It’s that time of year again: many of us are suddenly watching our plates, trying new foods, and making an effort to make healthier choices.  And while the excitement of resolutions can push us through the first few weeks, that motivation tends to wane as time passes.  So how do we remedy this?  New ideas can reinvigorate our goals, particularly tasty ones.  I’ve found that I’ve been able to stay on track the longest when I surround myself with new recipes that are both appetizing and good for me.

Recently I got sucked into ABC’s new show, My Diet is Better Than Yours.  It’s about five people trying to make major lifestyle changes as guided by five diet founders.  The one that struck me the most is called the “Superfood Swap Diet“, created by nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner.  It’s aim is to help you eat the foods you crave, but substituting them for healthier versions based on nutrition-packed “superfoods”.  Of all the diet plans presented I feel this is the most sustainable and satisfying for the average person.  While I may not be able to give up hamburgers, I have no problem swapping them for whole grain buns and leaner cuts of meat, for example.  So with this in mind, I’ve been searching out shows full of recipes that help solve such cravings with enticing alternatives.

Most of these shows air on Cooking Channel (CC), but there are a few options that air (or have aired) on Food Network (FN) or other network channels.  Don’t worry if you don’t get one of these channels; many full episodes and videos are available on their websites for free, in addition to nearly all of their recipes.  You can also check out their Pinterest boards (such as Hungry Girl or The Biggest Loser) for encouragement.

Cooking Shows

• Hungry Girl (Cooking Channel) – focused on low-calorie/low-fat food swaps for all of your favorite meals
• Not My Mama’s Meals (Cooking Channel) – Paula Deen’s son recreates her famous recipes with healthy twists
• How to Live to 100 (Cooking Channel) – vegan and vegetarian recipes based on “superfoods”
• Drop 5 lbs with Good Housekeeping (Cooking Channel) – a 10-episode series focused on healthy meal planning
• Junk Food Flip (Cooking Channel) – chefs create lighter versions of restaurants’ guilty pleasures
• Ingredient Intel (Cooking Channel) – 2-minute shorts about fresh foods and cooking fundamentals
• Giada at Home (Food Network) – while not technically a health-based show, episodes frequently focus on lighter meals

Health & Fitness Shows

• The Biggest Loser (NBC) – contestants compete to lose weight with the support of experienced personal trainers
• My Diet is Better Than Yours (ABC) – contestants guided by the creators of different nutrition plans compete to see which is most effective

Previously Aired Shows – These shows are not currently airing, but have recipes and videos preserved online focused on healthy eating.

• Cooking Thin (Food Network)
• Healthy Appetite with Ellie Krieger (Food Network)
• Lighten Up! (Food Network)
• Low Carb and Lovin’ It (Food Network)
• Weighing In (Food Network)

I hope this helps you stay on track with your health and fitness goals for the year!  As always, if you have any options to add to this list feel free to comment below!