Healthy comfort food…gluten-free.
It’s getting cooler out and I’m starting to think about my favorite fall foods. They seem to include some sort of carbs. I’ve never been able to function well on low carb diets. Instead, I eat healthier carbs.
Not that a white potato is a bad thing once in a while, but my body is happiest when I have slower-digesting and less refined foods with a little more nutrition.
In fact, I think that eating healthier carbs in moderation have been key to my long-term weight loss. My energy is steady and I don’t feel deprived.
Here are some of my favorite ways to upgrade my carbs with recipes, of course!
Instead of white rice, upgrade to healthier…
- Oven Baked Brown Rice
- Quinoa – bring 2 parts chicken stock to a boil; add 1 part liquid; cook until all liquid has been absorbed, about 20 minutes. I like to use chicken or vegetable stock. Or, make it in a rice cooker.
- Quinoa Salad with Raisins, Spinach, & Walnuts from Tasty Eats at Home
- White Bean Gratin
- Curried Rice & Lentils
- For dessert, try Papaya Banana Whole Grain Coconut Rice Cream
Instead of white potatoes, upgrade to healthier…
- Crispy Sweet Potatoes
- Roasted Butternut Squash Dip from She Let Them Eat Cake
- Roasted Winter Vegetables
- Butternut & Sweet Potato Hash from Jenn Cuisine
- Roasted Squash & Apple Bisque from Diet, Dessert, & Dogs
Instead of starchy potato soup, upgrade to…
- Black Bean Chili with Butternut Squash & Swiss Chard
- Black Eyed Pea Soup from Gluten-Free Easily
- Lentil Soup from The Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen
- Winter Squash Soup from Lexie’s Kitchen
- Creamy Tomato Soup from The Leftover Queen
Do you have a favorite healthier carb upgrade? Share it in the comments below – and if it’s on your blog share the link, too!
Reminders…
- Yesterday I had the honor of guest posting at GoDairyFree.org’s Sweet Sundays. I shared my Triple Berry Coconut Cake…grain-free & gluten-free. I’ll be posting there once a month through the end of the year. I’ll keep you updated but stop by anytime. Alisa has created the best dairy-free resource on the internet.
- Have you entered my give-away? One reader will win a copy of Cooking for Isaiah by Silvana Nardone. Contest closes on Friday, October 15th.
Find more recipes at Hearth n Soul’s Weekly Blog Hop, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, & Pennywise Platter.
How To Bake A Crocodile
posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Thanks for the links!! It’s very fall all of a sudden up here now and all I can think about is soup. And fall/winter veggies are my favorite. I’m thinking that tomorrow might be split pea soup night at Casa de Crocodile.
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Family Grokumentarian
posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:36 pm
I am a big fan of your blog! Your story is very inspiring.
I might be trying those soup recipes in the weeks to come. And since I just acquired some coconut flour, I will definitely be trying that berry coconut cake – yummy!!
I recently made shrimp and asparagus over spaghetti squash with a white wine reduction. Spaghetti squash as a stand-in for spaghetti is becoming a favoriate in our house!
http://primalkitchen.blogspot.com/2010/09/shrimp-and-asparagus-over-spaghetti.html
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Amy Reply:
October 10th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
@Family Grokumentarian, Thanks for sharing your recipe…spaghetti squash is a great way to sub regular spaghetti.
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Hallie @ Daily Bites
posted on October 11, 2010 at 7:36 am
Great links! Some of my favorite ways to pack in the healthy carbs:
Roasted Vegetables with Balsamic Herb Dressing: http://www.hallieklecker.com/2010/08/24/roasted-vegetables-with-balsamic-herb-dressing/
Red Rice, Cucumber, and Avocado Salad: http://www.hallieklecker.com/2010/06/04/red-rice-cucumber-and-avocado-salad/
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Amy Reply:
October 11th, 2010 at 8:01 am
@Hallie @ Daily Bites, I’m *thrilled* you shared a red rice recipe! I’ve never made it before…I’ll have to pick some up soon. Hugs, Hallie!
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Carla
posted on October 11, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Hello,
Thank you for all the wonderful info! I can’t wait to try the Triple Berry Coconut Cake.
I just tried to use the coupon code “thanks10″ for the free e-book and the site says “Coupon code “thanks10″ is not a valid coupon code.” Just thought I would let you know…
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Amy Reply:
October 11th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
@Carla, I’m so sorry you’re having trouble, Carla.
Did you use it without the parenthesis? Just thanks10 with nothing around it? I downloaded a copy using the code and it worked for me. So sorry for the confusion.
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Carla Reply:
October 11th, 2010 at 10:09 pm
@Amy,
Thank you for your response. I actually got the coupon code to work later in the day. I guess they had so much interest right away that something got jammed up. I took a brief look at the recipes and they look fabulous. Thank you for sharing the link!!
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Amy Reply:
October 12th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
@Carla, I’m glad that you got the book and that you like it. Jules is such a kind, considerate person and a fabulous cook.
Have fun in the kitchen, Carla!
Kelly
posted on October 11, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Hi Amy! I’m with you on the good carbs. Here is one of my favorites, Spaghetti Squash & Cashew Cream Sauce:
http://www.thespunkycoconut.com/2009/10/spaghetti-squash-cashew-milk-cream.html
Hugs, Kelly
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Amy Reply:
October 11th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
@Kelly, I love how you find a million and one yummy ways to eat cashews.
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Maggie
posted on October 11, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Wow, what a great resource for recipes Amy! Thanks for linking to mine too. I love white potatoes but try to limit them. I love the Fall spin on all of the recipes. Mmmmm, fall! xo
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Amy Reply:
October 11th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
@Maggie, You’re so welcome…I always love your dishes.
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Alta
posted on October 12, 2010 at 8:20 am
Thanks for the link! This is a good roundup of recipes. Now I’m craving your crispy sweet potatoes. Maybe that’s what I’ll do with the sweet potatoes I bought yesterday.
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Pat
posted on October 12, 2010 at 9:32 am
Those dishes all look tempting, but I especially want to try the White Bean Gratin. My husband always likes white beans for a side dish, and this looks especially good.
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Megan
posted on October 12, 2010 at 10:40 am
Amy, you are so inspiring to me. I have to admit, I eat alot of sugar and bad food but I think about you and your journey alot.
(Heavey Sigh) Maybe someday i’ll at least be able to cut down.
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Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen
posted on October 12, 2010 at 11:22 am
All these recipes are seriously tempting Amy! Comfort food for sure!
I have an upgrade: try heirloom potatoes (like fingerlings) instead of the starchy kinds found in most grocery stores. They have a lower glycemic index!
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Amy Reply:
October 12th, 2010 at 11:46 am
@Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen, I’ll have to look for heirloom potatoes this week. I am a sweet potato kind of girl but Joe loves potatoes. He really likes fingerlings so I’m sure he’d love these too. Thanks for the upgrade tip, Jenn!
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Christy
posted on October 12, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Oh, Amy what a great bunch of recipes – I followed quite a few of them and will be adding them to our dinner menus! (always looking for healthier without giving up taste!) Thanks for sharing this with us at the hearth and soul hop!
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Butterpoweredbike
posted on October 12, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Squash and beans and quinoa, these are all of my favorite foods anyhow! It’s funny, except for the few months after my diagnosis and eating in restos, I’ve never felt restricted by eating gf. There is still so much great food out there to eat! Thanks for sharing this great list with the Hearth and Soul hop.
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Barbara @ moderncomfortfood
posted on October 14, 2010 at 9:09 am
What a great roundup, with such good advice for all of us!
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Amy Reply:
October 14th, 2010 at 9:59 am
@Barbara @ moderncomfortfood, Thanks, Barbara. That means a lot coming from The Comfort Food Expert!
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Alex@A Moderate Life
posted on October 15, 2010 at 1:45 am
Hey Ames! Well, we are moving on up to the better carb side! What a lovely list of awesome recipes! I really love that picture of the sliced sweet potato bake. You are so right. I think people get into a rut and then cook the same things. This is why I love doing the hearth and soul hop so I can check out everyone elses great stuff and try new things! BIG hugs to you and thanks for linking to the hop! Alex@amoderatelife
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