Healthy Carb Alternatives That Don’t Suck

It really is one of life’s awful ironies that carb-heavy foods are not good for us. While eating foods like pasta and bread are totally fine in moderation, it can be hard to strike a healthy balance in your diet. However, there are plenty of tasty carb alternatives that you can try out that will have you wondering if they’re actually the real thing.

Spaghetti Squash

This is one of the most common of pasta alternatives and is hardly discernible from real spaghetti. Start by cutting spaghetti squash in half, and discard the seeds. Add some olive oil, salt, and pepper and bake it in the oven for about 40 minutes at 400 °F. Use a fork to scrape the inside, and witness how this once stiff vegetable turns into noodles – it’s magic! Spaghetti squash contains only 5 grams of net carbs, zero fat, and 1 gram of protein per cup. In addition to these healthy macros, you can count on getting an optimal amount of magnesium and calcium. Add some pasta sauce and some basil, and you got yourself a delicious, and nutritious pasta alternative.

Cloud Bread

Don’t we all love bread, but our bodies might not agree with the deliciously processed carb. Enter: cloud bread. This low-carb, low-fat, high-protein bread alternative is tasty, fluffy, and will have you forgetting it’s not even real bread. Cloud bread is made with only four ingredients – eggs, cream cheese, cream of tartar, and salt. Check out this fantastic recipe from Perfect Keto so you can try it out for yourself.

Cauliflower Rice

Starchy rice is a staple in many cuisines, and too much rice can be a carb overload. With cauliflower rice, you can cut back on the carbs and calories. Chopping up cauliflower using a food-processor brings it to the same consistency as regular rice, and can be eaten plain, or cooked in a skillet just like fried rice. One cup of cauliflower rice contains about 25 calories, while a cup of regular brown rice contains about 215 calories. For those watching their calorie intake, cauliflower rice is an excellent substitution. 

Miracle Noodles

Also known as shirataki noodles, miracle noodles are carb-free and calorie-free. Yep, you read that right. Zero carbs and calories. These clear noodles are made from glucomannan, a fiber that comes from the konjac root. They quickly absorb the flavor of whatever they’re cooked in, making it a very versatile ingredient. These are excellent for making a healthy pad thai or ramen, and can be found in most health-focused grocery stores like Sprouts and Trader Joe’s.

Zucchini & Avocado Fries

French fries, as we all know, are delicious, especially paired with a burger. But this meal is a serious carb-fest, and often exceeds your recommended carbohydrate daily intake. If you’re craving french fries, to get your fry fix by slicing up some zucchini or avocado and dipping them in panko and garlic powder. Then fry them in some canola oil for a delicious addition to your meal.