how to cut carbs as a vegetarian

[Anonymous]

DH is Indian so we tend to eat a lot of rice, lentils, beans etc. I like spices and bold flavors but am not sure how to translate that into cooking with fewer carbs. Any ideas or cookbook recommendations.

[Anonymous]

I would make it simple: cut out "white" foods: things made with flour, rice, white potatoes, sugar. Start there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would make it simple: cut out "white" foods: things made with flour, rice, white potatoes, sugar. Start there.

+1

[Anonymous]

And focus on vegetables and healthy fats. Lentils and rice as smaller portions.

[Anonymous]

Indian here. Try replacing white with brown rice, and keep the white rice as a weekend treat. It's easier said than done, since I dislike the texture of brown rice. A lot of Indians have switched to oats instead of rice, or steamed broken wheat.
I also make and freeze whole-wheat rotis. They taste good warmed on a griddle with a tiny bit of ghee.
Costco has these whole-wheat wraps that are pretty good.
Daal and beans are fine as the protein is needed. I have also cut down on dairy and sugar.
I take coffee with almond milk, and yogurt only a few times a week.

[Anonymous]

Kale!

[Anonymous]

Cook with more ghee and coconut oil (and/or coconut milk) and then eat smaller portions of the richer foods.

You can't do low fat and low carb, so up your fats

[Anonymous]

Substitute quinoa for rice. It takes some getting used to, but is much healthier (esp if you are avoiding carbs). More green vegetable subjis, daals of any kind are great (they have carbs but also a lot of protein and fiber).

[Anonymous]

Anyone have success getting their Asian husband to cut out the white rice? Have tried pushing brown, to no avail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have success getting their Asian husband to cut out the white rice? Have tried pushing brown, to no avail.

Try starting out with 1/3 brown rice and 2/3 rice (you'll have to cook them separately as white cooks much quicker - or just buy precooked brown rice from Trader Joe's to save time). Over time, you increase the percentage of brown rice. Another option is to make the brown rice really tasty (i.e. unhealthy - go nuts on the oil or butter or whatever -- don't jump on me other posters -- I know healthy food prep can be healthy too). Over time, start making it gradually healthier (less oil, etc.). You are trying to have him develop a taste for it by introducing it in small or palatable doses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Substitute quinoa for rice. It takes some getting used to, but is much healthier (esp if you are avoiding carbs). More green vegetable subjis, daals of any kind are great (they have carbs but also a lot of protein and fiber).

Also, if you are making khichadi, try using 1/3 oats, 1/3 quinoa, 1/3 white rice. It is still going to be high in carbs but it won't be the bad kind (simple carbs that cause blood sugar spikes).

[Anonymous]

OP here: thanks for all the tips

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Substitute quinoa for rice. It takes some getting used to, but is much healthier (esp if you are avoiding carbs). More green vegetable subjis, daals of any kind are great (they have carbs but also a lot of protein and fiber).

Also, if you are making khichadi, try using 1/3 oats, 1/3 quinoa, 1/3 white rice. It is still going to be high in carbs but it won't be the bad kind (simple carbs that cause blood sugar spikes).

Another Indian-American here and +1 for replacing rice with quinoa.