I love making my family’s favorite meals. But if you are anything like me, then you feel guilty when they aren’t the healthiest of options. The trick is overhauling an unhealthy favorite into a healthy and nutritious option without losing the flavor.
My husband loves hot wings, and while the ones at bars and restaurants are good, they're deep fried and the dip is super fattening; I don’t need to see the nutrition label to know that I'm consuming a whole week’s worth of calories!
Here are some calorie-saving, unhealthy to healthy options that don’t skimp on flavor:
Bake the chicken
Whether you are using breasts for a sandwich or the traditional wing, baking the chicken saves you from not only dirtying your kitchen, but also calories.
Eat the Veggies
Most hot wings are served with carrots and celery, do the same at home.
Make Your Own Dip
To cut calories I use Greek yogurt and low-fat sour cream and get added flavor from green onions. Check it out my own delicious Anna’s Blue Cheese Dip recipe.
Use a whole wheat bun if making a sandwich.
Another tasty "unhealthy made healthy" option is this delicious Hot Wing Pasta Salad that I created. I have seen this dish served at grocery store delis, and while it's yummy, I know the store-bought version is loaded with fat and calories. I'm not a nutritionist, but I'm sure the simple changes I've made save my family some calories. And the best part, my husband loves it!
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