Pizza, pasta, and ice cream are three of the most popular comfort foods that we love to indulge in. The problem is that although they taste heavenly, they’re definitely NOT doing our waistlines any favors.

While they might tickle our taste buds in just the right way and soothe out souls a little, often times those traditional recipes don’t only compromise our diets, they also increase our risk of contracting problems like diabetes and high cholesterol.

The good news is that there are a few simple food swaps that you can use to turn your favorite comfort foods into fat-busting superfoods that’ll help you fight the war on weight gain over the long run.

6 Seriously Fattening Comfort Foods

1. The Hamburger

White bread buns and a patty made with ground beef only can easily come in at 329 calories, and that’s without cheese. Pile on some greasy toppings like Swiss and bacon, and you know exactly where those calories are heading…your hips.

2. French Fries

There aren’t a lot of foods that are quite as seductive yet terribly unhealthy as good old French fries. One small serving of French fries contains anywhere between 200 and 340 calories. Given that everybody opts for a “super-size” order these days, the more accurate number should be between 370 and 730 calories per serving. Potatoes are low in dietary fiber and they also have a low glycemic index, which means they cause that dreaded starch crash and expand your waistline.

3. Ice Cream

I scream. You scream. We all scream for…you get the deal. Point is: Ice cream (the commercial kind) is crammed full of sugar. We also eat ice cream as a dessert, or as part of a mindless eating ritual, which leads to a bunch of unnecessary calories being consumed, leaving your weight loss efforts flushed down the drain.

4. Pizza

Depending on your choice of toppings and crust, one slice of takeout pizza can easily deliver a full day’s worth of sodium. Consider the amount of high-fat cheese on your pizza, as well as the salt and MSG content in the dough. We all know pizza isn’t a dieter’s friend, unless of course you’re okay with gaining a few pounds.

5. Creamy Mac & Cheese

Loved by kids and adults alike, classic, creamy macaroni & cheese is a culprit that can derail your diet plans in a flash. A typical boxed meal of mac & cheese packs as much as 529 calories, 25.7g of fat and a whopping 10.6 grams of saturated fat. Let’s not even talk about the fried mac & cheese that some restaurants offer as entrees.

6. Cheesy Nachos

Ah nachos…a staple at movie theaters and game days. Who doesn’t love this tasty, cheesy Mexican snack? The problem is that nacho cheese is loaded with fat, not to mention the other toppings that are often added to the mix. It can easily become one of the most fattening foods you can possibly eat, and the danger with nachos is that it’s seriously addictive. MSG tastes great doesn’t it?

If you’re feeling a little lethargic at this point, we’ve got just what the dietician ordered. Check out these great ingredient swap ideas to help you turn those fattening favorites into slimming superstars!

6 Super Food Ingredient Swaps for Weight Loss

1. Healthier Hamburgers

Instead of using ground beef, you can replace it with lean ground turkey and add some black beans to the mix, just to kick up the fiber content of your patty. Try this amazing Black Bean Turkey Burger Recipe from Sim Sanity for a healthier burger option.

2. Healthier Fries

Instead of using white potatoes, try using light-skinned sweet potatoes instead. Sweet potatoes have much more fiber than white potatoes, and they also have a lower glycemic index, which means they’ll keep you feeling fuller for longer. Check out this Sweet Potato Fries Recipe from Wellness Mama.

3. Healthier Ice Cream

Healthy ice cream, or “nice cream” really isn’t hard to make, and it’s also good for you, which means that you can afford to eat it as a treat on a daily basis. If you’ve got bananas, a freezer and a blender, you’re good to go. Have a look at Chocolate Covered Katie’s 10 Blissful Banana Ice Cream Recipes.

4. Healthier Pizza

Start by opting to make your own pizza, that way, you’ll be sure of exactly what you’re consuming. You can also substitute white dough for a whole wheat crust. You don’t have to go mad with the cheese, and try to stick to lean meats if you’re not okay with the veggie train. For more healthy pizza ingredient swap ideas, check out this post by The Picky Eater.

5. Healthier Macaroni & Cheese

Instead of regular macaroni, try using a whole wheat or Low GI version. The cheese sauce can be made by using veggies (which adds more fiber to the mix). By using a few smart food swaps, you can easily avoid a butter-laden meal and instead create a comfort meal that’s kind to the waistline and still brings nutritional value to the table. If you’re keen on the idea, make sure you check out this Healthy Mac & Cheese Recipe from a Pinch of Yum.

6. Healthier Nachos

By using brown rice tortillas for your chips, you’ll instantly reduce the fat and sodium content of your nachos, not to mention the great addition of fiber you’ll benefit from. If you’re a fan of loaded nachos (and honestly, who isn’t?) then these 5 Recipes for Healthier Nachos from That Clean Life will have you drooling. Make sure you check it out!

We’ve shown you 6 simple tweaks to help you turn your favorite comfort foods around. Instead of fretting over the damage they’ll do to your jean size, you can swap out a few ingredients, have your pie and still eat it. Losing weight doesn’t have to be an uphill battle if you’re armed with the info you need to make savvy nutritional choices!