12 Comfort Food Makeovers To Help Keep Your Diet Resolutions

Comfort food is nothing short of delicious.

After all, it is by definition the dishes that make you nostalgic for years past.

But there's something you may not realize about comfort food.

It’s also characterized by a heavy load of carbohydrates, sugar and fat, which can send your daily recommended intake way out of whack.

But the good news is, we’ve found 12 ways to lighten up some of your favorite classics, including chili, fries and pasta.

Oh, and of course, some dessert.

Whip up one (or a few) of these comfort food recipes this week:

Starters And Snacks

1. Vegan Artichoke Dip

It tastes just like your favorite restaurant-style, everyone-gets-a-bite appetizer dip, but is significantly lower in calories and fat because it’s dairy-free.

Instead, white beans lend the appetizer its creamy texture, and garlic, shallots and lemons give it the delicious taste.

2. Spice Sweet Potato Fries With Avocado Dip

Baking these sweet potatoes saves you a ton of fat, but the end product is just as tasty.

Plus, it’s antioxidant-packed with vitamins A and C too.

Main Dishes

3. Turkey Chili

Serve up a warm bowl of this chili for a crowd-pleasing meal.

Skip the sour cream and shredded cheese. Instead, try Daiya Vegan Shreds and a dollop of Greek yogurt for a similar taste with significantly less fat.

4. Crispy Oven “Fried” Chicken

Without even thinking, you can save 150 calories and 10 grams of fat per drumstick by removing the skin, coating the chicken in gluten-free corn flakes and using olive oil cooking spray.

5. Protein-Packed Mac And Cheese

Don’t knock this trick ‘til you try it, but the best way to make good old mac and cheese may surprise you.

Just add eggs.

It cuts down on the carbs, and adds protein.

6. Vegetarian Black Bean Burgers

There’s nothing like a juicy burger, but when you’re looking to lighten things up, a ground beef patty isn’t the place to start (especially if you keep last summer’s recall in mind).

With black beans, you’ll get just as much protein without the saturated fat.

Score.

7. Healthier Grilled Cheese

If grilled cheese doesn’t bring you back to your lunchbox days, we’re not sure what will.

But thanks to sprouted whole-grain bread, low-fat cheese and a handful of greens, you’ve also got a ton of nutrients.

So adult-like. 

8. Zucchini Noodles And Meatballs

Ahhh, zoodles: They’re the greatest thing since sliced bread. Kinda literally.

Using the veggie in place of pasta ups the fiber content. It also adds a hit of folate, which supports metabolism.

The magnesium plays a major role in sleep, too.

9. Low-Carb BLT

This carb-free wrap showcases what we love most about BLTs: bacon.

Swapping mayo for a slice of avocado and a hard-boiled egg replaces the spread’s bad fats with good ones, and the lettuce wrap circumvents the need for bread altogether.

10. Mini Meatloafs

Just like mom made them, except these are cuter.

More importantly, our version is far healthier, as it swaps out the veal and pork for lean turkey.

The bite-sized pieces help keep your portion sizes in check too.

Desserts

11. Frosty Protein Shake

Remember that fast-food shake you’d get as a kid?

This is the adult version, souped up with plant-based Fuel-6 protein powder.

Add a potassium-rich banana and a few other basics.

Dessert is done.

12. Chocolate Molten Lava Cake

Believe it: This gluten-free, five-minute microwave mug cake is under 300 calories per serving, making it a ridiculously satisfying treat that equals a fraction of its less-healthy predecessor.

The secret ingredient? Fuel-6, of course.