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While we're typically on the prowl for foods that are low in calories and fat, we were super-excited to discover that some of HG's favorite foods and recipes are also low in carbs. Here are THREE awesome food finds, some good carb education, and a ROCKIN' recipe for a low-carb pasta pie!
HG's SHOCKINGLY Low-Carb Food Finds
Tofu Shirataki Noodles
(4 oz.: 20 calories, 0.5g fat, 15mg sodium, 3g carbs, 2g fiber, 0g sugars, 1g protein)
The low-carb find of the CENTURY, these noodles are a nearly perfect spaghetti swap. An entire package of these has just 40 calories and 6 grams of carbs. SIX! There's also a fettuccine-shaped variety, perfect for making low-carb fettuccine alfredo. And see our super recipe below for a fun way to serve up the original spaghetti-shaped ones. Even if you're not a soy fanatic, don't let the tofu in the title throw you. Trust us, if you're a pasta lover who's counting carbs, these noodles are a must-have! Find 'em at Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, select supermarkets, and specialty diet stores in the refrigerated section with the tofu and soy products.
Almond Breeze Non-Dairy Beverage - Unsweetened Vanilla
(8 oz.: 40 calories, 3g fat, 180mg sodium, 2g carbs, 1g fiber, 0g sugars, 1g protein)
This ultra creamy milk substitute has one-sixth the amount of carbs as skim milk, HALF the calories, and it tastes much better. Drink it straight or use it to reduce the carb count in your favorite recipes (like we did with HG's pudding!). This stuff is also great in coffee, smoothies, cereal, and more. Be sure to get the Unsweetened variety, which is also available in Original and Chocolate (Chocolate has 3g carbs per serving), for the extra-low carb and calorie counts. Try adding some no-cal sweetener to the Chocolate stuff for creamy, low-carb, low-calorie chocolate milk. Look for it at select supermarkets, Whole Foods, and at health and natural food stores with the nonrefrigerated soymilks.
Fage Total 0% Greek Yogurt
(One 5.3 oz. container: 80 calories, 0g fat, 55mg sodium, 6g carbs, 0g fiber, 6g sugars, 13g protein)
We flipped over this extra creamy, low-calorie yogurt the first time we tasted it. And we were stoked to uncover that there are just 6 measly carbs in the entire container! This stuff is super versatile, too. Make creamy sauces with it or use it in place of fatty sour cream. Use it to top off fresh fruit, grilled chicken, fish, and more. Or just swallow it straight. Be sure to get the 0% stuff, though, and not the Classic or 2%. Snag some at Trader Joe's, select supermarkets, and other natural, gourmet, and health food stores.
Good Carb, Bad Carb...
Not all carbs are evil. True, it's best to limit your intake of the sugary, processed, starchy ones. But carbs that are high in fiber, natural, and unrefined (as in un-fooled-around-with, not lacking class!) are essential for a well balanced diet that keeps you full and energized.
Fruits - Avoid fruit juices and syrup-soaked canned types. Those are loaded with added sugars (bad carbs). Instead opt for fresh apple slices, berries, melon, and kiwi. Each of those is still relatively low in carbs (not to mention calories) but full of filling fiber, too!
Veggies - Whether raw, steamed, baked, or broiled, vegetables are a great high-fiber source of those good-for-you carbs. Kick your cravings for those starchy bad carbs with some of HG's innovative veggie recipes! Try baked onion rings (made with high-fiber, whole grain cereal) and crispy butternut squash fries (less carbs and calories than greasy potato fries, for sure)!
Whole Grains - Whole wheat, bran, oats, and barley are all awesome additions to any diet. So, you don't have to give up bread, pasta, and cereal completely. Just looks for ones rich in whole grains, high in fiber and low in calories. Remember to seek out that keyword, "whole," on labels. Fiber One cereal, an HG fave, is made mostly from whole wheat and bran, has 14 filling grams of fiber per serving, and is slightly sweetened, so it doesn't taste like cardboard (not even a little bit). Brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and steel-cut oatmeal are some other stellar selections.
Super-Duper (Low-Carb) Spaghetti Pie!
(1/4th pie: 75 calories, <0.5g fat, 320mg sodium, 9g carbs, 2g fiber, 3g sugars, 7.5g protein)
Yup, it's low in carbs yet full of pasta-y fun! Get your forks ready...
Ingredients:
1 package House Foods Tofu Shirataki, Noodle Shaped Tofu
1/2 cup Egg Beaters, Original
1 cup fat-free tomato sauce
1 cup sliced assorted veggies (onions, peppers, mushrooms, etc.)
1/3 cup fat-free mozzarella cheese; shredded
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Drain noodles, rinse, and then dry them VERY well (the more moisture you can soak out of of 'em, the more they taste like real pasta). Cut noodles up a bit as well. In a round oven-safe baking dish, combine noodles, veggies, Egg Beaters and 3/4 cup of tomato sauce (save the other 1/4 cup for topping). Bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until firm. Remove from oven and spread remaining tomato sauce atop pie. Next, sprinkle cheese on top. Return to oven until cheese has melted. Allow to cool (if you can!) and enjoy. Makes 4 (huge!) slices.
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