"Junk Carbs"

[Dia Minha]

Natick, I thought this needed it's own thread. Hope you don't mind.

You asked about how to cut down on junk carbs. To me carbs are only junk if it is made with sugar and white flour. Potatoes eaten with the skin are actually very good for you.

A better option for rice is to choose brown over white. There is a kind that I really like called Lundberg Short Grain Brown. If you cook it long enough, at least 50 minutes, it has a texture more like white, not so chewy. It has three times as much fiber than white rice. If you are going to buy brown rice just check your nutrition facts, because some brown rice does not have any more fiber in it than white. If your family won't eat straight brown rice, try mixing it with half white for a while. Soon you'll be able to leave the white out and they won't even notice.

As far as pasta goes, there are a lot of new products out there that are high fiber, low carb. Your best option is going to be whole wheat or whole grain. Just make sure whole wheat or whole grain is listed first in the ingredient list. If it is down on the list than they have just put enough in to be able to label it as such. Again, if family bulks, mix half whole wheat with white pasta and they won't notice a difference.

Bread is not bad, unless you just eat too much of it. Again choose whole wheat or whole grain options. Again you need to make sure the whole wheat and whole grains are listed first in the ingredient list to make sure you are getting the best, healthiest option. If you do not like the thick, heavy, whole wheat, bread like I do, try some of the new light low carb breads. They are packed with nutrition and have a lighter texture more like white bread. A slice of bread should have 3 or more grams of fiber in it, so something else to look for.

Hope this helps.

[natickgirl]

Thanks for the ideas. I've actually tried brown rice & whole grain pasta. The family doesn't like either, but I will try mixing 1/2 & 1/2 until they get used to it. I just need to stop buying the other kind all together. (Except for rice; I just can't eat my Chinese stir fry without sticky white rice.)

As for bread, I LOVE think & hearty whole wheat, but no one else does. I only buy whole wheat, but DH brings home white because that's what he likes. Guess which kind the kids choose.... I've found that the low-carb (e.g., Weight Watchers) whole wheat breads seem to be so light that they tear when I try to spread anything on them. Have you found a brand that works better?

[Meticulous madness]

Good idea on mixing the pasta and rice half and half, until the family becomes more used to it! I definitely think that the more wholesome options are somewhat of an acquired taste (atleast to people who like super processed and convenient foods)!

My DH won't touch anything that even LOOKS like it's "diet" food (no matter how I vouch for the health and nutritional benefits). If he doesn't see the packaging, or if he decides he likes the taste before noticing "less fat" "low fat" "no fat" "whole grain" (bla, bla, bla) advertising...he can deal with it.

Isn't it funny how sometimes for some people it's just a mind block?

Anyway, keep the ideas coming! Our family can certainly benefit from a few bits of tried and true advice.

Originally Posted by natickgirl

(Except for rice; I just can't eat my Chinese stir fry without sticky white rice.)

Is this your own recipe, NG, or take out?

[Dia Minha]

Natick, I good substitute for "sticky white rice" is couscous. It is a type of pasta. It has a texture more like rice. It does not have more fiber, but it is considerably higher in protein. It can be found in the rice and pasta aisle. My kids love it. I use if as a rice substitue when I have forgetten to put the brown rice on 50 minutes before dinner, because it cooks up like instant rice, very quickly.

[Dia Minha]

Natick, I don't like the lighter, low carb, whole grain, breads either. If I try to put anything between them besides a slice of cheese, a slice of ham and a leaf of lettuce it tends to fall apart. I like a lot of veggies in my sandwich. I actually like using a low-carb, whole grain, tortilla wrap instead. I can fit a lot more veggies in it. It has been a long time since I have even eaten bread. Even when we have tuna salad sandwiches, I usually just plop a tablespoon of tuna salad on a Triscuit. Triscuits are the best. Have you ever looked at the ingredient list? It is about as whole as you can get for a "processed" food.

[natickgirl]

It's my own stir-fry recipe. Actually, I have a really difficult time following recipes, so I just throw things in. My dad is a pseudo-gourmet chef who can taste something at a restaurant & go home & recreate it exquisitely. I inherited some of his ability.

Dia--My kids really like couscous. My favorite is to serve it with ratatouille. (Yes, it really exists. My husband was introduced to it on his mission to France. It is a Moroccan dish made with eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, basil, garlic, and spices. Yummy! I used to make it all from veggies I grew in the garden...back when I had a garden.)

My kids will even eat whole wheat couscous, barley, quinoa (occasionally), and other strange grains I try every now & then. However, I just can't give up white rice with certain things (like stir fry). I like your idea of making sandwiches with tortillas rather than wimpy bread. Nothing ruins a good veggie-laden sandwich more than wimpy bread...except, maybe, for Miracle Whip. Can't stand the stuff! I like Triscuits, too, but they are soooooo salty! Multi-grain Wheat Thins are my favorites.