| Cutting down on carbohydrates with the Atkins diet | | | | and vegetables) and putting them over something |
| is easy when you see the wide variety of proteins | | | | else is an easy solution. Many people who follow the |
| and vegetables that are on the acceptable foods list. | | | | Atkins plan have found that squash makes a good |
| However, it does take some time and adjustment to | | | | pasta substitute. Spaghetti squash, a yellow orange |
| get used to this new way of eating. A lot of the | | | | gourd with stringy insides, is a natural base for |
| American diet centers around complex carbohydrate | | | | homemade meat sauce. Zucchini is also a good pasta |
| foods like breads and pastas. Snack foods are full of | | | | substitute. You can grate in into fine pieces or chunk |
| sugars and refined carbohydrates. This new way of | | | | it up into sections to act as a base for sauces. |
| eating will challenge your old habits. However, there | | | | Lasagna is easily made with large pieces of eggplant |
| are many carbohydrate substitutes that can fill in the | | | | as a substitute for the noodles. The meats and |
| gap. | | | | cheeses used in lasagna are low-carb so there's |
| Some of the most popular replacement items are | | | | nothing to worry about there. |
| sugar substitutes. These can be good or bad | | | | Another common problem for Atkins dieters is finding |
| depending on how you react to them. Each person | | | | a good substitute for rice. One popular solution is to |
| has a different reaction to artificial sweeteners like | | | | use cauliflower. Simply place the cauliflower florettes |
| aspartame and Splenda. They can be helpful in baking | | | | in a food processor and chop them until they are rice |
| low-carbohydrate treats and making things taste | | | | sizes pieces. Then microwave the "rice" without |
| sweet without risking sugar use. However, many | | | | water. The pieces will come out fluffy and ready to |
| people find that using artificial sweeteners makes | | | | be used in casseroles or as part of a side dish. |
| them crave sugar even more. If you find you want | | | | Cauliflower is also a popular potato substitute for |
| more sweet treats after drinking a diet soda or | | | | Atkins dieters. This time, puree the cauliflower until it |
| eating a snack made with Splenda, its best to | | | | is smooth and creamy, just like mashed potatoes. |
| eliminate them entirely from your diet. | | | | You can add your favorite low-carb topping to it like |
| Bread is the number one challenge that Atkins dieters | | | | bacon, sour cream and cheese. |
| face when looking at their new diet plans. Bread is a | | | | Pizza is a favorite food for many people, but there |
| staple food for many people, and eliminating it can be | | | | are Atkins friendly solutions for homemade pizzas |
| somewhat of a problem. There are some low carb | | | | that taste just as good. You can make small pizzas |
| breads available out there, but you have to watch | | | | using low-carb tortillas as the crust. You can also use |
| for hidden carbohydrates and other unacceptable | | | | the same method with large Portobello mushrooms. |
| ingredients. If you are ambitious, you can try making | | | | If the alternative crust options don't sound good to |
| your own bread out of almond flour or other | | | | you, you can also try a pizza casserole with all of the |
| non-traditional flours. | | | | ingredient layered in a casserole dish. |
| Many people say that they love pasta, but people | | | | These substitutes will help you avoid indulging in your |
| vary rarely eat it plain. The best part about pasta is | | | | high-carb favorites while on the Atkins diet. |
| the topping. So taking those toppings (meat, cheese | | | | |