Overindulging in your favourite carbohydrates can contribute to diabetes, weight gain, and other health problems. In order to cater to your comfort cravings without loading up on carbs, try some of these smart substitutions instead.
Cauliflower is an amazingly versatile vegetable. Mix it in with your mashed potatoes to lower the carb count, or turn it into the crust for your next pizza. Smother it in cheese to quiet your macaroni cravings, or slice and dice it into a casserole with bacon and cheddar to take the place of a loaded baked potato. One cup of cauliflower contains five grams of carbs in comparison to these other comfort favourites:
Cut down on your carbohydrate intake and that over-full feeling by substituting cauliflower in your favourite carb-laden recipes.
Cabbage is another low-carb alternative to everything from spaghetti to flour tortillas. Shred it into strips and bake it in sauce to mimic spaghetti, or boil the leaves individually and use them to wrap up your favourite soft taco fixings. Cabbage can also be a staple in soups and stews. One cup of cabbage contains less than two grams of carbs and it's loaded with other good things like potassium and vitamin C.
If you're in love with lasagna but hate that stuffed feeling you get when you over-indulge, try substituting eggplant instead. The pulpy flesh of an eggplant contains potassium, protein, fibre, and only 4.8 grams of carbs per cup. Slice it into strips for baking or sautée slices with marinara and cheese for a killer eggplant Parmesan. Any way you cut it, eggplant is a super substitution for saucy pasta.
There's no need to suffer along without comfort food just because you're taking steps to eat a healthier diet. Kick extreme carbs to the curb, but keep the comfort. Even better, comfort might just show up in the form of a looser waistband or lower blood sugar. And these are two comforts you can't afford to pass up.
