9 Healthier Versions of Your Favorite Junk Foods

Make these recipes when a craving strikes.

By Rachel Swalin

July 21, 2014

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While we'd all like to think that we eat healthy, there's no denying that Americans have a serious weakness for junk food.

Fast food made up 11% of adults' daily calories between 2007 and 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Let's not forget all that pesky sugar, either. The CDC also found that 13% of our calories came from added sugar between 2005 and 2010—cutting it pretty darn close to the 15% limit set by the 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines. (The American Heart Association goes further: they recommend limiting added sugar to less than 100 calories daily for women.)

Whether it's greasy fries, salty chips, or sugary cupcakes, almost everyone craves some kind of unhealthy food. Since today is National Junk Food Day, you might think you have free rein to eat any sweet or fried treat in sight. But before you go stuffing your face, know that you can enjoy delicious, healthier versions of your favorite junk foods, with more nutrients to boot.

Here are a few healthier recipes to make when a craving strikes: