Sometimes it’s hard to resist our favourite feasts. But these days there are so many alternatives available at almost any supermarket, it’s easy to go for low calorie options that might be a little more macro-friendly or supportive of your nutrition goals. So if you’re struggling to cram your cals and/or meet your macros at the end of the day, here are some snazzy substitutes that will please your palate and meet your macros.

 

At the end of 2019, @themethodnow posted a ‘Summer BBQ swaps’ info graphic on Insta + our app, and this is a great place to start on this topic. Let’s revisit:

 

Classic beef snags (406 cals) vs ‘Extra Lean’ beef snags (191 cals)

Wholemeal seeded bun (247 cals) vs Brioche (155 cals)

Pre-made creamy pasta salad (311 cals) vs Fresh garden salad (87 cals)

 

The difference is huge, but the substitution is so easy! The meat section of most supermarkets will usually have these options right next to each other; the bakery aisle is an easy one to navigate; and these days, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to quality ingredient pre-made salads, if you can’t be bothered grabbing a bag of spinach and a punnet of cherry tomatoes (hey, no judgment).

 

Got a sweet spot for the sweet stuff? If you’ve got a blender, you’ve got nicecream. With all the frozen berries and coconut, peaches and banana chunks (you name it!) available in the freezer section now, you can blitz your faves into a healthy sweet treat after dinner…or any time! Add protein powder, chia seeds and any other super sprinkles to take your bowl beyond.

 

Got a penchant for pasta, but need more protein and less carbs around dinner time? Meet pulse pasta! San Remo’s pulse penne has 21g of protein and just under 57g of carbs per 100g – and it’s damn delicious! It’s serves almost 8g of fibre, too, and is made up of so much good stuff (lentils, peas, borlotti beans and chickpeas) you’ll never look back after making the switch. There are lots of other options and colours and ingredients to suit your dish (red lentils, chickpeas, green peas), so you can be even more creative in the kitchen with your favourite pasta dishes.

 

Is there anything better than bread? Not in our opinion! But if you’re after a nutritious tasty toastable, try pumpernickel or Ezekiel breads. They’re a little *different* and very dense, but they’re packed with goodness and do wonderful things with eggs and avocado.

 

If a glass of wine is your favourite way to wind down, try switching it up with kombucha a couple of nights a week. Good for your gut and low in sugar, it’s not a hard sell when it comes to the benefits of this wonder drink.

 

Remember to read nutrition labels carefully and don’t necessarily believe everything the pretty marketing is telling you. You might find some awesome swaps without the words “lean” and “fat free” on the front (another hint: take a look at the back of the packets of various Hokkien noodles…). If you’ve got any other substitute suggestions, share them with our other Method members on the group Facebook page. It’s always great to find a way to replace your vice with something that tastes just as nice!