Now that the temperatures have dropped, and it’s finally warmer inside than it is outside, people are reaching for warm and cozy comfort foods. When people are chilled and just wanting to warm up, the last thing one wants is a cold, fresh salad or chilled fruit and vegetables.

People want something that’s going to warm them up from the inside, something hot, filling and satisfying. The meals are fine every once in awhile, but if excessively eaten, they can get a little less than healthy. Never fear, there are healthy comfort foods out there.

Pizza

Pizza is an easy and greasy comfort food. Favored by many, it’s unfortunately not the healthiest of choices. To combat this without completely giving it up, there are several things that are adjustable. Instead of ordering it or pulling a frozen one out of the freezer, opt for homemade. The doughy crust can become much healthier just by using whole wheat dough or even a cauliflower crust. Avoid the high-calorie and fatty-meat toppings and instead use veggies. To go the extra mile, make the tomato sauce and sprinkle the pizza with a low-fat mozzarella.

Burgers

Although burgers are a summer barbecue staple, they are still eaten regularly in the cold winter months. Burgers are so diverse and unique these days. Some have peanut butter as a topping, while some even have grilled cheese sandwiches as the buns. There are also ways to enjoy a delicious burger without all the greasy guilt. Whole-wheat buns will be lower in calories and higher in nutrients. Turkey burgers or veggie burgers can replace the hamburger patty. Or simply pile the burger with favorite vegetable toppings and it’s good to go.

Lasagna

Lasagna is an amazing comfort food because of its warm gooeyness and carb overload. One big piece could land a person on the couch and contently napping for an hour. To cut down on the carbs, use strips of zucchini as the noodles. Toss in a few vegetables with homemade tomato sauce to make a much healthier version of the amazing Italian pasta dish. Now, it’ll take at least three big pieces to send someone couch bound.

The cold months can be a threat to a healthy and fit lifestyle in terms of food, but there are so many healthy alternatives to the endless amount of comfort foods out there. Experiment by replacing the ingredients that can make certain foods unhealthy with other vegetables or nutritious options. Steamed vegetables such as broccoli or green beans are great warm side dishes too. A healthy diet is possible in the fall and winter when temptation calls, but mom’s best casserole can’t hurt every once in awhile.