4 Ways to Make Your Favorite Junk Foods Healthier

We all know the cravings. The late night urges to devoir a pint of ice cream, the stress-induced need for French fries, the need to fill the spaghetti-sized hole in your heart, and the Sunday morning hangover cure of pancakes. The problem with these cravings is the calories that come with them. There's always been a struggle between fulfilling the craving and wanting your favorite skinny jeans to fit, but not anymore. Healthy versions of your favorite junk food, could it be? Have our prayers been answered? Yes they have, by me. 

Banana Ice Cream

• Prep Time:0
• Cook Time:5 mins
• Total Time:5 mins
• Servings:2
• Easy

Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas chopped and frozen

• Step 1

  Put the bananas in a blender, blend until smooth. Be patient and scrape down the edges as necessary.

  

• Step 2

  Add your favorite topping and enjoy!

  

Healthy Banana Pancakes

• Prep Time:5 mins
• Cook Time:10 mins
• Total Time:15 mins
• Servings:2
• Medium

Ingredients

• 1 cup oats
• 2 ripe bananas
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• Step 1

  Blend bananas and milk until smooth.

  

• Step 2

  Add the rest of the ingredients and blend.

  

• Step 3

  Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and allow the batter to thicken.

  

• Step 4

  Fry evenly spaced spoonfuls of the batter until golden brown. Add blueberries or chocolate chips if desired.

  

• Step 5

  Serve warm with your topping of choice.

  

Sweet Potato Fries

• Prep Time:10 mins
• Cook Time:25 mins
• Total Time:35 mins
• Servings:4
• Easy

Ingredients

• 2 large sweet potatoes
• olive oil
• salt
• pepper
• cinnamon optional

• Step 1

  Preheat the oven to 400ºF and cut the sweet potatoes into fry-sized wedges

  

• Step 2

  Toss the wedges in the oil, then season with salt, pepper, and cinnamon.
  Spray a baking sheet and arrange a single layer.

  

• Step 3

  Bake for 25 min or until golden brown. Toss throughout the baking time. Serve and enjoy!

  

Spaghetti Squash

• Prep Time:5 mins
• Cook Time:45 mins
• Total Time:50 mins
• Servings:2
• Medium

Ingredients

• 2-3 lb spaghetti squash
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• salt
• pepper

• Step 1

  Preheat the oven to 375ºF and cut the spaghetti squash in half. Scoop out the seeds, drizzle with oil, and season with salt and pepper.

  

• Step 2

  Place squash face down on baking sheet and bake 35-45 min, until tender.

  

• Step 3

  Let the squash cool and scrape out the inside, going with the grain, to expose, long, spaghetti like strands.

  

• Step 4

  Add a cheese sauce for a mac and cheese dish or pesto for a healthier pasta dish. Serve while warm.