Photo Credit: zulumuscle.blogspot.com
An easy way to accelerate weight loss is to cut the majority of starchy carbohydrates from your diet. Unfortunately, starchy carbs are usually the more indulgent parts of our meals, making them hard to cut out. Carbohydrates aren’t all bad though. They’re our main source of energy and the most nutritious food items in the world are packed with carbohydrates. This includes: broccoli, raspberries, tomatoes, blueberries, mangoes, apples and more. The issue with starchy carbs (bread, rice, pasta, cereals) is that they are packed with a TON of calories and very little nutritional value. The types of carbs I referenced which come from fruits and veggies are dense in nutrition, but low on calories. The best way to remove starchy carbs from your diet is by substituting them with tasty alternatives. Check out these common carbohydrates, their healthy substitutes, and the amount of carbohydrates you’ll be eliminating by making the switch.
1. Substitute Spaghetti Squash for Spaghetti. Spaghetti Squash is best cooked by baking it in the oven and can be served with a various assortment of other healthy choices such as in this recipe. (Save 30 grams of carbs per cup)
2. Substitute Mashed Cauliflower for Mashed Potatoes. Cauliflower is very simple to cook, and only takes 10 minutes to boil until perfect tenderness; then, all you have to do is mash. (Save 30 grams of carbs per cup)
3. Substitute Oatmeal, Cottage Cheese, and Egg Whites for Pancake Mix. Pancakes tend to have a plethora of carbs overall; try this healthy recipe that will allow you to get the same tasty flavor without all the starchy carbs. (Save 45 grams of carbs per pancake)
4. Substitute Mixed Vegetable Salad for Pasta Salad. Vegetable Salads can be made with various assortments of vegetables that compliment each other; not only can you switch it up, but you’ll cut carbs dramatically. (Save 10 grams of carbs per cup of salad)
5. Substitute Eggplant for Pasta. Eggplant is a very healthy alternative to pasta, and there is a variety of eggplant dishes that can be made with the same ingredients that you would put in any pasta dish. Simply bake the eggplant with a little bit of light cheese on top to create a lower carb Italian dish. (Save 26 grams per cup of pasta)
Making smart substitutions, you can cut out a lot of starchy carbs without losing the tastes and textures you love.
