Summer is the time where we all realize that we may not have that summer bod we were looking for. Due to this, many of us go on health food kicks, cutting out our favorite foods in the name of weight loss. I'm here to tell you that you don't have to go cold turkey! There are plenty of ways to substitute little things in your diet to make your meals healthier. Here are a few ideas to get you started!

1. Pasta.

Spaghetti Squash is my new pasta. It doesn't have a taste so it works great with marinara sauce! Simply cut the squash in half, scoop out the seeds, and bake it (400F) with olive oil and salt for about 40-50 minutes, depending on the size. When it's done, use a fork to separate the pieces, they come out looking like pasta!

2. Bread.

My favorite substitute for bread lately has been Ezekiel Bread. Not only are you cutting out carbs and gluten, you'd be getting a great source of protein! For people trying it for the first time, I recommend toasting a slice and adding peanut butter, banana, honey, and chia seeds!

3. Chips.

It's so easy to make your own veggie chips, but you can buy them in store too. Either store bought or homemade, they're a great way to solve your salty cravings!

4. Mac-n-Cheese.

By substituting elbow pasta for butternut squash, you get a homemade mac n cheese with more texture and just a hint of sweetness.

5. Pizza.

We all love pizza, but you can substitute the crust for cauliflower, make mini pizza boats with zucchini, or make little pizza bites with eggplant or mushrooms!