Pasta, Pizza, and Fries: Satisfy These Popular Carb Cravings With Tasty and Healthy Alternatives
Curb the carbs and calories with nutrient-dense and flavourful choices
If only pasta could be engineered without the carbohydrates — we would all enjoy lasagna on a regular basis, in sync with Garfield’s world. And the same euphoria could be enjoyed for pizza and fries as well.
For now, there are healthier options Mother Nature has in store for us that won’t lead to unpleasant and unhealthy blood sugar spikes — among other negative impacts on our bodies and minds.
Besides bypassing a bloated stomach, you’ll overall be in better shape with weight management and energy levels with the help of these healthy exchanges.
Instead of Pasta
When in Rome, there’s pasta. When at home, there’s pasta. It’s comfort food that spans many centuries, continents, and cupboards. However, it also expands the stomach.
What’s more, it’s the type of food that rapidly digests and absorbs into your system. The consequence of this speed: Your blood sugar drops in a similar fashion.
And this is why a feeling of fatigue is often associated with pasta and its food coma accomplices.
To avoid falling asleep at your desk, you can turn to spaghetti squash, instead of your typical choice of noodle.
Aptly named after the pasta variant, the otherwise unassuming squash reveals its magic, and where it earns its name from, after it has been cooked.
Just like boiling pasta, it’s very easy to prepare. Simply, cut open the squash once it has been steamed or baked. Next, using a fork, glide it across the beautiful yellow flesh, expressing the spaghetti-like strands. And there you have it — your pasta.
You’ll be rewarded with these beautiful, thin strands, that are ready to be tossed with your favourite spaghetti sauce or pesto paste. You can garnish your soups with it as well for an elegant and healthy presentation.
In addition to looking and tasting awesome, this squash contains a variety of vitamins, including vitamin A, vitamin C, and beta-carotene.
Rather than Pizza
Pizza has a special place in many hearts and stomachs. Yet it is an unrequited love. Typically considered junk food, the attractive and addictive combination of carbs and fats comes with a particular price tag — your health.
And the overall cost doesn’t give much back in terms of health benefits.
While exciting toppings, delicious crust, rich sauce, and luscious cheese yet make for a truly comforting and joyful experience, it’s one that is high in calories and sodium.
And pizzas of all varieties are certainly loaded with carbohydrates, which is a certain concern for careful moderation.
Many pizzerias and fast-food joints have yet taken notice of the need for healthier alternatives, especially starting with the base. Lots of them now offer gluten-free options and even low-carb keto-friendly crusts.
However, these options will never surpass your home’s health standard — there’s always a home advantage when it comes to preparing healthier foods from your kitchen.
Instead, you can leverage a whole wheat pita or tortilla, topped with low-fat mozzarella or ricotta cheese for the foundations of a delicious homemade pizza.
Admittedly, while this configuration doesn’t come nearly as close to the taste and feel of a pizza from your favourite pizza place, you’ll definitely have the portion control down pat.
Because each pita and tortilla is roughly the size of a small pizza that you’d otherwise order, you’ll already have your own personal-size portion. And this is great news for reducing your overall intake of carbohydrates.
To prepare, spread tomato sauce or pesto paste on your pita or tortilla, finishing it with your toppings and cheeses of choice. Bake it as per usual until it is crispy, melted, and delicious; alternatively, you can place it under the broiler. Without needing to be cooked, the pizza alternative won’t take long in the oven.
Not only is this a great last-minute meal but also a healthy one. Importantly, on the nutrition front, adding whole wheat carbohydrates to your diet can help you lose weight and reduce your chances of diabetes and heart disease.
In Place of Fries
Likewise addicting besides a slice of pizza is a stack of deep-fried, salty potato fries. But they’re not the best idea around if you’re looking to watch your consumption of carbs.
Cue the sweet potato: Offering more fibre, fewer overall carbs, and a whole array of vitamins, the orange root vegetable makes for a healthier choice. And it’s delicious.
To make a batch, simply peel and cut sweet potatoes; toss them in olive oil; and season them with a little sprinkling of salt, baking them until crispy. Add your favourite herbs and spices to make this even yummier.
Your fixation on something as close to a potato will be more than satisfied with this salty, sweet, and satiating swap. You’ll feel more satisfied since sweet potatoes pack plenty of fibre.
Along with reduced sugar cravings, you’ll enjoy an improved mood, energy, and digestion, if you incorporate these orange jewels in to your regular diet.
As always, it is a great idea to consult with your primary healthcare provider and registered dietitian about healthier food alternatives and meal plans.
Related: Flavourful Plant-Based Beginnings: The 3 Essential Seasonings To Always Have on Hand
