While we’re all aware that processed foods aren’t the healthiest option, their convenience, affordability, and quick preparation make them tempting alternatives to cooking from scratch every evening.
Rather than eliminating prepackaged foods entirely, a dietician suggests incorporating healthier elements to enhance their nutritional content.
Monica D’Agostino, a registered dietician based in New York, challenges the notion perpetuated by social media that every home-cooked dinner needs to be intricate and time-consuming. She emphasizes that this doesn’t have to be the case. D’Agostino initiated a TikTok series with over 700,000 followers, demonstrating how to elevate the healthiness of packaged foods.
Her goal with this series and overall healthy eating is to make these processed foods more nourishing, filling, and satisfying. Here are her recommendations for infusing nutrients into your preferred packaged foods:
- Upgrade Boxed Mac and Cheese with an Egg: In her most popular video, viewed by over 2 million on TikTok, D’Agostino revamps boxed mac and cheese. She swaps the usual butter and milk components of the cheese sauce with an egg. This addition not only introduces protein and healthy fats but also maintains the creamy texture of the cheese sauce. Furthermore, she advises steaming a cup of broccoli and incorporating it, creating a delicious and satisfying vegetable addition.
- Enhance Frozen Pizza’s Nutritional Profile: D’Agostino notes that frozen pizza often lacks the necessary fiber and protein for true satiety. To rectify this, she suggests chopping pre-cooked chicken sausage and various vegetables, such as red pepper, red onion, and broccoli. These additions can be placed atop the pizza before cooking, adding protein and fiber. This transforms the pizza into a more satisfying and balanced meal, ultimately reducing overconsumption.
- Combine Protein Powder with Cereal: Inspired by another dietician, Liv Kinkade, D’Agostino proposes mixing protein powder into your milk of choice and pouring it over cereal. Using a handheld frother ensures a creamy, clump-free mixture. She recommends choosing a cereal with at least 5 grams of fiber. Additionally, she includes strawberries for vitamin C and potassium, hemp seeds for healthy fats, and a sprinkle of cinnamon for its antioxidants. Alternatively, powdered peanut butter can be used instead of protein powder.
- Elevate Sweet Potato Fries: One standout from D’Agostino’s series is her “healthified bar food” version of sweet potato nacho-style fries. She takes frozen sweet potato fries, air fries them for about 10-15 minutes, and tops them with black beans and pepper jack cheese for added protein. Moreover, she adds tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and guacamole for extra flavor and fiber. This transforms the fries into a satisfying and balanced meal with a fun twist.
D’Agostino’s creative strategies not only add a nutritional boost to commonly consumed processed foods but also make the experience more enjoyable and fulfilling.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digest Pulse journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
