Healthy, complex carbohydrates are an essential part of everyone’s diet. They’re the main source of energy for your body and keep you alert and focused throughout the day.
Unfortunately, many people consume excessive amounts of simple carbohydrates. This can lead to weight gain, energy dips, and other problems throughout the day. Luckily, it’s simple to fix this problem by substituting carbs like bread, for other foods. Below, we offer five simple alternatives to bread to help you do just that.
Healthy Bread Alternatives
1: Lettuce wraps
Lettuce wraps are a great alternative to buns or even taco shells. Simply take your favorite leafy greens, add your choice of sandwich filling, and top with more leaves.
This is a simple way to enjoy nutritious sandwich ingredients without increasing your carb intake. You can even give a lean burger the same treatment.
2: Portobello mushrooms
Not a fan of leafy greens? No problem! Portobello mushrooms are a juicy way to top your burger or sandwich without sacrificing flavor.
Just roast your mushrooms in the oven for 12 minutes while you cook your protein and then combine for a perfect meal.
3: Roasted eggplant
Eggplant is another vegetable alternative to sliced bread. Because eggplant slices are smaller than most bread slices, this is more of a substitute for bruschetta or other varieties of bread that you may use for dipping or adding a topping.
Cooking your eggplant is just as easy as cooking the mushrooms. Simply pop the slices in the oven while you prepare your dip or topping. Because eggplants are rich in essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamins C, K, and B6, along with magnesium, phosphorus, dietary fiber, folic acid, and potassium, you can count on this substitute to pack a nutritional punch.
4: Sweet potato
Like eggplant, sweet potato can easily be cut into slices and used as a substitute for buns and other breads. Sweet potato is high in vitamins A, C, and B6 along with potassium and dietary fiber, and when mashed, is often used as a staple ingredient in grain-free flatbreads and other bread products.
So if you’re feeling creative, get baking!
5: Cauliflower
Unlikely as it may seem, cauliflower, together with a few additional ingredients, can be used to make bread. Cauliflower crusts for pizza are also gaining popularity as a simple way to lower the carb count without sacrificing on flavor. Low in carbohydrates and rich in nutrients, this is a perfect way to keep enjoying your pizza while still losing weight!
Read: Fat Burning Foods You Should Eat
Keep your meals delicious and low-carb
Although no single nutrient is the enemy of your weight loss efforts, cutting out some of the simple carbohydrates you eat throughout the day is a great way to give yourself a boost when it comes to getting fit and cleaning up your diet.
The secret to enjoying any low-carb alternative to bread is to find vegetables that suit your tastes and whatever you’re cooking. Doing so will keep you feeling satisfied rather than deprived and will keep your diet on track.
Before you cringe at the idea of low-carb bread alternatives, give them a try. Chances are, you’ll find something you love!
Another reason to switch to bread alternatives is gluten intolerance
