Comfort Foods With A Healthy Twist

Comfort foods often get a bad rap, as many people perceive the ingredients that make them so delicious to also be unhealthy, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Here are a few simple swaps that you can use when you make your next comfort food meal.

Fall is chili cookoff season! Most chili contains meat such as ground beef, turkey or chicken but did you know that ground Portobello mushrooms contain the same flavor and consistency as ground meat? Portobello mushrooms are filled with vitamin D and selenium which may help with inflammation in the body. When looking at your recipe for chili try substituting half the meat in your recipe with ground Portobello mushrooms to help lower the calorie and fat content of your dish. Get started with this Pumpkin Poblano Chili.

Say cheese please! Macaroni and cheese is a staple for most families. There is just something about the rich, creamy texture and flavor that makes mac and cheese so tasty and comforting on a cool night. While traditional mac and cheese isn’t always the most nutrient-dense you can add some veggies to make it more nutritious. Butternut squash is an easy way to add flavor, fiber and other nutrients to your dish and naturally adds a golden hue to your mac and cheese making it picture-perfect. Try this Butternut Mac & Cheese recipe for dinner tonight!