Make these healthy food swaps to boost your diet and help you lose weight

If you’ve made a plan to lose weight, it can be tricky to know where to start. But actually, even small tweaks to your diet can have a positive impact in the long-term. Start by having a look in your fridge. Is there anything in there that you could swap for a healthier alternative? Swapping one type of food for a healthy option can have a couple of benefits. For one, it helps make the meals you eat more nutritious. Secondly, it helps you to cut down on the number of calories you eat.

Here's a quick list of 10 healthy food swaps you can make. Plus, 2 simple recipes to get you started, both of which you can make in your FlavorStone Pan. The FlavorStone Pan is a really handy tool for cooking if you’re trying to lose weight. The diamond-tough non-stick coating means you can cook with no oil at all.

Meat

Swap out meat either for vegetarian or plant-based alternatives. For example, if you’re making a ragu, swap out half the meat for a can of green lentils.

Cheese

There are lots of really good vegan alternatives to cheese, if you’re looking to cut down on dairy. Or, simply swap for a low-fat cottage cheese or cheddar.

Mayonnaise

If you’re a mayo-on-everything kind of person, try this healthy alternative. Mash in an avocado or whip up your own creamy dressing using olive oil, yoghurt and herbs.

Fruit juice

Though not unhealthy per se, it’s healthier to eat a piece of fruit in the morning, than it is to drink a glass of juice. The whole fruit has less sugar and more fibre.

Potato

Try swapping normal potatoes for sweet potatoes. They’re much more nutritious, especially if you cook them with the skin left on.

Pizza

If you’re normally a deep-pan pizza lover, try switching to a thin crust instead. Or better yet, try making your own pizza using wraps and your own homemade pizza sauce.

Fish fingers

Try experimenting with different types of fish. Rather than breadcrumbs, try baking your fish in foil with herbs and a splash of olive oil.

Quiche

While eggs are nutritious, the buttery pastry on a quiche is quite fatty. Instead, try cooking yourself an omelette or better yet a frittata.

Burgers

Instead of your usual quarter-pounder, switch to a grilled chicken wrap. Chicken is much leaner than beef, plus you get extra brownie points for adding salad.

Pasta

Rather than reaching for the pasta for your mid-week meal, make a healthier choice by going for courgetti instead.

Super-simple courgetti ‘pasta’

What you need

4 small-ish courgettes

1 medium red onion

2 tablespoons of shop-bought breadcrumbs

1 lemon

What you do

Use a speed peeler to slice the courgettes into ribbons, lengthways

Add the onions to your FlavorStone Pan and fry over a medium heat for 3 minutes

Spread out the courgette ribbons in the pan and keep frying for 2 minutes

Transfer onto a platter, wipe out the FlavorStone Pan, then add the breadcrumbs and toast until golden

Sprinkle over the courgetti, along with the fresh zest of a lemon

Asparagus and potato frittata

What you need

200g new potatoes cut into quarters

1 small bunch asparagus tips

1 tbsp olive oil

1 onion

6 eggs

50g cheddar

Salad leaves to serve

What you do

Pre-heat your grill, so it’s nice and hot.

Boil the potatoes in salted water for 5 minutes until nearly tender.

Chop the asparagus and add to the potatoes for the last minute of cooking, then drain in a colander.

Meanwhile, fry the onion in your FlavorStone Pan until softened and golden.

Beat the eggs in a bowl and grate in ½ the cheese – season well

Pour over the onions, then add the asparagus and potatoes and top with the rest of the cheese.

Place your FlavorStone Pan under the grill and cook until golden.

For more simple yet healthy re3cipes you can do in your FlavorStone Pan, visit our complete recipe collection here.