Using Different Foods to Change Up Your Meals

I love food! I love that there are so many different foods with unique flavors and I love them even more since I’ve dedicated myself to a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy can sometimes leave us in a rut, eating the same things over and over, but it doesn’t have to be like that! I’ve got a few different foods I like to add to the meal plan when I start to feel repetitive with my eating habits. I’m sure you have felt this way before too, so I’m going to share some different foods and options that you could try.

Spaghetti Squash. Okay, the reason I love using spaghetti squash when I need to incorporate different foods is because of all the options for sauces! You can make a tasty pesto when you want a savory dish, or add a brown sugar and cinnamon glaze for a sweet treat.

Bulgur. Bulgur is a wheat grain that is high in fiber and low in fat and calories. It’s great to use in place of different foods like rice or couscous. You can add spices to it, pair it with a stir fry or find a tabouli salad recipe to enjoy.

Spice it up! Experiment! Spices really add flavor to different foods. Experiment with a few different spice combinations, like cinnamon and sage or chili powder and lemon peel. Peruse the internet to find the most interesting combinations and give them a try.

Ethnic Foods. Visit a few restaurants or grocery stores that feature ethnic foods, they are sure to have some great flavors! Go find a cool Thai restaurant or an Indian restaurant and see what they have to offer. If you like something, experiment with recipes at home to duplicate the flavor.  

Splurge. Okay, this isn’t actually a specific food, but it helps change up the different foods you eat. Splurge on something that is healthy and delicious, like a nice lobster dinner. You can go out, or prepare the lobster yourself if you’re feeling extra motivated.

Combinations. Think about things you really love and how you can incorporate them into different foods. For example, when the kids are feeling bored with their lunches, I’ll pop in something like an apple, peanut butter sandwich or wrap a pancake around some fruit to give them a healthy change in their meal. Or, just change the shape, try spiraling some carrots into noodles for a stir fry or soup.

So, which different foods are you going to incorporate into your meal plans this week? Let me know what interesting foods are your favorite!