Keto Means
Photo by Karolina Grabowska Pexels Logo Photo: Karolina Grabowska

What can I add to chili to make it healthier?

Sneak in Extra Veggies Beyond the traditional tomato base, it's so easy to sneak extra vitamins into your chili with vegetables. Shredded or cubed sweet potatoes, zucchini, peppers and carrots add nutritional value without overpowering the other flavors.

Can I cheat once a week on a low-carb diet?
Can I cheat once a week on a low-carb diet?

The bottom line. You should avoid cheat meals and days on the keto diet. Consuming too many carbs can kick your body out of ketosis — and it takes...

Read More »
Can I eat a banana in keto?
Can I eat a banana in keto?

Despite the many health benefits of fruit, there is an issue with some fruits on the keto diet. Grapes and bananas, for instance, contain high...

Read More »

Learn how to make your favorite chili recipe even tastier—and healthier—with our tricks for the best chili you've ever tasted. Chili is the ultimate cold-weather comfort food. More than simply delicious, healthy chili is an easy one-pot meal that's often made with ingredients you already have on hand, and it can easily be stretched to feed a crowd on football Sundays or after a long day of raking or shoveling. What's more, chili is an easy freezer meal you can make on a slow weekend to have on hand for busy nights. Use these simple tricks to make your favorite chili recipe healthier but still hearty and satisfying.

1. Season Boldly

spicy chili

Using generous amounts of spice in your chili is an easy way to add great flavor without any added fat or calories. Classic chili spices include chili powder and cumin (and cayenne or ground red pepper for those who like it really hot). Instead of buying premixed chili seasoning packets, have fun experimenting with different seasonings; cinnamon and allspice can add wonderful depth of flavor.

2. Choose a Lean Protein

4003143.jpg

To make a classic beef chili that's still healthy, choose beef that is at least 90 percent lean, which fits into the USDA guidelines for lean meats. You can also opt for lean and flavorful ground turkey or chicken breast instead.

3. Stir in Some Beans

Four-Bean & Pumpkin Chili

Everything might be bigger in Texas, but we don't recommend following their lead with a meat-only chili. Instead, use beans in your healthy chili to add fiber and stretch your dish healthfully and inexpensively. You can use one type of beans, such as kidney beans or black beans, or mix several types for a variety. What's more, a bean-based vegetarian chili has considerably fewer calories and less saturated fat than chili made with meat.

wheat berry chili

Make chili into a one-pot meal or stretch a small batch of chili by adding whole grains, such as brown or wild rice, farro, barley, bulgur or wheat berries. Whole grains add fiber which keeps you fuller, longer. Grains also freeze well in the chili, or you can stir in a fresh batch of cooked grains after reheating your chili.

5. Sneak in Extra Veggies

Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili

Beyond the traditional tomato base, it's so easy to sneak extra vitamins into your chili with vegetables. Shredded or cubed sweet potatoes, zucchini, peppers and carrots add nutritional value without overpowering the other flavors.

bowl of vegetarian chili

Choose no-salt-added canned tomatoes and reduced-sodium broths to control salt levels in your chili. Be sure to rinse canned beans before stirring them into the chili to significantly reduce sodium levels, too. Premade chili spice mixtures are also sodium heavy, so make your own to better control the salt total.

7. Brighten Flavors with Acidic Ingredients

moms chili

Adding a splash of lime juice or cider vinegar to your chili at the end of cooking helps to brighten the dish and add another layer of complexity to the flavor. If you're reheating chili that's been frozen for several weeks or months, a bit of citrus juice or vinegar stirred into the bowl just before eating can also help reinvigorate the flavors.

8. Use Fresh Toppings

3879388.jpg

Pictured recipe: Chicken Chili with Sweet Potatoes

What happens if you eat egg everyday?
What happens if you eat egg everyday?

Eggs are also a great source of heart-healthy nutrients like potassium, folate and B vitamins. Some research suggests that up to two eggs per day...

Read More »
What foods shrink your gut?
What foods shrink your gut?

Eight Delicious Foods That Help Fight Belly Fat Belly Fat-Fighting Foods. Avocados. Bananas. Yogurt. Berries. Chocolate Skim Milk. Green Tea....

Read More »

Which is the best drink for weight loss?

The 8 Best Weight Loss Drinks Green Tea. Share on Pinterest. ... Coffee. Coffee is used by people around the world to boost energy levels and lift mood. ... Black Tea. Like green tea, black tea contains compounds that may stimulate weight loss. ... Water. ... Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks. ... Ginger Tea. ... High-Protein Drinks. ... Vegetable Juice.

Green tea is often associated with health, and for good reason.

Not only is it packed with beneficial antioxidants and other powerful nutrients, it’s also one of the most effective drinks for weight loss. Drinking green tea has been shown to decrease body weight and body fat in several studies. A review of 14 studies found that people who drank high-concentration green tea for 12 weeks lost an average of 0.44 to 7.7 pounds (0.2 to 3.5 kg) more than those who did not drink green tea ( 1 ). It should be noted that this benefit is linked to green tea preparations that contain high amounts of catechins, antioxidants that may increase fat burning and boost metabolism ( 2 ). Matcha is a type of green tea that contains a higher amount of catechins than loose leaf green tea, which makes it a good choice for weight loss ( 3 ). One study found that women who consumed 3 grams of matcha per day experienced greater fat burning during exercise compared to women who did not drink matcha ( 4 ). Plus, green tea contains caffeine, which can help promote weight loss by boosting energy levels and improving performance while exercising ( 5 , 6 ). What’s more, people who drink green tea tend to have lower blood pressure and a lower risk of developing diseases such as heart disease, certain cancers and diabetes ( 6 ). Summary Drinking green tea may help you lose weight by boosting metabolism and encouraging fat loss.

Does peanut butter increase testosterone?
Does peanut butter increase testosterone?

Does Peanut increase testosterone? A. Yes, Peanuts have can increase testosterone levels. This quality is because peanuts contain arginine, which...

Read More »
Why is there so many eggs in coconut flour?
Why is there so many eggs in coconut flour?

What is this? Coconut flour is particularly absorbent, and a very small amount of flour will absorb a very large amount of liquid. It also tends to...

Read More »
How do you shock your metabolism to lose weight?
How do you shock your metabolism to lose weight?

If you want to jumpstart your metabolism, a great way to do it is strength training. “Muscle building speeds up your metabolic rate for up to 2...

Read More »
Will one cheat day mess up keto?
Will one cheat day mess up keto?

The bottom line You should avoid cheat meals and days on the keto diet. Consuming too many carbs can kick your body out of ketosis — and it takes...

Read More »