Thursday, January 27, 2011

Actually Healthy Alternatives to Carb Comforts

According to the latest research (and a lot of the books I've been reading, like "The Primal Blueprint" and "Why We Get Fat"), the most likely culprit for obesity and related health problems is carbohydrates.

Unfortunately for those of us trying to get healthy, some of the foods that are highest in carbohydrates are also the foods that are staples of the western diet - bread, rice, and potatoes. If you're anything like me, you grew up on that stuff and can't imagine a life without them. But listen, here's the thing: most of the time that you're eating them, they're just an accessory - it's a holding device for our toppings, it's a convenient scooping device for our tips, it's an absorbing texture for our sauces. It doesn't make sense to consume excessive, unhealthy carbohydrates if they're just there as an accessory.

Thankfully, clever people out there have figured out *actually* healthy alternatives for those accessories, like "cauliflower rice" and "zucchini bread." You can find the recipes for many of the alternatives online, but I discovered them through my new favorite cookbook, Jane Kennedy's "OMG! I can eat that?" I'm making my way through the cookbook now, and thought I would share some of what I've tried so far. Since not all of you will get the cookbook, I've linked each alternative to a similar recipe online. Try them out - you might not like all of them, but atleast you'll be aware that there are less carbalicious options out there for your favorite foods.


If you like... Then try:
Rice Cauliflower Rice
I whip up a batch whenever I've made curry, like the beef/pumpkin one shown here, or my new favorite, Coconut Shrimp Curry.
Mashed Potatoes Cauliflower Mash
I like to eat it with pan-fried steak and asparagus; it's a great texture complement.
Potato Chips Zucchini Chips
I make this as an afternoon snack, and dip them in homemade aioli on the side.
Pizza Crust Zucchini Pizza Crust
We piled our "crusts" high with yummy veggie and meat toppings.
Pita Bread Zucchini Pita
I used the same pizza crust recipe to make pitas for some Lamb Souvlaki.

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