15 Ways a Food Processor Can Help You Lose Weight
There's a magic tool in your kitchen that can actually help you lose weight. Dust off that food processor you only registered for because your Gramma told you to, read through these ideas, and see all the delicious, healthy meals, snacks, and desserts you can craft with this powerful little machine. They're guaranteed to satisfy all your cravings, while helping you eat healthier to slim down, and feel happier and more energetic.
Oat Flour
Skip the white flour, which has very little nutritional value, and use homemade oat flour instead. It will increase the protein and fiber in your baked goods without sacrificing flavor or texture.
Vegan Tofu Lasagna
Swap regular ricotta in your lasagna recipe for homemade tofu ricotta. Just add tofu to a food processor, and a pinch in garlic powder, a dash of sea salt, and some basil, then puree until smooth and creamy. The dairy-free version has totally fooled my lasagna-loving family and friends!
Chocolates
From chocolate salted caramels, to nutty Almond Joys, to vegan Peppermint Patties, you can create decadent, homemade chocolates that contain none of those weird processed ingredients you cannot pronounce. Indulging in a little sweet treat every day can keep cravings at bay, helping you stay strong with your goals.
Cauliflower Rice
The perfect low-carb swap for regular rice, just chop a head of cauliflower into pieces, add them to your blender, and turn on until little pieces (that look like rice) form. Use it right away or store it in the freezer for later. Saute cauliflower rice with a little olive oil, garlic, and salt and serve with seasoned beans or stir-fry. Or use it to make this sweet cauliflower porridge — it tastes just like oatmeal!
Chocolate Hummus
While slices of crunchy apple and fresh strawberries are sweet enough on their own, isn't everything better with chocolate? Whip up this chocolate fruit dip that's made with chickpeas, almonds, and dates. It offers fiber, protein, and that chocolaty goodness you crave.
Fruit and Nut Bars
If you're a fan of Larabars, make different variations at home using your food processor. These pumpkin pie bars are made with cashews, dates, and spices.
Creamy Pesto
Add healthy, hunger-satiating fats to your diet by making this creamy avocado pesto pasta sauce instead of using regular pesto made with Parmesan cheese.
Pudding
A traditional melt-in-your mouth, decadent pudding recipe is made with white sugar, whole milk, egg yolks, and butter — definitely not the healthiest dessert, but man, is it delicious! Make a healthier dairy-free chocolate pudding — all you need is a food processor and 30 minutes and no one will be able to guess that it's made with black beans. If you're more in the mood for pumpkin pie flavor, this recipe substitutes silken tofu for heavy cream.
Nut Butter
If you've never tasted freshly made nut butter, warm from being made in a food processor, you haven't lived! It tastes so much fresher and you can make it more fancy by using a mix of nuts and seeds instead of just peanuts or almonds.
Cookies
Got an insatiable sweet tooth, but you're trying to cut back on processed sugar? Head to your kitchen and bake these flour-free, sugar-free cookies right now! Just throw the ingredients in your food processor, and you can make these as chunky or smooth as you want, depending on how long you let the machine run.
Nice Cream
Save on saturated fat and calories by making nice cream out of frozen fruit. The flavor possibilities are endless and you can mix in chocolate chips to make it feel more decadent.
Smoothie Bowls
For a satisfying, spoonable breakfast, use your food processor to make a smoothie bowl. Adding healthy fats like avocado, nut butter, and seeds, and a protein source such as tofu, beans, yogurt, or protein powder will fill you up until lunch.
Vegan Mac and Cheese
Save on saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories by making this creamy cheesy sauce in your food processor made with cashews, cooked carrots, and cannellini beans.
Vegan Cheesecake
Skip the saturated fat and cholesterol you'll find in regular cheesecake and make this healthier version made with soaked raw cashews.
Hummus
Nothing beats the fresh flavor of homemade hummus. It's easy to make if you have a food processor, and you can get creative with the ingredients. This spicy hummus is actually made with black beans.