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