alternative ingredients Archives

Orzo

What do you get if you cross rice and pasta? Orzo! If you’re looking for a low-carb alternative then this isn’t the best option because it’s made with the same dough as ordinary pasta. However, Orzo is excellent if you want to use pasta in innovative ways. It’s the same dough as pasta but it is in the shape of small grains. It’s great for salads and soups, and it can also be used in place of rice in stir-fries if you like. Check out this greek orzo salad recipe, for example. Introducing orzo into your repertoire is a great way to change the way that you use pasta and keep things more interesting.

Rice Noodles

If you’re looking for a truly healthy alternative to pasta then rice noodles are the way to go. They’re made from rice flour and water, so they’re gluten-free, low in calories, and have a very low glycemic index. This means that they won’t cause spikes in your blood sugar levels like some other carbs can. Rice noodles are perfect for stir-fries, soups, and salads. They cook quickly and absorb the flavors of whatever they’re cooked with, making them a versatile and delicious option. They pair perfectly with these delicious Asian Turkey Meatballs.

Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti squash is a winter squash, much like a pumpkin or acorn squash, but its meat has the consistency of — you guessed it — spaghetti. Thus, its name. You can bake it, roast it, cook it in a slow cooker or instapot, and then serve it with pasta sauce. It is low-calorie and a good source of fiber. It is cholesterol-free, gluten-free, low in saturated fat and sodium, fat-free, and a good source of vitamins C, several B vitamins, manganese, and potassium. Give it try!

Spiralized Vegetables

Want to make some spaghetti but want to avoid the carbs? Spiralized vegetables are the perfect solution. You can use a spiralizer to turn all sorts of vegetables into noodles, from zucchini to sweet potatoes. Spiralized veggies make a great base for all your favorite pasta sauces, and they’re also delicious when stir-fried with some protein. If you’re looking for a healthy and delicious alternative to pasta, give spiralized veggies a try.

There are plenty of exciting alternatives to pasta available, so if you’re looking for something new to try then be sure to check out some of the options listed above. Whether you’re looking for a healthier option or just want to change things up a bit, there’s sure to be an alternative that suits your needs.

We all want our meals to taste great. It’s the reason why we spend a lot of time finding the right recipes and putting our hearts and souls into the meals that we make. But, you may realize that some of the things you make just aren’t as healthy as they could be.

Does this mean you should stop cooking in the first place? Definitely not! Instead, to make sure that you’re making tastier meals that are still good for you, here are a few health conscious swaps that you may want to make when you prepare your next meal.

The Right Oil

Public Domain Image from Pixabay

We all have our preferences when it comes to the oils we use in cooking. However, did you know what some of them are not that great for you? There are bad monounsaturated fats in things like vegetable oil that can get worse when the oil is heated. Also, since Canola oil is made from modified rape seed, it can cause an allergic reaction — much like seasonal allergies — for some people. Therefore, you may want to think about swapping vegetable and sunflower oils in your cooking for something like olive oil or even nut oils.

Oils I like to use include olive oil, coconut oil, and sesame seed oil. Depending on which oil you use, how much you use and how you use it, these oils can add to the taste of your meals, as well. I like using a less expensive, light colored olive oil for basic cooking. The lighter the olive oil, the less strong the flavor. Coconut oil is also really good for basic cooking but can add a faint coconut flavor to the meal. Sesame seed oil is great for high-heat cooking as it can withstand the temperature well and is often used in wok cooking.

Treated Water

Next up, let’s take a look at the water you’re using. You may find that your home water system is quite hard or even highly chemically treated. Both factors are going to affect the taste of your food. Therefore, you may want to look into the specialist treatment options available like those that Quality Water of the Carolinas provides for softening water and removing chemicals. This can also be important if you drink a lot of water from the tap.

I’ve also heard that alkaline water can make a difference in the taste of your food, as well as being more healthful for your body in general. A woman I met who sells chocolate covered strawberries swears it is the alkaline water she washes the berries in that makes her treats taste so much better!

A Lighter Carb Alternative

As much as we all love carbs, you’ve got to admit that sometimes they can be far too much for some meals. If you want to take care of your health and make sure that your food is super yummy, then you may want to use lower carb alternatives. Things like zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice are incredible replacements for pasta and rice. (I’m a recent convert to cauliflower rice — it tastes great!) But there are definitely a ton more creative options for you to try out with your cooking.

Lower Fat Meat

If you’re a meat eater, then you may be aware that certain meats are a lot fattier than others. When you do eat meat, you’d probably agree that beef is one of the tastiest kinds around. But, it isn’t that great for your heart. So, you may want to eat it in moderation and try to switch it out of some of your recipes and use turkey instead. (I know this is sacrilege for the true beef-lover, but with a little creativity you can convert the staunch steak eater to a lighter meal.)

Store Bought for Homemade

Sometimes, you head to the store to pick up things like sauces or even ready meals without a moment’s thought. But, they can often be stuffed full of different additives and preservatives, and may be high is salt, too. It may not seem like it, but it’s often easier to make your own sauces and meals, especially if you prepare them in large batches and freeze what you don’t use. So, why not try your hand at whipping up homemade versions of some of your store-bought favorites and enjoy the knowledge that they’re not only tastier but better for you too.

Superfoods

Reduced from a photograph taken 28th January 2004 by Stephen Lea and released under the GFDL by the photographer.

One last idea — add more superfoods to your diet, using them instead of less nutritious options. For example, use purple potatoes instead of regular potatoes in your roasted potatoe side dish. Does your recipe call for honey? Here’s an easy swap: Use raw honey! Garlic is a superfood, too, so use as much as you like. For a list of other superfoods you can use, grab your copy of “Top 10 Power-Packed Foods” below.

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Take Charge of Your Health!

Changing your eating habits can be tough. But it doesn’t have to be if you take a little time to think it out and create a plan.

This Healthy Eating Worksheet will walk you through the process of creating a healthy eating plan. All you need to do is print it out, set aside some time to complete it, and then fill it out. Then you can create your plan, knowing that you have addressed potential obstacles and came up with some creative ways to handle them.

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