Autumn Healthy Comfort Food Without Sabotaging Your Weight Loss

Healthy Eating, Healthy Recipes, Weight Loss and Healthy Tips

How can you enjoy healthy comfort food without sabotaging your weight loss? As the temperatures drop, many of us crave warm, hearty meals that offer comfort and satisfaction. However, indulging in rich dishes doesn’t have to mean derailing your weight loss journey. With some smart swaps and mindful choices, you can enjoy healthy comfort food all season long. Whether you’re looking for healthy comfort food recipes or simply want tips for making your favourite dishes more nutritious, we’ve got you covered.

Why Comfort Food Doesn’t Have to Be Unhealthy – Top Tips & Swaps

Making healthy comfort food doesn’t have to be a struggle! The idea of comfort food often brings to mind rich, creamy, or carb-heavy meals that can pack on the calories. But comfort food can be healthy and still taste delicious. The key is to focus on fresh ingredients, balanced portions, and healthier cooking methods. That way, you can create comfort food that’s healthy without sacrificing the flavour or satisfaction you get from enjoying a hearty meal.

Here are some top tips and swaps to help you enjoy healthy comfort meals:

Go Whole Grain
Swap white bread, pasta, or rice for whole grain versions. This adds fibre and helps keep you full longer.

Load Up On Veggies
Incorporate a variety of vegetables into your meals. They add volume and nutrition without the extra calories.

Lean Protein Is Key
Opt for lean proteins like chicken, turkey, tofu, or legumes. These provide satiety without the extra fat found in processed meats.

Mind Your Fats
Choose healthy fats such as olive oil, avocado, and nuts. Avoid heavy cream or butter when possible.

Watch Your Portions
Even with healthy ingredients, it’s important to be mindful of your portion sizes – check out our portion size guide.

Healthy Comfort Food Recipes

Let’s dive into three delicious healthy comfort food recipes that are perfect for the colder months.

Hearty Autumn Vegetable Stew

Nothing says autumn like a warm, hearty stew. This healthy stew is packed with seasonal vegetables and can be enjoyed guilt-free.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp Olive Oil
1 Onion, Chopped
3 Crushed Garlic Cloves
2 Carrots, Chopped
2 Celery Stalks, Chopped
2 Sweet Potatoes, Cubed
1 Courgette, Sliced
1 Can of Chickpeas, Drained
1 Can of Diced Tomatoes
4 Cups Low-Sodium Vegetable Broth
1 tsp Thyme
1 tsp Smoked Paprika
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Fresh Parsley for Garnish

Tip: For extra protein, add cooked quinoa or lean turkey. You can also swap out veggies based on what you have on hand!

Directions:

1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic until fragrant.

2. Add the carrots, celery, and sweet potatoes. Cook for about 5 minutes.

3. Stir in the courgette, chickpeas, tomatoes, and vegetable broth.

4. Season with thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

5. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Healthy Chicken Pot Pie

This lighter take on a classic comfort dish makes it a perfect addition to your collection of healthy comfort meals.

Ingredients:

2 Cups Shredded Cooked Chicken Breast
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1 Onion, Diced
2 Crushed Garlic Cloves
2 Cups Mixed Vegetables (Peas, Carrots, Corn)
1 ½ Cups Low-Sodium Chicken Broth
1 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
2 tbsp Whole Wheat Flour
1 tsp Thyme
1 tsp Black Pepper
1 Whole Wheat Pie Pastry (Store-Bought or Homemade)

Tip: For a vegetarian version, swap the chicken for tofu or tempeh and use vegetable broth.

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.

2. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté the onion and garlic until soft.

3. Add the mixed vegetables and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the flour to thicken.

4. Slowly pour in the chicken broth and almond milk, whisking to avoid lumps.

5. Stir in the shredded chicken, thyme, and pepper. Simmer until the mixture thickens.

6. Pour the filling into a baking dish and top with the pie pastry. Bake for 25 minutes or until the crust is golden.

Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie

This dish is the perfect hearty meal for those looking for a healthy vegetarian comfort food recipe.

Ingredients:

1 Cup Dried Lentils
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1 Onion, Chopped
2 Garlic Cloves, Minced
1 Carrot, Diced
1 Cup Mushrooms, Sliced
1 tsp Thyme
1 tbsp Tomato Paste
2 Cups Vegetable Broth
4 Medium Potatoes, Peeled and Cubed
2 tbsp Unsweetened Almond Milk
1 tbsp Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Tip: For added crunch, sprinkle breadcrumbs or a little low-fat hard cheese on top of the mashed potatoes before baking.

Directions:

1. Cook the lentils according to package instructions. Set aside.

2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion, garlic, carrot, and mushrooms until softened.

3. Stir in the thyme and tomato paste, then add the vegetable broth and cooked lentils. Simmer for 10 minutes until the mixture thickens.

4. Meanwhile, boil the potatoes until tender. Mash them with almond milk, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

5. In a baking dish, spread the lentil mixture evenly, then top with mashed potatoes. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Keep Track of Your Progress

While enjoying these healthy comfort food recipes, it’s important to keep an eye on your overall health. A great way to monitor your weight management goals is by regularly checking your BMI (Body Mass Index).

Using our BMI chart, you can easily figure out where you stand. We also have a handy BMI calculator that gives instant results. This tool can help you stay on track with your weight loss goals while still enjoying your delicious, healthy comfort foods.