Per my awesome readers’ requests (aka YOU!), What I Ate Wednesday (WIAW) posts are continuing! So here we are with another one filled with all sorts of good eats. Check out Jenn’s WIAW page for more of the details.
After looking at my meals and snacks (from yesterday), I realized that they were pretty much all “traditional” foods that I put a healthy spin on. I love swapping out ingredients to make dishes healthier and more nutritious. It really is so simple too. You just have to think outside the box a bit!
breakfast – 6:15 AM
What I Ate: Pancakes using Kodiak Cake Whole Wheat Flapjack & Waffle Mix with a half of a smashed banana mixed into the batter; topped with all natural peanut butter and syrup
Traditional Version: Buttermilk Pancakes with peanut butter (not all natural) and syrup
These Kodiak Cakes truly taste like the real deal, but they are made with whole wheat and oat flours and use all natural ingredients. If you don’t have Kodiak Cake mix, you can always make your own healthy pancake batter or buy another brand of whole wheat pancake mix.
mid morning snack – 9:30 AM
What I Ate: Strawberry Vanilla Protein Shake – 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, half a cup of milk, 4 large strawberries, 3 drops NuNaturals Vanilla Stevia, ice
Traditional Version: Strawberry Milkshake
This tasted just like a strawberry milkshake. Yum!
lunch – 12:00 PM
What I Ate: 1/2 smashed avocado, mozzarella cheese, and tomato slices toasted and pressed in between two slices of whole wheat bread; asparagus on the side
Traditional Version: Grilled Cheese Sandwich
This sandwich totally hit the spot! It satisfied my craving for cheesy goodness, but the avocado, wheat bread, and tomato made it a healthier choice.
mid afternoon snack – 3:00 PM
What I Ate: STUFT Mama’s Protein Cookie Dough
Traditional Version: Good ol’ buttery sugary cookie dough
This stuff is no homemade chocolate chip cookie dough, but it sure does satisfy my craving for it while still being healthy. It’s packed with protein, healthy fats, and whole grains.
dinner – 6:30 PM
What I Ate: Chicken fajitas with bell pepper on a whole wheat tortilla stuffed with plain Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of cheese (x2); spinach salad with chopped tomato on the side
Traditional Version: Chicken (or beef) fajitas on a flour tortilla stuffed with sour cream
dessert – 8:15 PM
Ok, there’s no healthy swapping going on here… I suppose I could make the argument that I had nonfat frozen yogurt instead of full fat ice cream, but I’m sure my Reese’s, Butterfinger, and fudge toppings cancel that out. Cody and I had to pick up a few things at Target, and we couldn’t let our Yogurt Bliss coupon go to waste. Of course a pit stop on the way home for some fro-yo was a must. I know, I know, it looks like I have ice cream every.single.night. Not true, but it may be close to that. 
Questions:
- What are some healthy spins that you put on traditional meals/snacks?
- What are your favorite frozen yogurt/ice cream toppings?
{ 59 comments… read them below or add one }
I won’t lie that some WIAW posts on other blogs are a bit monotonous but yours always have a theme going on…and if not, the food more than makes up
! Everything looks so good, especially that sandwich (and fro yo but that’s a given)! I’m the same about healthier swaps- one of my favorites is dipping chicken breast into egg-whites and then coating it with oats! It definitely tastes better than fried chicken in my books 
!
thank you khushboo! i love your chicken idea! i need to try that one.
great idea for a post! my favorite fro yo toppings are definitely sprinkles! and hey… fro yo at the end of the day of eating so healthy is not a bad thing!!
actually fro yo is NEVER a bad thing!!
I love to put cookie dough, peanut butter cup pieces, sprinkles, & peanut butter sauce on my fro yo! Not so healthy, but delicious!
i’m all about the peanut butter cup pieces! i wish our fro yo place had peanut butter sauce! yumm.
I love avocado on grilled cheese – that just might have to be dinner tonight!
I have ice cream quite often too. I’m not judging you
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Love adding avocado, spinach, hummus and tomatoes to grilled cheese sandwiches
And multigrain pancakes are my favorite breakfast, I top mine with plain Greek yogurt, natural PB and fresh berries. You are right smoothies are way better than milkshakes too! I had a DQ milkshake awhile back and then made myself a banana smoothie at home the next day, way better and I am hooked now, a frozen banana, vanilla protein and almond milk.
I have too many favorite fro-yo toppings – mochi, carob chips, coconut, Reese’s PB cups and cookie dough pieces might be the top ones though.
yes, i love a simple and creamy smoothie!
When I try to health-ify tuna salad, I always replace the mayo with dijon mustard and hummus. It adds a little more kick than just mayo alone, and it’s healthier.
i like your hummus idea with the tuna! i’m definitely doing that next time around!
Your lunch looks absolutely delicious!
I like to top my fro yo with fresh fruit.. and gummy bears! (The mini ones!)
all of your eats look delicious! especially that grilled cheese sandwich..YUM
We love making healthy swaps at our house too. We use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream (always), and I use a lot of swaps in baking. Also, I love making smoothies that most people would think are milkshakes because they taste so great! I think my favorite swap-out recipe is Chocolate Covered Katie’s cookie dough dip. I’ve served it at so many parties, and people eat it up thinking it’s bad for them, and then I drop the bomb that it’s healthy (and made from chickpeas!).
That froyo looks amazing!
I pretty much eat icecream everynight too;) I love heath bar and butter finger on my fro yo. Yum. I also enjoy reese’s pieces.
Um, I want all of that food
. I need to try a grilled cheese with avocado! That sounds like a totally delicious combination.
you would love it!
I’m totttttttttttally jealous of that lunch. Grilled cheese, avocado, asparagus…YUM!! Can you come make me one, at say 11:45 today?
And you’ll probably think I’m weird, but I don’t eat ice cream or fro-yo. I know, heathen.
you crazy!
just because you don’t like it? or??
That strawberry milkshake looks delicious!
Everyone loves those kodiak cakes! I haven’t got that near me, so I usually just make my own pancakes with wholemeal flour. I love the comparison idea of this post!
no shame in froyo. I always go for fruit on top of plain tart. my favourite hands down.
I love making healthy substitutions to my meals! I always try and substitute lean meats for fattier cuts, use extra virgin olive oil instead of butter (when possible), and cram as many veggies into my meals as possible! Favorite fro-yo toppings: crushed Oreo, cookie dough, rainbow sprinkles, whipped cream and nuts!
Well, easy to say I love all of your eats. It’s awesome how you ate everything the healthier way
& damn, you wake up so early! I almost feel bad for waking up at the time I do, you probably have so much stuff done by then. Either way, awesome day of eats 
My favorite froyo toppings include all berries and sometimes some shredded coconut if I’m feeling fancy
Everything looks way too delicious!!! I LOVE avocado too, that’s a great idea for a sandwich.
I might make a sandwich for lunch today using your pressed sandwich as inspiration! I have some guacamole, pepperjack cheese, and a tomato … I’m thinking that might make a mighty tasty grilled cheese!
mmm i love pepperjack cheese!
That sandwich looks amazing. As does the froyo. I love that gooey uncooked brownie on top!
I looooove ice cream,too,I really should work on my ice-cream fear… Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough ice cream is sooooo good…!
Uhm,anyhow,I always make my own milkshakes,too! They are so much healthier and at least as yummy as the traditional version.
i agree, ben & jerry’s cookie dough is one of my favorites!
I love grilled sandwiches – especially ones with avocado! Yours looks amazing.
Some healthy spins on foods that I like to make are potato salad with a Greek yogurt dressing instead of mayo, banana soft serve, and baked instead of fried chicken fingers!
Haha no need for a swap with the froyo, especially after such a good day of eats! And I LOVE when my smoothies taste like strawberry milkshakes, that’s my favorite milkshake flavor!
I LOVE this!! You eat such a well rounded, healthy diet. It is impressive and super cool to see the ‘swap’ for healthier stuff. I am SO having a panini today….thanks a lot
xoxo
i hope you enjoyed that panini!
Amazing looking grilled cheese! I wish I had that right now instead of my lunch haha
I love the avocado, tomato and mozzarella sandwich idea! The more avocado I can get the better! Sometimes, I’ll add some spinach and chicken to my quesadillas to add a little more nutrients.
i agree, i love me some avocado!
I LOVE the idea of adding avocado to a grilled cheese sandwich! Yum! I’m guessing that this healthy version will be even tastier than the original.
Your Kodiak Cake breakfasts are making me crave pancakes big time. I went through a pancake kick about a year ago and literally ate them EVERY morning, but then (surprise!) I burned out. I tend to do this with breakfast foods; I get on a kick with something and eat it until I can’t eat it anymore. I need to start practicing more moderation.
Nonetheless, I think it’s time to bring pancakes back. 
The protein cookie dough sounds so good! As you already know, I love making a healthy “cheesecake mousse” by whipping cottage cheese with stevia. It truly tastes like cheesecake! I also enjoy healthifying brownies and other baked goods. But nothing is ever *quite* as good as the real thing! xoxo <3
i do the same exact thing with breakfasts! i’m sure i’ll get burned out on the pancakes soon enough.
i love your cheesecake mousse too! that’s another one of my favorites!!
Such a cool theme to go with, Ash! I find myself switching out a lot of things for healthier options, but definitely never the froyo
It is ALWAYS there to stay!
I like fresh strawberries. Also, rainbow sprinkles will forever hold a place in my heart.
Now that the weather has gotten warm, I probably have some variation on ice cream/froyo/smoothie every day. I just kind of happens…
I too will sub Greek Yogurt for Sour Cream. I also sub unsweetened applesauce for butter/oil in recipes and Oat Flour for pretty much every other flour!
I’ve got to make that cookie dough! I just did a swap for peanut butter pie. The filling is delicious and Oh She Glows did a similar version with silken tofu. It’s actually pretty good.
Hey your eats look really yummy! I was just wondering, how do you bloggers get so much milkshake out of your recipes? The ingredients dont look like they would add up to as much in the pictures. they look amazing!
hmm i’m not sure! guess we just have that “magic touch”!
I love all of the healthy alternatives you gave…these are great meal ideas!
I often use whole wheat flour in chocolate chip cookies, muffins, and homemade pizza crust. When we have spaghetti, I fill half of my bowl with chopped, steamed broccoli before adding the pasta. I also love sneaking spinach into smoothies and veggies onto sandwiches.
i do the same with spaghetti! i love to sneak veggies in wherever i can!
Oh I miss frozen yogurt.
Eat some extra for me. And that smoothie- um…. looks delicious and that picture is awesome!!! 
Hugs friend!!!!
What a fun spin on a WIAW post Ashley! These are great healthy alternatives, seriously, you did a wonderful job with them! I like your fajita idea… haven’t had anything like that in far too long, but obviously they are fine to eat, just need some slight modifications
Sprinkles are a MUST on top of frozen yogurt, chocolate in particular, and also graham crackers, blueberries, and oreos are usually there as well
yes, and my version of the fajitas really are super healthy! you would enjoy them i think.
That sandwich looks delish! I always do healthy spins on pizza and pancakes! My favorite ice cream/frozen yogurt toppings are peanut butter and reese’s peanut cups or reese’s pieces.
yes to the peanut butter and reese’s! you are my kinda gal.
Your food looks so good!!
fro-yo should never be “healthy”! it is a treat!
I love this!! I LOVE your sandwich- love avocado on sandwiches these days. and froyo is so necessary. I have loved reading about your journey lately-The Lord is so present in your life Its beautiful!
thank you katie!
i don’t know what i would do without Him in my life!
I’m totally grilled cheese obsessed, and love the avocado on yours!
Love the STUFT cookie dough, one of my favourite snacks of all time! And that sandwich looks great. I love avocado, almond butter and banana on toast. Such a weird sounding combo, but its so good together.
That avocado, mozzarella and tomato sandwich looks delicious! I must try that asap.
you must! it’s SO good!