Using Filippo Berio’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil to Create Healthy Twists to Traditional Comfort Foods

For the past six months, I ate anything and everything, mostly out of convenience. As a result, I felt sluggish, moody and less alert. Two weeks ago, I made the choice to eat healthier and have been swapping full-fat ingredients with lower fat alternatives. I’ve been using extra virgin olive oil as a substitute for butter and recently tried the Fillipo Berio brand. I tried both their Robusto and Delicato selections, but prefer “Delicato” because of it’s milder flavor. I’ll definitely continue using it in my dishes from now on. Check out these good-for-you twists of my favorite traditional comfort foods.

Veggie-Loaded Pizza

The key to making a healthier pizza is to not go overboard with the toppings. However, if you feel like indulging, use full-fat ingredients sparingly but load-up on veggies. Mushrooms would make a great addition because of their meaty texture. Try substituting cheeses that are high in saturated fat and sodium with low-fat, and low-sodium alternatives. You can also opt for a whole-wheat crust to boost your fiber intake.

Creamy-But-Light Macaroni and Cheese

Cutting out fat does not mean you have to sacrifice on flavor. Reduce the amount of cheese you add into your mac-n-cheese by cracking two eggs into the batch. The eggs will make for a creamier texture, so creamy; you won’t even miss the cheese.

Here’s the trick: You have to slowly add the egg mixture into the dish and stir it constantly so it won’t scramble. Eggs are an inexpensive high-quality protein, and are rich in other nutrients like vitamin D, B12, selenium and iron.

Baked Eggplant Parmesan

The traditional eggplant parmesan dish is usually submerged under piles of cheese and tomato sauce. However, you can significantly reduce its fat content by baking it. Lighten up even more by using whole-wheat breadcrumbs and Filippo Berio’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Sprinkle herbs like basil and thyme, and spices like garlic and chili peppers for an additional punch of flavor. Spicy peppers contain capsaicin, an active chemical believed to help induce weight loss.

Oatmeal Cinnamon Rolls

Baking can be rewarding, especially if the dish is waistline-friendly. Swap refined flour with almond flower and oats, and butter with Filippo Berio’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil for a vastly lighter version of this nostalgic fare. You can still keep the gooey factor by drizzling instead of dousing the rolls with icing. Oatmeal contains soluble fiber, which will help you eat less and stay fuller longer. It also has complex carbohydrates to help you stay energized throughout the day.

This post is sponsored. A big thank you to the @Influenster team for sending me a few Filipo Berio coupons! #OliveyouFB. The coupons were free and for testing purposes.