We all need a little comfort now and then but all too often it comes in the form of food. With comfort foods come extra calories. Men tend to go for foods such as pizza and pasta whereas women tend to gravitate towards sweeter treats such as ice cream and chocolate. If you are finding yourself packing on the pounds in times of stress, try these four guilt free foods that are still comforting.

1. Sorbet. If you head straight to the freezer for a bowl of ice cream when you’ve had a bad day, try sorbet instead. It has a similar taste and texture with about a third of the calories . Making your own and adding fresh fruit will also decrease caloric intake and provide some nutrition from the fruit.

2. Cauliflower. If you feel like warm, butter mashed potatoes make you feel better you are probably consuming over 300 calories per bowl! Instead of potatoes, try mashing up cauliflower. Substitute the butter for chicken broth and add a touch of olive oil for creaminess. One serving is only 70 calories and you won’t be able to tell the difference. This vegetable is very high in Vitamin C and K and also contains folate.

3. Cake. If you have a sweet tooth, substitute sugary cakes for home made zucchini or pumpkin breads with a side of apple sauce. This dish saves you calories and provides nutrients from whatever veggie you choose to use in the dish. If you cannot curb your sweet tooth try using Stevia in recipes instead of sugar.

4. Soup. If you gravitate towards thick and hearty stews during a cold day try substituting home made vegetable soup. Many stews have a gravy base and are filled with fattening meat and potatoes. Making your own vegetable soup will let you control the contents and the sodium and warm you up while keeping the calories to a minimum.

Everyone has their favorite comfort foods but finding replacements that still satisfy but are healthier will keep you looking great.