Carbohydrate substitutes for the Atkins diet

Decreasing carbohydrates with the Atkins diet is easy when you see the wide variety of proteins and vegetables on the list of acceptable foods. However, it takes some time and adjustment to get used to this new way of eating. Much of the American diet revolves around complex carbohydrates such as bread and pasta. Snack foods are full of sugars and refined carbohydrates. This new way of eating will challenge your old habits. However, there are many carbohydrate substitutes that can fill the gap.

Some of the most popular substitutes are sugar substitutes. These can be good or bad, depending on how you react to them. Each person has a different reaction to artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and Splenda. They can be useful in baking low-carb delicacies and sweetening things without the risk of using sugar. However, many people find that the use of artificial sweeteners makes them crave even more sugar. If you want more sweet treats after drinking a soft drink or eating a snack made with Splenda, it is best to remove them completely from your diet.

Bread is the biggest challenge Atkins dieters face when looking at their new diet plans. Bread is a staple food for many people, and eliminating it can be a bit of a problem. There are some low-carb breads available, but you have to watch out for hidden carbohydrates and other unacceptable ingredients. If you're ambitious, you can try making your own bread from almond flour or other non-traditional flour.

Many people say they love pasta, but people seldom just eat it. The best thing about pasta is the topping. So taking those toppings (meat, cheese and vegetables) and putting them over something else is an easy solution. Many people who follow the Atkins plan have discovered that squash is a good substitute for pasta. Spaghetti squash, a yellow orange gourd with stringy inside, is a natural base for homemade meat sauce. Zucchini is also a good substitute for pasta. You can grate it finely or cut it into pieces to serve as a base for sauces. Lasagne is easy to make with large pieces of eggplant as a substitute for noodles. The meat and cheeses used in lasagna have a low carbohydrate content, so you don't have to worry about that.

Another common problem for Atkins dieters is finding a good substitute for rice. A popular solution is the use of cauliflower. Just place the cauliflower florets in a food processor and chop them into pieces until they are rice sized. Then you can put the Price in the microwave without water. The pieces come out fluffy and are ready to be used in stews or as part of a side dish.

Cauliflower is also a popular potato substitute for Atkins dieters. This time puree the cauliflower into a smooth and creamy mass, just like the mashed potatoes. You can add your favorite low-carb topping, such as bacon, sour cream and cheese.

Pizza is a favorite food for many people, but there are Atkins friendly solutions for homemade pizzas that taste just as good. You can make small pizzas with low-carb tortillas as a crust. You can also use the same method with large Portobello mushrooms. If you don't like the alternative crust varieties, you can also try a pizza casserole with all the ingredients in an oven dish.

These substitutes will help you avoid surrendering to your high-carb favorites while following the Atkins diet.