With the dawn of the new year comes everyone’s suspenseful autobiography: “How Long Will My Resolutions Last?” While there is nothing quite as satisfying as proving the family pessimist wrong by achieving your fitness or dietary goal, there’s usually a tiny bump in the road called “food.” After all, how is anyone supposed to lose weight when such delicacies exist as waffles with the works? Philosophers centuries from now will still be trying to answer that question.
Fortunately, all is not lost. In fact, with the right tools and information, you can prove the pessimists wrong without reducing your diet to celery and dirt. As Marie Antoinette once said, “Let them eat waffles.” Or something like that, anyway.
Is it Possible to Eat Waffles and Lose Weight?
The good news is that, yes, you can have your waffles and eat them too! The less good news is that you will have to make a few adjustments. Luckily, waffles are delicious even without a blanket of chocolate sauce and whipped cream. I know, I was shocked too.
If you want to enjoy a delicious breakfast (or lunch – who am I to judge?) without breaking your resolutions, try applying the following tips.
1. Ditch the all-purpose flour.
Most of us have been buying all-purpose flour for so long that it’s more of a mindless habit than anything. Unfortunately, basic white flour is full of empty calories that don’t actually nurture your body. Instead of reaching for all-purpose white flour, try cooking with whole wheat flour, almond flour, or chickpea flour. Wheat flour will keep your waffles fluffy and delicious, but the calories are actually nutritious.
2. Resist the temptation to top.
This is hands down the hardest trick to apply when it comes to making waffles healthy (and helping you lose weight). The truth is, most of the fat and sugar from waffles comes from the toppings. Whipped cream, chocolate syrup, maple syrup, butter, chocolate chips, etc. make a very tasty waffle but a very sad liver. Instead of fake, processed ingredients, try drizzling your waffle with raw honey and topping it with fresh, organic fruit. If honey and fruit aren’t your things, use your waffle as the bread to an egg white and spinach sandwich (which is much better than it sounds!). You can also use organic peanut butter. However, you top your waffle, make sure you use whole, nutritious ingredients.
3. Don’t overeat.
If you have ever been to a breakfast diner, you know the sheer joy of ordering all-you-can-eat waffles and being greeted moments later with a stack of waffles 7 feet high. Do not try to recreate this feeling at home! One of the most important qualities of a successful diet is portion control. Limit yourself to a few waffles. It helps to pair them with more filling foods, such as eggs.
