Low Carb: 6 Swaps to Satisfy Your Cravings

Got a craving for carbs? Based on the typical American diet, you’re not alone.

In case you haven’t noticed, people eat a lot of high-carb foods like bread, pizza, pasta, cereals + foods and drinks with added sugar. Your palate gets used to eating this way, and so does your brain.

Your body uses carbs for energy, but too many carbs can lead to weight gain and other health problems. So how do you still enjoy your favorite foods without overloading on carbs?

Make these simples swaps to stop your carb cravings and enjoy healthy and tasty Low-Carb meals:

1. Pancakes

At a glance, this is no doubt a high-carb breakfast...especially if you lather it in syrup. But it doesn’t have to be.

The swap: Make pancakes with oats (instead of white flour) and use cottage cheese to bind it together. Oats still have carbs, but this version is packed with fiber, protein, and other nutrients.

Or try these Low-Carb breakfast meals:

• Breakfast Scramble, Hashbrowns & Asparagus

• Cheese Omelet & Salsa, Broccoli & Hash Browns
• Cheese Omelet, Broccoli & Cinnamon Apples
• Fried Egg Patties, Sweet Potatoes & Asparagus
• Plain Omelet, Sweet Potatoes & Broccoli

2. White rice

White rice is a common staple with a lot of meals, especially Asian and Mexican dishes. But it’s high in carbs. And most people eat a lot more than a half-cup serving.

The swap: Instead of white rice, try quinoa. It’s a whole grain packed with protein, and takes longer to digest than white rice. Brown, pilaf, and florentine rice are better options than white rice, too.

• Baked Tilapia, Brown Rice & Minted Carrots
• Chicken Paprika with Brown Rice & Green Beans
• Grilled Chicken with Florentine Rice, Asparagus & Carrots
• Tilapia & Rice Pilaf with Mushroom & Artichoke Hearts

3. Pasta

You might like popular pastas like spaghetti, fettucini, and macaroni, but they’re high in carbs. Whole-grain pasta options are a little better, but they’re still high in carbs.

The swap: Skip the pasta and use spaghetti squash instead. It’s healthier, contains fewer carbs, and the texture is pretty similar to cooked pasta. Some other low-carb meals with squash you might like include:

4. Pizza Crust

It’s no secret people love pizza loaded with pepperoni, cheese and other topics. But it’s the crust that’s highest in carbs. Is there a way to make your own low-carb pizza?

The swap: Instead of building a pizza on a crust high in carbs, create the bottom layer of a homemade pizza with zucchini slices. Sounds weird, right? It actually tastes really good with pizza sauce and your favorite toppings sprinkled with mozzarella cheese.

5. Sandwiches

Slap two pieces of bread together with your favorite fillings. Peanut butter and jelly or meat, cheese and veggies are the most popular. The problem...there’s a lot of carbs in those two pieces of bread.

The swap: Wrap your sandwich in lettuce leaves, sans the bread. Or go for a low-carb tortilla option.

6. Mashed potatoes

Mashed potatoes. In small amounts, this can still be a carb-friendly food. But most people like to eat a mountain of mashed potatoes instead of a serving size.

The swap: Boil or bake cauliflower. Then mash and blend with a little milk, salt, and plain Greek yogurt until it’s smooth. FYI...you may like this even better than mashed potatoes.

Looking for more ways to cut carbohydrates and still enjoy great food? Check out the complete menu of Low-Carb meals made from fresh ingredients and ready to eat in minutes.