**Orginally published in The Christian Online Magazine, February 2013**
Many of you are already aware of the healthier options that exist in the culinary world, but just in case you need a refresher (because I know I forgot easily), I’ve decided to share a list of common food choices that have healthier alternatives. Browse through the list and see if there is anything new for you to try and let me know how those New Year’s Resolution recipes worked out for you (just click on “Temple Maintenance” to view past articles as well as leave your comments)!
Celebrate this Valentine’s Day with wise food choices–keeping your heart healthy and serving God by maintaining the temple He entrusted to you.
“’I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial…Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received of God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:12&19
Meals/Main Course Items:
First Choice: Ground Beef (Hamburgers, Sloppy Joes, Tacos…etc.)
Better Choice:Organic Grass-fed Beef (no fillers, hormones, or chemicals used)
Best Choice:Lentils and Black Beans (Veggie Burgers, Bean tacos, Sloppy Joes…etc.)
First Choice:Loaded Baked Potato
Better Choice:Mashed Potatoes
Best Choice:Mashed Steamed Cauliflower
First Choice:Traditional Pasta Noodles
Better Choice:Rice Noodles
Best Choice:Whole Wheat or Quinoa Noodles
First Choice:White Breads, Bagels, English Muffins, or Cereals
Better Choice:Whole Wheat Breads, Bagels, English Muffins, and Whole Grain Cereals
Best Choice:Sprouted Grain Breads, Bagels, English Muffins, and Cereals (i.e. Ezekiel™ brand)
First Choice:Flour Tortillas
Better Choice:Artisan Tortillas (Black Bean and Corn, Whole Wheat, Blue Corn and Flax…etc.)
Best Choice:Sprouted Grain Tortillas
First Choice:Jar Spaghetti Sauce
Better Choice:No Sugar Added Jar Spaghetti Sauce
Best Choice:Home Made Spaghetti Sauce (Organic Canned Tomato Sauce, Crushed Tomatoes, Tomato Paste and Spices/Herbs)
Snacks Items:
First Choice:Cake (Chocolate, Devil’s Food, Yellow, Vanilla…etc.)
Better Choice:Fruit/Veggie Breads (Zucchini Bread, Carrot Cake, Banana Bread…etc.)
Best Choice:Fruit/Veggie Bread with Substitutions (see below)
First Choice:Apple Slices, Grapes, Iceberg Lettuce Salad
Better Choice:Oranges, Bananas, Carrots, Mixed Salad (Iceberg and Romaine Lettuce)
Best Choice:Tomatoes, Fresh Organic Berries, Organic Leafy Lettuces (Spinach, Kale, Arugula, Radicchio…etc.)
First Choice:Chips
Better Choice:Popcorn
Best Choice:Raw seeds or nuts
First Choice:Candy Bars
Better Choice:Fruit Snacks (i.e. gummy bears)
Best Choice:Dried Fruit (i.e. dried pomegranates)
First Choice:Soda
Better Choice:Sparkling 100% Fruit Juice
Best Choice:Sparkling Water
Ingredient Substitutions:
First Choice:Eggs
Better Choice:Egg substitute (i.e. Egg Beaters™)
Best Choice:Ground Flax Seeds and Water (1 Tbsp. ground flax to 3 Tbsp. water)
First Choice:Vegetable Oil
Better Choice:Coconut Oil
Best Choice:Applesauce
First Choice:Refined Sugar
Better Choice:Agave Nectar or Organic Raw Sugar
Best Choice:Stevia
First Choice:Chocolate Chips
Better Choice:Baking Nuts
Best Choice:Dried Fruit, Raw Nuts and Seeds
Dips/Dressings:
First Choice:Store-bought Creamy Dressings (Ranch…etc.)
Better Choice:Store bought Italian or Vinaigrette Dressings
Best Choice:Home-Made Italian or Vinaigrette Dressings (Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Vinegar and Spices…etc.)
First Choice:Ketchup, Mayonnaise
Better Choice:Reduced Fat Cream Cheese or Sour Cream
Best Choice:Mustard
First Choice:French-Onion Dip
Better Choice:Salsa
Best Choice:Home-made Guacamole Dip (Fresh Avocados, Salt, Pepper, Garlic and Lime)
© Rebecca Aarup
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Rebecca Aarup is an author and freelance writer. She is a health columnist for The Christian Online Magazine, creater of S.E.R.V.A.N.T. Sisters online women’s ministry, and has written devotionals/studies/articles for a variety of publications including The Secret Place (Judson press), Evangel (Light and Life Communications), and Mustard Seed Ministries. She just released a new Bible Study The Word: Six Lessons from Psalm 119 which is available as a free download on her website or in print form from Amazon. Beyond writing, Rebecca is a wife, home-schooling mom, and Bible student at Liberty University. She lives in Glendale, Az with her husband Chris and 5 year old, Samantha. You can read more from Rebecca by subscribing to her blog (it’s free) and following her on twitter and facebook.