To get started ask your self this. Are you ready to step into clean eating? If the answer is yes let me help you! Today I’m putting a list together of my favorite items that helped me make “healthy a lifestyle” a change for the better.

Replacing Dairy

The first thing I had to figure out is what was keeping me from clean eating. My issue and alot of others issue is dairy. So how do you continue if you can’t live without dairy? You find substitutions here are three of my favorite alternatives to replace dairy.

#1 Diaya cheese There are tons of options using this cheese. You can get shredded, sliced…and many more. I didn’t put any other dairy free cheeses on here because to me this is the only dairy free cheese that is really like real cheese. It melts and taste just like real cheese. You would not be disappointed. I use this making pastas, Mexican dishes, you can make nachos with it. It is made without soy. That is one of the main reasons I love using it.

#2 is Dairy free butter
There are tons of options for dairy free butter. My favorite ones have no soy. You can get sticks for cooking and, baking. It taste and melts just like real butter you really cannot taste a difference. I think it’s amazing. I was afraid of going dairy free because I thought that it would not work right or taste funny. I love using it. Definitely a must have for going dairy free.

#3 Is Dairy free milk
My favorite dairy free milk is almond milk. You can choose unsweet, sweet, vanilla, chocolate. I love using the unsweet in my cooking and baking. All my kids have some kind of dairy allergy so they use almond milk too. My youngest daughter switched to vanilla almond milk when she was 1 years old. The doctor approved of this. It is very nutritious even for a 1 year old being weaned off of formula.
Another milk I like to use is coconut milk. This milk is creamer than almond. I love using it in pastas or making creamy chicken recipies. I have made an amazing chicken Alfredo with coconut milk.  I put it in my tea. I have used it to make ice cream too.

Sweeteners

Next we have discus sweeteners. Everyone uses some kind of sweeteners, but are using ones or ones will damage your health? Let me help you choose some that will help you. Here are some of my favorites.

#1 Coconut sugar
Coconut sugar is a good substitute for brown sugar. The consistency is just not right to replace white sugar. I like using this to make homemade baked beans. You can use it to make brownies, cinimon rolls and some other baked goods.

#2 Agave nectar
Agave nectar is what I use in place of white sugar, honey, and syrup. I love this it is a low glycemic sweetener making it a better choice for you and your kids! I use it in baking, teas, protien snacks and in place of syrup for pancakes, waffles crepes or when a recipe calls for maple syrup or honey.

Wheat/gluten free flours

#1 King Arthur’s Gluten Free flour is one of my favorites for all purpose gluten free flour. Another all purpose is Red Bob mill flour you can use both of these in place of regular flour. You can use it for anything and everything you use regular flour for. It’s a great alternative.

#2 Oat flour This is one of my favorites because oat flour has tons vitamins & minerals,  fiber and antioxidants it lowers your blood sugar and reduces risk for heart disease. This is one of the healthiest alternatives for flour. I love using this one for making snacks for my kids.

Oils

Everyone that does any cooking or baking knows you have to use some kind of oils for cooking. Which ones should you use? Here are some better options for you.

#1 Olive oil Extra virgin olive oil is one of the best oils to use for sauteing vegetables, in sauces or making your own dressings.   I love using this one. It is rich in antioxidants. 

#2 Avacado oil This is another one of my favorites to use. It enhances absorption of nutrients, reduces cholesterol and lowers blood pressure . I love using this one when baking veggies. This one is also great for making dressings.

#3 Next is on my favorites list is  Coconut oil. Coconut oil has healthy fatty acids. It reduces hunger and it’s good for keeping your blood sugar in check.  If your trying to lose weight or just trying to maintain a healthy weight this is the oil you should use. I love using this for baking treats and making a healthy chocolate protien candy is my favorite.

These are my must haves that help me keep my healthy lifestyle going. This could be some big changes for some. Start by cutting things out and replacing them with some of the things I mentioned above. This will get you on the right track for your healthy lifestyle.