Carb alternatives?
Posted by Chicyuna on Jul 16, 2007 · Member since Oct 2005 · 124 posts
I've been really trying to watch my carb intake lately as I've never been a big fan of bread and pasta anyways. When I make a dish that requires spaghetti or rice, I'll just make some spagetti squash or sliced zuchinni. Don't get me wrong. I do eat some grains (like oats or quinoa), it's just not very often. However, I've been kinda wanting some "mac and cheese", minus the elbow noodles. Does anyone have a suggestion as to what I could use? Maybe some broccoli or cauliflower?
You know, grain type carbs are good for you too. It is easy to OD on the white kind and I can see the concern, BUT your body needs them. Why not look for a white/whole wheat variety that is going to be better than all white, but not the heavy of the 100% whole wheat? It is a good bridge for those of us who feel that whole wheat pasta is a bit gross (even after years of eating it).
I have used Dragonfly's Uncheese Sauce with whole wheat pasta, putting fresh chopped tomato, ribbons of fresh spinach, loads of sliced 'shrooms and finely sliced sweet onion in it, tossed with the pasta and uncheese sauce. It made it more cheesy satisfying with the veggies and I added so many veggies it was 50% pasta and 50% veg on the plate. It satisfied the yen without packing it with starchy carbs (gotta remember, your fruit and veg counts up as carbs, but they are "light" carbs meaning that yeah, it is a carbohydrate but it has loads of fiber and vitamins, rather than a "heavy" starch carb which has calories, little fiber (white) and stomach stodge).
I am also a firm believer that if you are craving mac and cheez there is something in it that your body needs. Say no to your tongue and you tell your body cells no too. EAT SOME.
I'm not saying they're bad for you, but here's the problem. I feel ill and heavy after eating them. So I'm thinking I have a bit of an intolerance to them. If I do eat grains, I NEVER eat white! That stuff is crap for you! White bread, white rice and white pasta are like poison, if you ask me, and I've known that for years. And yes, I realize that veggies are carbs as well. While I appreciate your advice, I'm well aware of how carbs are good for you and that you need them (I'm a long distance runner). I'm simply looking for alternatives. And because I feel ill afterwards, I'm trying to limit grains as much as possible. And if I'm craving mac and cheese, perhaps I'm craving the "cheese" (nutritional yeast)?
Yeah, as far as cravings go...quite often we crave things that are very bad for us. For instance, someone with Candidiasis will crave sugar because the Candida organism thrives on it. It's not really you craving the sugar, it's the Candida (yeast). Also, coffee drinkers crave coffee because it's addictive. Same with chocolate. Also, lots of us crave high fat foods because they just plain taste good, on top of being satiating.
Not to completely debunk the "craving things your body needs" theory. There are times when we crave foods with certain vitamins and minerals in them that we are deficient in.
For pasta, you could try shiritaki noodles. The kind that I've had are made from yams, and have next to no calories. They're kind of interesting when you take them out of the package - they smell a little like fish (but of course aren't made from fish). They're reminiscent of rice noodles - pretty good actually. They might not go well with vegan cheese sauces though - probably best with asian flavours or in soups.
I've seen adds online for tofu shiritaki noodles (but I don't remember the brand). From what I remember, they're made from soy, are low in calories, and have a substantial protein content. I haven't found them in stores yet, but if you do, they might be a good alternative as well.
Hope that helps!
I eat the tofu shirataki noodles on a regular basis; you can get them at Whole Foods if you're interested. They're cheap- $1.99/bag. I think each bag is 8oz?
They're something rediculiously low like 20 calories per 4 oz serving; you have to parboil them to get rid of the "fishy" smell that laurabs referred to. They're really good!
Yes, but you see I don't have chocolate cravings or white food cravings, nor for chips and crap. I apologize, I think I forget that others do have these feelings.
What I follow is, if it is healthy food like a particular veggie or fruit, or a certain whole grain (quinoa is something I love) then I eat it. Right now, I am craving mushrooms something awful, and I have been eating kiwis which I was craving, but don't even really like. I am on a fruit binge and I am not a fruit eater much. I figure, if I am wanting it that badly, I had better be having it.
I see what you are getting at. Dr. Christiana Northrup says that about 1/3 of all women cannot tolerate grains and certainly glucose intolerance is nasty with that heavy, sleepy feeling after it is eaten. I used the Zone diet years ago and it permanently changed my view of starches and grains. On that diet, you have to limit grains to 1/4 to 1/3 cup for a serving (1/2 c is rule of thumb) and only once a day, but oatmeal is okay to have daily with fruit. Being that mom was carb packer and I was raised as a carb packer, the idea that so little was enough was rough! BUT it is still the way I eat grain, which is why I suggested cutting mac cheese with 50% veggies.
I didn't mean to insult your intelligence. Perhaps I have mistaken the question?
I eat the tofu shirataki noodles on a regular basis; you can get them at Whole Foods if you're interested. They're cheap- $1.99/bag. I think each bag is 8oz?
I thought this is the best kept secret of Asia. It is wide used and made into all sort of fake meat in Asia. I have been eating this for years as a diet food. I bought this at Japanese store only the yam noodle ($1.09) with 0 carlorie and high fiber. You can cook in water with cooking wine ( a few drops) for 30 seconds will get rid of the odor. It fill up the stomach very fast!
For instance, someone with Candidiasis will crave sugar because the Candida organism thrives on it.
Yikes @ that sentence... like pod-people science fiction! Gross and creepy to think that a craving could come on because "the Candida organism" demands sugar, lol!
I didn't know about that, that's interesting stuff.
They're cheap- $1.99/bag. I think each bag is 8oz?
I thought this is the best kept secret of Asia. It is wide used and made into all sort of fake meat in Asia. I have been eating this for years as a diet food. I bought this at Japanese store only the yam noodle ($1.09) with 0 carlorie and high fiber.
Lucky you, the kind that I can get are WAY more expensive than $1.99 or $1.09 a bag... maybe they're just more expensive in Canada...
I really enjoy brown rice pasta. It is a delicate balance to cook it enough but not too much but it is worth it. My favorite is spirals. I can find them at my regular Super Stop & Shop's natural foods nook.
If you do not want any sort of pasta or rice at all what about making a veggie gnocchi? Potato, sweet potato, butternut squash and / or zucchini? ooo oooo! Eggplant!!
I've always been creeped out by it too! It's like having an alien in your body...kind of.
I am just curious but what do you fuel up on after/before a long run if not carbs?
ok. tonight i made a cheesy nutritional yeast sauce for the first time and while i was waiting for the other part of the meal to finish cooking i wanted to dip stuff into it. one of things being baby bella mushrooms and it totally made me think of this thread. i think mushrooms, either baby bella or the white ones maybe cut into 8ths or so would be a great replacement for noodles in a mac & cheese dish. i ate them raw, but i guess you could cook them a little if you wanted them softer. they have a mild flavor that adds to it & mushrooms are super good for you with very little calories (and they can be pretty filling) i think i'm probably gonna use them in the future for mac & cheese.. or mush & cheese.. or shrooms & cheese...?
you could also use bean sprouts like noodles - steam 'em up and add some soy/soya sauce.
I am just curious but what do you fuel up on after/before a long run if not carbs?
After I'm done my run in the morning, I fuel up on my protein shake. It's about 1/2 cup soy yogurt and 1/2 cup water, 1 banana, some other fruit (this morning I had strawberries), some Fibre Smart, and a scoop of Hemp Protein. I personally find that I feel lighter and healthier when I drink this rather than fuel up on toast or a bagel. Those just weigh me down, and I feel tired within a few hours. My drink keeps me going until lunch. I always run first thing in the morning on a predominately empty stomach. I can't eat anything before hand or else I'll get side stitches. I realize that many trainers would say you should eat something to fuel yourself up, but every body is different and has different needs. Mine tells me that I don't need to eat anything before I run. I feel lighter and faster, and I feel I can go longer. I listen to my own body's needs, and that's what I go by. I've tried running after I've eaten something light, but my body rejects it and tells me so by my performance.