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Delicious Ways to Replace Carbs

A Healthier Way to Curb Your Craving

By Megan MedeirosPublished 6 years ago 4 min read
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So many people wrongfully think that a gluten-free diet will make them lose weight. This extremely common misconception has caused this once medically necessary diet for a select few to double as a diet fad amongst a wide range of people. Let's break down this misconception: there is some truth behind gluten-free diets helping you lose weight; if you stop eating grains all together and change your diet to feature mostly fresh meats and veggies that aren't deep-fried or covered in bread, then you will lose weight. Studies have shown that consuming less carbohydrates can make a considerable difference in your weight loss and overall energy level. So, today, I'm going to walk you through what low-carb looks like and what it can do for you then give you some suggestions for carb-free alternatives to help supplement your cravings.

So, what do I mean by a low-carb diet?

Carbs are things like wheat, flour, rice, potatoes, etc. By a low-carb diet, I don't mean that you have to cut out these foods entirely, but consume them in moderation. This concept comes from the keto diet, a simple Google search of which will reveal a lot of information. The keto diet dictates that only about 5% of your daily calorie intake should come from carbohydrates.

What sort of things can you eat?

Fresh grilled meats are highly encouraged, as well as fresh vegetables, and fish can do a variety of wonders for your overall health. There are even great suggestions all over the web about ways to still consume your favorite dishes by replacing the carbohydrates, some of which I'll walk you through today.

How hard is this diet?

The good news is a low-carb diet is a heck of a lot easier to maintain and follow than a gluten-free one. You don't have to avoid gluten or carbohydrates completely, just watch your consumption of them. If you consumed quite a bit of carbs regularly before, you might find yourself craving your old go-to foods. You'll be happy to know that there are several terrific and delicious alternatives that are far healthier and won't cause you to cheat on your diet.

Lettuce to Replace Bread

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I chose to start with one of the most common carb-replacers known to man, replacing bread with lettuce. Several restaurants already offer this as a standard menu option, like Jimmy John's and their delicious "unwich" option. This works great for wraps, burgers, sandwiches, and even tacos.

Cauliflower to Replace Several of Your Favorite Side Dishes

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You wouldn't believe how magical a vegetable cauliflower is. This little broccoli-like vegetable can be used to replace the carbohydrates in several delicious sides and even some healthy alternatives for meals that are usually reserved for special treats or cheat days.

Mashed Cauliflower

You can mash cauliflower, season it similar to your favorite mashed potato recipe (usually some butter, garlic, salt and pepper, but it differs), and enjoy it like you would mashed potatoes. Don't get me wrong, it still tastes like cauliflower; it doesn't magically taste like potatoes, but it is a delicious and much healthier alternative.

Cauliflower Mac & Cheese

This has become one of my staples for sides and entrees, alike; it's so delicious. It has a texture similar to runny scrambled eggs, but with some Velveeta cheese smothering it, it tastes so similar to mac & cheese.

Cauliflower Pizza

Yep, you read that right; cauliflower can be used as a healthier alternative to traditional pizza. Now, it doesn't magically do away with every unhealthy part of pizza, so that should still be taken into consideration, but it does remove the carbohydrate from the equation. There are tons of recipes online for cauliflower pizza crust and, as a person that's eaten it multiple times, I can attest to its authenticity; it really works. There's even a frozen cauliflower pizza on the market now!

Frozen Fruit to Replace Ice Cream

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This one is less of a carbohydrate replacer and more of just a healthy alternative to unhealthy food, but you can actually make ice cream from certain frozen foods. You might not believe me, but it's true. You can really chop up fruits like bananas, put them in the freezer for a few hours, then run them through the fruit processor and you'll get ice cream. How nuts is that? It's delicious and way healthier.

I hope I've helped guide you a little in replacing some unhealthy foods with some healthier options. I hope to continue helping you on your journey to eat healthier foods with my articles in the near future.

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About the Creator

Megan Medeiros

I have a bachelor's degree in English from James Madison University, where I served as editor of The Tab JMU for two years. Since then, I've been working as a freelance writer. Writing is my passion and I can't imagine a life without it.

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