Healthy Eating Made Simple: Five Easy Swaps

Creating a healthy meal plan at home can be both confusing and overwhelming with the vast information available online. What to eat, what not to eat, and conflicting advice from one website to the next. At Sequoia Living, residents benefit from the community’s in-house nutrition experts. Embarking on a healthy eating journey becomes easier once you move to a Life Plan Community. 

Here are five easy swaps that are perfect for our bodies to stay healthy as they age.

Enjoy Nuts Instead of Potato Chips for a Salty Crunch. 

When that irresistible craving for salty snacks strikes, consider reaching for a handful of nuts instead of potato chips. Not only will you enjoy a satisfying crunch, but you’ll also skip the saturated and trans fats and refined carbs that can increase the risk of heart disease. Nuts are like nature’s superfood, offering protein, essential vitamins, fiber, and heart-healthy fats that can safeguard your well-being. 

Indulge in Dark Chocolate for Your Sweet Tooth. 

Dark chocolate is a great alternative to satisfy your sweet tooth instead of traditional treats that are very high in trans fats and sugar. Dark chocolate is not only delicious, it has hidden health benefits! Packed with antioxidants and flavonoids, it can also help reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and diminish other risk factors for heart disease. 

Swap Carbs With Cauliflower. 

Cauliflower is a wonderfully versatile and low-carb alternative that is growing in popularity as a way to help cut down on carbohydrates. It is a popular option to replace rice, mashed potatoes, or even pizza crust. Packed with fiber, cauliflower can help maintain a balanced diet while still enjoying your favorite pizza. 

Sip Sparkling Water instead of Soda. 

Choosing sparkling water or seltzer infused with natural flavors like lemon, lime, blueberry, or strawberry provides the same delightful, fizzy, and flavorful bubbles as sodas but without the added sugar and calories. Add a few pieces of fresh-cut fruit to your glass for a fun, tropical feeling with your beverage. 

Give Meatless Mondays a Try. 

Enjoying a plant-based diet, even periodically, has been shown to support heart health by lowering blood pressure and improving cholesterol. Simple swaps like tofu, black beans, and chickpeas provide delicious meat-free alternatives. Large portobello mushroom caps also make a great burger! 

At Sequoia Living, we are proud to partner with Morrison Living’s culinary professionals to bring the best nutritional offerings to our residents. 

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