Cheesecake, Healthy Swaps for the Junk Food We Have a Kung-Fu Grip on

Photo 3/7

When you're craving creamy and indulgent cheesecake, reach for low-fat Greek yogurt. Top it with fresh fruit like blueberries, raspberries or strawberries and graham cracker crumbles to mimic the trademark cheesecake crust.

Photo 4/7

This unhealthy side dish is seriously tempting and all kinds of unhealthy (trans fats, blood-sugar spiking potatoes, the list that'll make you cringe goes on). Luckily, the best swap for this junk food is readily available at restaurants these days: sweet potato fries. "Craving french fries? Reach for sweet potato fries," says Kulakovska. Sweet potatoes are all kinds of good for you -- they're rich in vitamins A, B6 and C, and they still satisfy a craving for something fried.

Photo 5/7

Fried potatoes strike again! If you're craving something crunchy and salty, Kulakovska recommends reaching for dehydrated veggie chips. "Kale and arugula chips are often seasoned with spices and seeds, and they come in a wide variety of flavors," says Kulakovska. Jalapeno tomato chips? We can handle that.

Photo 6/7

It's hard to top this classic baked good. Even worse, it's often hard to stop at just one. Next time you're tempted by a chocolate chip cookie, try sweet chocolate crisps (Genisoy makes a good version). One serving comes in at only 90 calories, so you'll get more bang for your caloric buck. Kulakovska also recommends Biscolinos. "They are wholesome cookies made with raw ingredients that will tame your sweet tooth and nourish your body with a balance of fiber, protein and antioxidants. These chewy, almond- and coconut-based cookies not only taste amazing, but they're low in calories too."

Photo 7/7

Next time you're headed to the movies, skip the concession lines and throw some dried fruit into your purse instead. Raisins, Craisins and other dried fruit will satisfy your craving for something sweet and chewy. Just be sure to put on the brakes at some point, because eating too much dried fruit will only bring you back in the high-calorie territory of the candy.

It's common knowledge that the more delicious a snack is, the more terrible it is for you. Case in point: junk food. We all know it's bad news. Heck, the name itself implies that there's unnecessary stuff hanging around. And in this case, that unnecessary stuff is extra fat, sugar, salt and calories.

So, even though I start my day with a hearty bowl of oatmeal, guzzle water throughout the day and get my five servings of fruit and veggies in, I'm no match against a chewy chocolate chip cookie that's waiting for me in the break room. It's fast, convenient, and how much can just one little cookie hurt, right? Unfortunately, the answer is "a lot" if this same rationalization is happening every day of the week, for whatever your weakness may be -- potato chips, Cheetos, a generous slice of cheesecake ... pick your poison.

As tragic as it may sound, I'm afraid it's time to loosen that kung-fu grip on your favorite junk food.

Take a deep breath. This doesn't mean you have to completely deprive yourself of sweet, salty, crunchy goodness and chomp on celery 24/7. It's merely time to give your diet saboteurs a little makeover.

To help you get started, we rounded up healthier snacks that can easily be swapped for the junk food you can't quite seem to kick. By all means, feel free to indulge in a Snicker's bar once in a while -- but in the meantime, reach for these smart swaps to keep your junk food cravings in check.

Healthy Swaps for the Junk Food We Have a Kung-Fu Grip on

Satisfy those cravings and save on calories with these junk food substitutes

Cheesecake

French Fries

Potato Chips

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Starburst, Twizzlers and Skittles

GET FREE SAMPLES