Carb-rich foods are delicious, but unfortunately, the way our bodies metabolise starch after it’s consumed can be problematic. When carbohydrates break down they become glucose (sugar) and are stored as fat (1) when consumed in high volumes.

So, the troubling dilemma presents itself: sift through which of your favorite foods are “okay” to eat from time to time, or enjoy more sensible starches regularly. We’ve put together a list of alternatives, so you can have your cake and eat it, too!

Don’t Eat This Eat This
 

Fries.
Deep fried little devils, French fries are a no-go for anyone trying to eat consciously

 Baked Potato Wedges
Baked potato wedges offer all that French fry and potato goodness, minus the oil and saturated fat.
 

Pasta
Pasta tastes great, but it doesn’t have much to offer when it comes to nutrients and vitamins. And when trying to make every carb count, there’s not much room for noodles.

 Zucchini Pasta
The best part of pasta is the shape and texture, and with zucchini pasta you get the full package without the extra helping of carbs.
Pastries
You often hear that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, which is why pastries made of sugar and carbs are not the fresh start you’re looking for.		  

Breakfast Frittata
When it comes to starting your day, opt for protein over carbs. You’ll feel fuller for longer and that means less unhealthy snack choices throughout the day. Eggs in the form of a delectable breakfast frittata are a fancy and filling start to anyone’s day.
 

Mashed Potatoes
There’s something about the combination of creamy and savory that’s divine, but when you consider the average serving of mashed potatoes contains more than 15% of your suggested carbohydrate intake, you have to consider alternatives.

 (2) Mashed Cauliflower
A fan of the milk, butter and sour cream in mashed potatoes, but not the carbs? Try subbing cauliflower for potatoes and you’ll have the same creamy goodness plus an extra helping of vitamin C. (4)
 

Pizza
The average slice of pizza contains anywhere from 8-15% of your daily allotted carbs.(3) And while it can seem hard to give up the cheese and crust, you can’t argue that it is simply healthier to swap it for something more sensible.

 Portobello Pizza
Try a different take on pizza (with the same amount of pizazz). When you opt for a portobello mushroom instead of dough crust, you get 5 grams of protein and almost none of the carbs.(5)

 

Still finding it hard to cut out carbs? Products like Modere’s Carb Blocker can give you a helping hand by reducing the number of carbs your body metabolizes. So, you can keep up the good fight with a little bit less guilt when you find cheating to be irresistible.

Carb Blocker delays the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates to help you lose the weight. Always read the label. Use only as directed. Healthy weight loss requires a balanced, calorie responsible meal plan and regular exercise.

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(1)SFGATE. What Is Bad About Starches Medically? healthyeating.sfgate.com
(2)SELFNutritionData. Potatoes, mashed, home-prepared, whole milk and butter added. nutritondata.self.com
(3)Scott, Jennifer. Pizza Nutrition Facts. verywell.com
(4)The world’s healthiest foods. Cauliflower. whfoods.com
(5)SELFNutritionData. Mushrooms, portabella, grilled. nutritiondata.self.com