4.Lettuce wraps
Trendy restaurants have been wrapping chicken, turkey and veggies in lettuce for several years, but individuals at home have the same option, along with a variety of other greens, to cut down on the white bread that is an unfortunate hands-down favorite of many sandwich eaters.
Try seasoned white beans in kale leaves topped with marinara. Registered dietitian and nutritionist Marisa Moore said, “Collard greens, kale, chard and lettuce leaves are a nutritious way to cut calories on sandwiches and a good replacement for taco ‘shells’ too.”2
She added that this type of veggies-for-grains swapping can save as much as 300 calories in one meal.
5.Applewich
Sandwiches are a convenient option for a quick meal. Bread is the obvious go-to for the outer portion for many, but a fun way to make the swap is to replace the bread with apple slices.
Cut an apple so that you have two circular slices about a quarter-inch thick and spread each slice with nut butter. Then top each layer with additions like pumpkin seeds, cinnamon or dried cherries. When you press them together, the nut butter keeps the extras from falling out.
6.Whipped cauliflower
According to Nutrition Data, the nutritional differences between 100 grams of white potatoes and the same amount of cauliflower makes the latter nutritionally superior.
The potato has 2 grams of fiber, 1 gram of sugar and 21 grams of carbohydrates.3 Steamed cauliflower has 3 grams of fiber, 2 grams of sugar and only 5 grams of carbohydrates.4
You may have seen it on social media, the yummy alternative to the white potato that’s been the only option up to now for mashed, buttery goodness.Cauliflower florets “riced” in a food processor and steamed is simply delicious as a stand in, and might even become your new favorite option. Try adding a dash of celery root, onion powder and/or garlic powder with a little salt, and you won’t be disappointed.
7.Carrot “noodles”
Spiralized zucchini, affectionately known as “zoodles,” are a “thing” in circles where delicious alternative dishes are explored with gusto, but carrot noodles work well, too, or simply slice them thinly. As a pasta substitute, you end up eating fewer carbs, and the texture is pleasingly crunchy. Thai peanut sauce is a great topping for this dish, and it’s not only low-carb but gluten-free.