10 Ways to Avoid (or Reduce) Carbs

10 Ways to Avoid (or Reduce) Carbs

We all know and love carbohydrates, some of us perhaps more than others.  I would be a dirty liar if I told you I didn’t love any kind of cookie, cake, or chocolate-dipped treat.  Perhaps you’re more of a mashed potatoes and French fries kind of girl, but whatever your weakness in the carbohydrate department, we can all relate.  Carbs are everywhere.  They are difficult to avoid and nearly impossible to resist when wiggled in front of our faces.  By cutting back on certain kinds of carbs, you can whittle your waistline, have more energy, and feel in greater control of your health and your life.  Cutting carbs completely out of your diet is never a good idea, as carbs provide necessary energy and balance to your diet, but when you do choose carbs, it’s important to choose the right ones.  Here are 10 simple swaps you can make at every meal (and in between!) to help curb your carb cravings and leave you satisfied.   

1. Try spaghetti squash instead of pasta.  Spaghetti squash can be found in the produce section of most grocery stores, and once baked and scraped out of its shell, looks just like spaghetti.  One cup costs you just 40 calories.  Top with a natural tomato-based sauce for the ultimate pasta fake-out.
2. Swap white flours for protein-packed blended chickpeas when cooking… Try Chocolate Covered Katie’s recipe for Deep Dish Cookie Pie (which can also be divided up into cupcake tins for a more cookie-like treat) if you don’t believe me.  This recipe will change the way you bake – possibly forever. http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2011/05/31/deep-dish-cookie-pie/

3. ALWAYS choose sweet potatoes over white potatoes.  Sweet potato can be boiled, mashed, grilled, or sliced and baked into fries. 
4. Add spinach to typically carb-heavy dishes like macaroni and cheese, risotto, or even brownies to add volume in place of more starch.
5. Try kale chips instead of regular chips by drizzling a teaspoon of olive oil on kale leaves and baking them in the oven at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  Season lightly with oregano or pepper. 
6. At breakfast swap sugary cereal for protein-rich oatmeal.  Instead of feeling the high and low of a sugar rush, you’ll feel full for hours.
7. Use large lettuce leaves in place of bread to make lettuce-wraps, or eat your sandwiches open-faced at lunch for half the amount of carbs of a regular sandwich.
8. My friend Hannah nibbles on frozen banana slices when she needs a finger-food fix instead of chips or crackers.  The potassium from the banana chunks will prevent muscle-soreness after your workouts.  Frozen grapes also make for the perfect go-to snack!
9. At dinner, add chickpeas, kidney beans, or black beans instead of crotons to your salads, and ALWAYS ask for the dressing on the side. 
10. Try a cup of Greek yogurt with a sprinkle of fruit or nuts instead of cookies, cakes, or pastries for dessert.  The protein will leave you full and satisfied.

Not only will you feel great when you cut excess carbs from your diet, but you’ll look great in your skinny jeans, too!