Mastering the Art of Kicking Junk Food Habits

Who doesn’t get a hankering for junk food now and then? Don’t worry! Let’s talk about how to ditch junk food by swapping it with some tasty alternatives, which can help you enjoy the upcoming holidays without guilt.

Junk food has become a big part of our lives, even though we know it’s not great for us. It might tickle our taste buds, but it does nothing for our health, and that’s where the problem lies. We often think we have to choose flavor over nutrition, but that’s not always true. There are ways to kick the junk food habit.

Start by putting healthier snacks within easy reach for you and everyone in the house. The appeal of junk food often comes from how available it is, so having healthier options handy can make a big difference.

Keep track of every time you give in to junk food cravings. Research suggests that having visible reminders of moments you’d rather forget can actually discourage you from repeating them.

Most importantly, learn how to make delicious yet healthier snacks to replace the junk food in your kitchen. You can’t just remove junk food without replacing it—that’s a surefire way to slip back into old habits. If you’re not sure where to start, here are some tasty and healthy snack ideas that everyone in the family will love:

Start with a tasty dip that pairs perfectly with crunchy snacks like celery. To make this, start with kefir, which is healthier than yogurt due to its higher nutrient and probiotic content. If you know how to ferment kefir, follow your usual process but be sure to taste it regularly to prevent it from becoming too sour.

If you’re new to fermenting, just add kefir grains to regular milk and let it sit for 24 hours. Once it’s ready, pour the kefir through a cheesecloth set over a bowl to drain until it reaches the desired consistency. Then, mix ½ cup of peanut butter, 2/3 cup of your freshly prepared kefir, and 2 teaspoons of maple syrup in a bowl. Add a pinch of salt and cinnamon, and blend everything together. Serve this creamy dip with cut veggies and fruit.

Even the pickiest eaters might be tempted to try this veggie-packed popsicle. Take ½ cup of kale, ½ cup of spinach, a peeled and pitted peach, a cup of chopped strawberries, and a cup of oranges. Chop the peach, combine all the ingredients in a food processor, pour into popsicle molds, and freeze. Feel free to experiment with different fruits or veggies.

Upgrade your banana snacks with some fun toppings. First, cut bananas in half and insert popsicle sticks. Coat each banana half with yogurt or kefir, or brush with a light layer of honey diluted in water if you want to skip dairy. Roll the bananas in a mix of rice crispies, mini-choco chips, and shredded coconut. Place them on wax paper and freeze.

For a quick sweet fix, mix golden raisins with shredded coconut using a food processor. Add a bit of water or tahini for a stickier texture, then roll the mixture into balls and coat in more coconut. Keep these in the fridge once done.

Soda might be a popular drink, but it’s not the healthiest. Try making your own soda using natural fruit juices combined with sparkling water (without added sugars).

Chips are tough to let go of, but with some crafty cooking, you might not have to. Many veggies and even starchy fruits like bananas can crisp up nicely. Kale or spinach are perfect for this. Take about 4 cups of chopped kale, spray with oil, and season with a mix of 1/3 tsp of salt, ½ tsp of garlic powder, and ¼ tsp of onion powder. Bake at 275°F for about 15 minutes, tossing halfway through. You can adjust the time based on your kale’s water content, but try not to exceed 20 minutes.

There you have it—five ways to cut down on junk food and chow down on healthier options! Give these recipes a try!