8 Low Carb Swaps You Need in Your Kitchen

If you’re like most people, you probably love the occasional carb fix. However, certain carbs can tend to leave you feeling uncomfortably full and sluggish. According to Mayo Clinic, switching to a low carb diet may be beneficial for weight loss because it lowers insulin levels, causing the body to burn stored fat for energy. We’ve came up with a list low carb swaps to lighten up your favorite meals and snacks.

Of course, the idea of ditching some of your favorite carbs might feel daunting. But it doesn’t have to! There are some fantastic substitutes that you may love even more. The best part is, they can all fit into your Nutrisystem program!

Living a Low Carb Lifestyle? 10 Tips for Success

Here are eight low carb swaps that you need in your kitchen:

1. Quinoa for Rice

quinoa

Due to their similarities in texture and consistency, chances are you won’t even notice this swap. Actually, many people prefer the slightly nutty flavor that quinoa adds to their dishes. Though it still contains carbs, quinoa has more fiber and protein than rice says Healthline. It is one of the rare vegetarian foods that is a complete protein, containing all nine of the essential amino acids.

2. Cauliflower for Mashed Potatoes

cauliflower

Love mashed potatoes but trying to follow a low carb diet? Mashed and steamed cauliflower can give you a very similar texture and taste. Add a dash of salt and a little bit of butter and you’ll be surprised how delicious you’ll find this unlikely alternative. Like quinoa, this cruciferous veggie is also a great swap for rice and other foods. Click here for cauliflower recipes you’ll love >

3. Zoodles for Noodles

zoodles

Using zucchini noodles or “zoodles” in place of pasta is a great way to still enjoy some of your favorite pasta dishes on a low carb diet. Zucchini is low in carb, high in fiber and creates the perfect noodle shape when used with a spiralizer. Many other veggies also create great noodles. Click the link below for some more creative ideas!

5 Veggies That Make Awesome Pasta Substitutes

4. Nuts for Croutons

low carb swaps

If you love a crunch in your salad, nuts and seeds can be a great replacement to the carby crouton. Almonds, pine nuts, cashews and walnuts are low in carbs and tasty with any salad variation. They also have the added benefit of giving your salad some additional flavor, making it even more enjoyable.

5. Veggie Slices for Potato Chips

low carb swaps

You don’t have to reach for a bag of chips to get a crispy snack. One of the best low carb swaps you can make is for raw veggies! Slice veggies into round coins so they are similar to the shape of a chip and the perfect size for dipping. Sliced cucumbers, radishes, zucchini and carrots make especially good alternatives given their crunch factor. Served with a side of low-fat ranch dip, you’ll get plenty of flavor satisfaction without filling up on fat, calories and carbs.

6. Carrots for French Fries

low carb swaps

Grocery stores are making our lives much easier with many pre-cut veggie options. You might even find veggies that are made into fun shapes like fries! With the right blend of seasonings and a simple roasting, carrots can make a delicious and guilt-free swap for greasy, carb-heavy French fries. Just be sure to roast or air fry as opposed to deep frying. If carrots are not your favorite veggie, click the link below to find some other veggies that make tasty fries!

5 Veggies That Make Awesome Fries

7. Lettuce for Tortillas

lettuce wraps

Lettuce will add very little calories to any sandwich or wrap that you’d like to enjoy, while still giving you a means to hold everything together. It also adds some satisfying crunch and a vegetable serving to your meal. There are so many different ways to get creative with lettuce. Use them for tacos, burritos, wraps, sandwiches or burgers. You can’t go wrong with this healthy low carb swap!

8. Portobello Mushrooms for Hamburger Buns

low carb swaps

Burgers can be a great low carb option, however, the bun around them can wreak havoc on your diet. Portobello mushrooms are the perfect swap so that you can still enjoy grilling with your family and friends. They add unique flavor to your favorite burger patty, have a relatively close texture to a bun and come with the added benefit of being low carb. It’s a swap you can feel great about from all accounts.

Lower Carb Versions of 10 Popular Meals

The post 8 Low Carb Swaps You Need in Your Kitchen appeared first on The Leaf.

How to Make a Healthy Charcuterie Board

There’s no question that charcuterie boards are currently all the rage. While it’s certainly not a new idea—in fact, charcuterie style eating dates back to the 15 th century in France, according to TimesColonist.com—social media has blown this trend up. Whether for the holidays or just an everyday get-together, a classic charcuterie board is a great way to entertain. While these delicious spreads are a ton of fun, they’re not necessarily known for being terribly healthy. After all, Oxford Languages defines charcuterie as “cold cooked meats.” A charcuterie board is traditionally known for featuring a wide variety of cured meats and cheeses. But that’s not to say that you must be resigned to certain choices. There are certainly ways to boost the nutrition power and make a healthy, low-calorie charcuterie board with ingredients that you and your guests will still love. Here are a few of our best tips. 5 Delicious Mocktail Recipes You’ll Love Read More Step 1: Make wise low-calo...

Here's when calories really matter

The divide continues to grow between those who swear by the “calories in vs. calories out” method and those who tout that body composition changes will come by following a nutrient-dense whole-food diet. When counseling clients, starting out many of them have these types of pre-conceived beliefs on how they should be losing weight or making changes to their body composition overall. Acknowledging calories continue to be a hot topic of conversation, we’ll dive into the science of calories, the complexity of them and when they really matter. What is a calorie? A calorie, as we often see it on a nutrition label, is actually a kilocalorie. To make it simple for consumers, it became a Calorie with a capital C, and since then has been used so often without the capital C that we just use calorie. The true Calorie, or kilocalorie, is a measure of the energy required to raise one kilogram of water one degree Celsius. Originally, the calorie value of a food was determined by burning i...

What is Ranch Water? The Summer Cocktail You Need to Try

Losing weight in the summertime can be tough. From unhealthy picnic food to drinks at the beach bar, it can be hard to resist the warm weather temptations that try to sabotage your success. However, with a little planning and some simple swaps, you can stay on track with your weight loss goals while still partaking in some summer fun! All you need is some healthy recipes for the grill , some summer-inspired sweet treats and a go-to, weight loss-friendly cocktail that you can sip on all season long. For us, that cocktail is Ranch Water; the refreshing beverage that’s easy to make, easy to enjoy and easy to incorporate into your weight loss plan! What is Ranch Water? In short, Ranch Water is the trendy summer cocktail that’s perfect for chilling out and staying cool in the summer heat. It’s a super simple drink that only requires three ingredients to make: Tequila Lime juice Topo Chico Mineral Water 1 Never had Topo Chico? This refreshing water is a naturally carbonated minera...

Beautiful Amazing World

Search This Blog