Carbs and bread have been the consistent enemy of healthy eaters and those that are gluten free. With their rich flavors and soft textures, flour products seem like a necessary evil, but they don’t have to be! There are ALWAYS ways around eating carbs, while still enjoying your food. Here are just a few healthy options!
1. Cauliflower Fried Rice
Photo courtesy of SkinnyTaste.com
By itself, cauliflower is such a bland, blank canvas, that it can be easily molded into a variety of different carby foods. It is often crumbled into pieces and disguised as “cauliflower rice,” which can be seasoned and dressed in any style. To make things more interesting, fry it up with more veggies, egg and meat, like traditional fried rice! Check out this recipe from SkinnyTaste.com.
2. Sweet Potato Pancakes
Photo courtesy of Happy Healthy Mama
A lot of recipes for sweet potato pancakes will still include a portion of flour or mix to make sure the batter binds and rises correctly. But for the more hardcore healthy chef, you just have to add a good amount of egg and baking soda, and spend a little extra time over the stove. No flour necessary! For more flavor, mix in mashed banana, cinnamon and vanilla. Happy Healthy Mama makes it even easier with this two ingredient recipe.
3. Spaghetti Squash Mac ‘N Cheese
Photo courtesy of Popsugar.com
Spaghetti Squash can turn any pasta dish into a low-carb, gluten free option. It takes some prep work (cutting, baking and scooping the squash), but the vegetables stringy insides create a noodle substitute that pairs well with any sauce. Here is a spaghetti squash version of everyone’s favorite comfort food from Popsugar.com.
4. Zucchini Lasagna
Photo courtesy of Ben Fink
The fact that this lasagna is made with a vegetable instead of pasta will be completely masked by thick layers of sauce and cheese. Once baked, the thin slices of zucchini have a soft, rubbery texture easily mistaken for the usual sheets of noodle. Add ground beef, extra cheese and more veggies, and no one will even miss the carbs. Here is one way to make it from Epicurious!
5. Turkey Roll Ups
Photo courtesy of Rachel Ray Every Day
Instead of a tortilla, you can use a few thick slices of lunch meat to hold your sandwich together. Flip any classic wrap inside-out, and stuff all of your low-carb ingredients back in. Big pieces of lettuce can also sub in for a tortilla, but if you are sick of the bland crunch of a lettuce wrap, these turkey roll ups offer a lot more flavor. Try this recipe for a turkey and spinach roll up from Rachel Ray Every Day.
If you have your own bread alternatives and healthy tips, comment below!
