How to Satisfy Your Cravings in a Healthy Way

Do you ever get a hankering for pizza?

This happens to me ALL THE TIME.

So when it does, I usually toast a piece of fluffy French bread — and top it off with roasted tomatoes, fresh basil, and vegan parmesan cheese.

And it’s honestly delicious!

See, you totally CAN satisfy your cravings in a healthy way.

In fact, I believe in giving in to cravings on occasion is KEY to a sustainable diet.

From where I stand, there’s nothing worse than restrictive diets…

I know from experience. Any time I’ve tried to deprive myself of a certain food, I usually end up overindulging in it.

And all the studies I read say the same thing:

Restrictive diets usually lead to overeating in the long run.¹

The total opposite of what you’re going for.

So rather than depriving yourself of your favorite foods…

I strongly recommend you find a way to satisfy that craving in a healthy way —

Like I did last night with my “pizza toast.”

(Of course, you may want to indulge in real pizza every once in a while… and that’s totally OK!)

The truth is, satisfying your cravings can help set you up for long-term success when it comes to healthy eating.

Here’s a quick list of a few of my favorite craving swaps —

AKA healthier versions of a certain “junk” food.

Maggie Q’s Craving Swaps

Craving pizza? ➡️  Try toast with roasted tomatoes and parmesan.

Craving ice cream? ➡️  Try a peanut butter banana smoothie.

Craving french fries? ➡️  Try baby carrots and hummus.

Craving fried rice? ➡️  Try brown rice with grilled tofu and veggies.

Craving a cheeseburger? ➡️  Try a black bean burger topped with avocado.

Craving potato chips? ➡️  Try lightly salted popcorn or nuts.

Cravings something else? Don’t be afraid to get creative.

There’s always going to be a way you can take your favorite “junk foods” and make them healthier.

And if you try any of my craving hacks above, let me know how you like them.

I’m having some lightly salted popcorn as we speak!

As always, I’m in your corner. 🙂

Now, before I go, I wanted to share one of my absolute favorite craving swaps.
You see, during the summer months, I LOVE gathering around the grill with my friends and family and cooking some delicious barbeque.

But thanks to tons of nasty sugars and preservatives in sauces, meats, and other popular barbecues staples —

Most of us have experienced that dreadful, almost unavoidable post-barbecue bloat and sluggishness.

But I’m here to tell you — you can enjoy your favorite barbecue flavors WITHOUT dealing with relentless tummy discomfort…

With my delicious, homemade tofu veggie skewers.

Not only are they super affordable and easy to make…

They’re packed with that classic BBQ flavor AND tons of protein and fiber — so you feel full and satisfied.

And because they’re loaded with tasty veggies, you’ll feel lightweight and energetic, even after eating.

(I make these every summer, and they’re always a huge hit with my family.)

So without further ado…

I’d love to share my go-to summer barbecue recipe with you:

Maggie’s BBQ Tofu Veggie Skewers
Makes: 4-6 skewers

Ingredients

For skewers:

• 1 orange bell pepper
• 10 crimini mushrooms, whole
• 1 red onion
• 2 zucchini
• Block of tofu (extra firm)
• Optional: Chopped pineapple

For Marinade:

• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 3 tbsp organic ketchup
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp sriracha

Instructions:

1. Mix all your marinade ingredients into a bowl until well-combined.
2. Chop bell pepper, onion, and zucchini into thick slices.
3. Cut tofu into thick cubes, about 1 inch by 1 inch. (Cutting them too small can cause them to crumble on the grill.)
4. Toss your veggies and tofu into your marinade, and let it sit for 1-2 hours to maximize flavor. (The longer it marinates, the better it’ll taste.)
5. Assemble veggies and tofu (alternating) onto metal or wooden skewers. (Note: Soak wooden skewers in water to prevent burning.)
6. Place on grill for 3-5 minutes on each side, or until veggies and tofu are charred to your preference.

These tofu veggie skewers are the perfect barbecue food — and here’s why:

Tofu is known to absorb flavors really well, and it has a soft meat-like texture that’s perfect for grilling…

And nutritionally, it’s low in calories, but high in protein and fiber — which can help keep you nourished and full, while still allowing you to feel slim.

Plus, it’s totally customizable, so feel free to add or omit any veggies to match your preferences…

Just remember, the more colorful veggies, the more attractive your presentation will be.

And lastly, this homemade barbecue sauce contains no nasty preservatives or chemicals, so you can enjoy your grilling session guilt-free.

But the best part is, these BBQ skewers are just as satisfying as a burger, without any of the bloat.

Enjoy!

P.S. Another craving swap I’ve been loving?

Frozen grapes. 🍇

If you like sour candy — toss some grapes in the freezer to snack on whenever a sugar craving hits.

It’s one of the most convenient, healthy ways to satisfy a craving for sweets — and best of all, it’s loaded with nutrients.

One cup of grapes has only about 100 calories, yet it has tons of copper, which helps support long-lasting energy… and B vitamins, great for a healthy metabolism.²

Sources:
1. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/restricting-sugary-food-may-lead-overeating
2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/271156