Creative Ways to Cut Carbs from Your Diet

Carbs aren't bad in and of themselves, but many people eat far too many carbs these days. If you are looking for some creative ways to reduce your carb intake, here are some great tips for you to try and share:

1. Skip The Bun

Instead of having a sandwich on bun or roll, why not try skipping it? You can opt for a lower-carb option instead like a tortilla or pita or just eat the protein and toppings over a salad. These are all healthier options that will bring the carb count down and also reduce your overall caloric intake. If you really cannot bear the idea of eating a deconstructed salad, choosing a whole-wheat bun/roll over a regular white one will at least make the meal a bit healthier.

2. Sub Out Noodles

Pasta is delicious, but if you're trying to cut back on carbs, you have some inventive options to eliminate the noodles from some of your favorite pasta dishes.

• Use broccoli slaw in place of noodles in Italian recipes. Surprisingly, once the broccoli slaw is cooked and topped with tomato sauce, you almost can't tell the difference. 
• Spaghetti squash can be used anywhere where you would find regular noodles in a recipe. Again, it tastes very much like pasta and the consistency is similar as well, which makes it an excellent substitute.
• Stir-fried peppers and onions also provide a good base for chicken, fish and other healthy proteins instead of serving them over noodles.

3. Opt for Better Carbs

Not all carbs are created equal, which means that if you love your carbs, you can always just choose better carbs. Things like black beans are high in protein, which makes them a healthy carb choice over something like corn or bread.

Also, pay attention to the labels on the food that you eat, because many times there are healthier options that you can choose. Things like Barilla Pasta Plus is pasta that is enriched with protein, Omega-3 and other vitamins to give your nutritional intake a boost.