When it comes to ingredient substitutions, it’s all about negotiation. How much of the food’s original texture and taste are you willing to omit in the name of healthy eating? For some people, swapping out an ingredient or two is enough. For others, the challenge of creating a lightened-up version of an ultra-rich favourite meal is an exciting challenge. Whatever your approach to ingredient substitution, remember that WW is all about flexibility. When you’re in the mood for the original and nothing else will do, enjoy without guilt and continue on your weight loss journey.
Healthier hamburgers
Whether you’re a fan of drive-thru burgers or you love grilling them in your own backyard, there’s no denying the lip-smacking appeal of a juicy burger! The following substitutions can be made individually, or you can create a totally unique burger with all-new ingredients.
- In lieu of traditional beef patties: grilled chicken breasts or burgers, grilled salmon or shrimp burgers, homemade or store-bought veggie burgers, grilled or roasted whole portobello mushrooms, baked falafel, or a thick round of grilled pineapple.
- Instead of traditional hamburger buns: pita bread, whole grain rolls, or iceberg lettuce.
- Flavourful condiments and toppings: Dijon mustard (or any other mustard), relish, hummus, tzatziki, sprouts, pickled vegetables, barbecue sauce, or turkey bacon.
Try these reimagined recipes the next time you’re craving a burger:
Pizzas with pizzazz
When it comes to pizza, the possibilities are endless! You don’t need a fancy pizza stone or oven to make a swoon-worthy pie at home, only a willingness to experiment with pizza crusts and toppings.
- Make a satisfying pizza crust out of these everyday ingredients: pitas, tortillas, rice cakes, grilled vegetables (especially eggplant and zucchini rounds), steamed or grated cauliflower, flatbread, naan, or chapati (or any other flatbread you love.)
- Cheese is an integral topping for many pizzas so if it’s something you enjoy, don’t skip it! Instead, use smaller amounts of stronger cheeses such as blue cheese, parmesan, aged gouda, or aged cheddar. Tear apart or crumble creamy cheeses such as feta, ricotta salata, fresh mozzarella, or burrata. Add ricotta, queso fresco and chevré by the teaspoon, making sure to distribute evenly across the pizza.
- Use meat sparingly, bulking up the pizza with ZeroPoint foods like peppers, broccoli, sliced tomatoes, greens, zucchini, eggplant, canned or frozen artichokes, asparagus, or fresh figs.
Skip the delivery and try one of these praise-worthy pizza recipes:
Nachos
When you order nachos they typically arrive piled high with cheese and ground beef, but when nachos are made at home the sky’s the limit in terms of healthier options.
Rethink your nacho chip choices and try these sturdy options instead: roasted vegetables, baked tortillas or pita bread, mini rice cakes, or bean-based chips.
Pile homemade nachos with these delicious toppings: cooked and drained ground chicken or turkey, shredded chicken breasts, crumbled tofu or TVP (textured vegetable protein), fresh or frozen veggies, chopped cilantro, sliced olives, pickled spicy peppers, chipotle peppers, canned beans, low fat shredded cheese, or crumbled cotija cheese.
These easy-to-make nacho accompaniments are big on flavour but have fewer SmartPoints values and less sodium than the original: Pea Guacamole, Refried Pinto Beans, Easy Pico de Gallo, or mix plain low fat yogurt with low-sodium taco seasoning for a 2-ingredient nacho dip.