When you think about nutrition are you still thinking about The Food Guide Pyramid? If you are, I have an update. MyPlate replaced the pyramid in 2010. It is much simpler to use and refer back to every time you eat. The visual helps me maintain a well balanced diet and is what I live by daily.

Almond Flour Instead of All-Purpose Flour

Almond flour is not only suitable for those avoiding gluten but it has a higher fat content than all-purpose flour making baked goods tender and delicious.

Cacao Nibs Instead of Chocolate Chips

This one is a little tougher for me to get used to but you can always try a 50/50 split of chocolate chips to cacao nib ratio and gradually adjust based on preference. Raw cacao nibs are minimally processed chocolate chips and do not contain sugar or other additives. They are crunchy and a bit bitter but contain some powerful antioxidants so give it a go and try sprinkling it on your oatmeal.

Coconut Milk Instead of Heavy Cream, Milk or Half-and-Half

This swap is ideal for someone trying to reduce or eliminate their dairy intake. The natural creamy texture of the coconut milk works great in coffee or soup. Just remember it will add a slight coconut flavor.

Frozen foods are notorious for being laden with sodium, fat and artificial ingredients. Despite this stereotype, frozen berries come with a plethora of benefits for your health and wallet.

Berries contain the most nutrients at their peak ripeness. Once plucked and washed, berries are frozen almost immediately in turn preserving nutrients. The convenience of frozen berries allows you to enjoy their nutritious qualities year round.

In fact, frozen berries are perhaps superior to fresh when nutrients are stacked up against each other. In the US, fresh berries may take anywhere between 3 days to weeks in transit before arriving at a distribution center. Over time, nutrients diminish due to oxidation.