Clean Eating Hacks

We’ve all heard of the idea of “hacks” – life hacks to make everything easier, kitchen hacks to help you stay healthy, cooking hacks to make dinner a breeze, clothing hacks to keep you looking good, organizing hacks to make your life efficient, etc. There is a list of tips and tricks for everything. When you search for clean eating hacks, you are going to find a lot of misinformation and confusing tips, so here is a list of some healthy and clean recipes that hack the clean eating system. 

This first recipe takes one of the most unhealthy foods you can think of and makes it clean and healthy – Zucchini Nachos. All it takes is some zucchini slices to get your started. Use 1-2 large zucchinis and cut them into slices. You can bake them (spray cookie sheets with cooking spray and lay the slices in a single layer on the sheets then spray the zucchini with cooking spray and bake for about 7 minutes at 375 or until they are crisp) or grill them (spray slices with cooking spray and grill for about 5 minutes on each side) then add your favorite toppings (no more than a 1/4 of a cup of each) – diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, diced onion, jalapeño, black beans and low fat cheese. You can even sprinkle the zucchini with some dry seasoning or spices before you cook them for extra flavor. 

If you love turkey, chicken or veggie burgers you are going to love this recipe. It swaps the burger bun with portobello mushrooms and the result is a tasty hack on a summer staple. Take two large portobello mushrooms and clean their tops with a damp paper towel. Remove the stem and scrape out the grills from the undersides. In a bowl, mix 2 grated garlic cloves with 1 tbsp of oil and 2 tablespoons of red vinegar. Marinate the mushrooms in the mixture for anywhere from 30 minutes to 1-2 hours if you have the time. Flip them at least once while marinating. Once they are marinated, sprinkle them with a little salt and pepper and grill them on high or medium high heat on your grill for 4-7 minutes on each side. Remove from the grill and add some toppings of your choice – onions, tomato, lettuce, mustard and 1/2 avocado or 1 slice of low fat cheese.  

We’ve probably all heard about mashed cauliflower as an alternative to mashed potatoes by now, but what about using cauliflower in a popsicle? It may sound strange, but pureed cauliflower is a perfect neutral base for a creamy fugdscile-like treat. For this recipe, take one cup of cauliflower and boil or steam it until it is soft, then rinse and drain it under cold water to stop it from cooking. Blend the cauliflower in a blender with 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon unsweetened vanilla almond milk, a pinch of cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon of brewed coffee that has been cooled (optional). Pour the mixture into molds or paper cups and freeze until solid. You will be surprised when you taste them and you won’t believe your dessert has vegetables in it! 

Another savory food can be found in this sweet recipe – Avocado Chocolate Pudding. This gluten and dairy free recipe might even fool your kids if you decide to share! This recipe makes 2 servings and all it takes is 1 avocado, 1/4 cup of cocoa powder, 1/4 cup of agave and 1/4 cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk. Blend everything in a food processor or blender until completely combined. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours then enjoy this protein packed snack.

Missing ice cream, frozen yogurt or sorbet? This recipe is so crazy simple and easy you will want to try it immediately – Fruit Sorbet. Simply freeze 1 cup of any fruit (grapes, berries, and watermelon all work great) then puree them in a blender until smooth and enjoy! Frozen grapes as they are are also a great snack in the summer heat. 

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018