Comfort foods are more tempting than ever during the cold winter months. Everybody has their own favorite foods to warm up to: hot apple cider, hot cocoa, a steaming bowl of soup, a warm slice of pie, or some freshly-baked cookies. Unfortunately, those comfort foods are typically not the best choices we can make for our body; luckily, there are a few quick substitutes we can make that will keep our winter diets as healthful and delicious as they can be.
Many recipes that are popular during the wintertime are cream-based, which means they add a helping or two of fat (and calories) that we just don’t need. Broth-based soups should be chosen over cream-based soups, bisques, or chowders. For example, at Uno Chicago Grill, a bowl of New England Clam Chowder or the Broccoli and Cheddar packs about 420 or 300 calories, respectively, while the Beef Barley or Veggie (both broth-based soups) have just 135 calories. In either case, the sodium content is something to be cautious of: all contain more than a third of the recommended maximum daily intake. The Broccoli and Cheddar is the worst offender, containing more than 1500 milligrams of sodium, about 2/3 of the recommended value. A bread bowl can make for a unique presentation of a bowl of soup, but it really goes without saying that this edible dinnerware should be avoided.
How about chicken pot pie? Everybody loves the scrumptious, creamy filling, but we all know that there are healthier choices. The high-fat crust on the top and bottom certainly doesn’t help the situation. If you’re filling up on some pot pie, leave the crust for last; you might not be hungry for it and are better off filling up on the insides of the pie. Better yet, satisfy a hankering for warm chicken with a salad topped with roasted chicken breast.
If you’re making a home-made chili, choose a lean meat (or none at all). Let the bulk of the substance come from beans and vegetables, and leave the cheese on the side.
I agree with those who argue that there’s no substitute for a good slice of pie or home-baked cookie. Sometimes, you just have to have one, but that’s exactly it – just have one. Most diets can handle a 200-calorie dessert, but not five of them. If you want to be really good, skip the pastries and treat yourself with a sweet piece of fruit. Citrus fruits are in their peak season. I bought a 5 lb. bag of grapefruit for just $3 at Shaw’s this past week. A light coating of sugar can transform a sour grapefruit into quite a sweet treat!
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