low-carb dishes

[mamafitz]

i need some ideas for low-carb meals -- well, more like dishes that are low-carb, but i can have carb sides.  dh is trying to eat less carbs, but the rest of the family (i.e. the boys and I) don't want to eat low-carb.  so, the other day i make a beef pot roast, mashed potatoes/gravy, and green beans.  dh eats the roast and green beans.  it would be nice to have some more ideas.

i don't want to get into any debate about carbs/low carbs. (not that anyone would do that, i'm just tired of debating it with dh.  portion control is what he needs more than low-carbs, IMO, but he won't listen to me).

Linda

[Zazzy]

I've been thinking about this.  It seems to me that you can make anything that you can separate the meat easily from the component carbs.  Like you said, pot roast is fine if he doesn't eat the potatoes.  The chicken dish was great if he didn't eat the rice.

Most of the recipes I have for low-carb diets focus on how to make things to substitute for the high carb items.  I'm not sure you're interested in those.  Things like mashing cauliflower instead of potatoes.  Somewhere I have a whole bunch of recipes like that from a friend who used to do Suzanne Summers' diet.

[PeggyL]

Linda - the easiest low carb (to me anyway!!) is just to do lean meats and vegetables separately.  Your DH doesn't have to eat the rice, potatoes, breads, etc. the rest of the family eats.    Read those labels - a lot of things have a lot more carbs than you would think!  Yogurt is one thing that comes to mind.  Some cereals have a whole lot more carbs than others.

[Betsyv]

I agree with Peggy. I dont' know how young your kids are or anything, but I found that when I went on a reduced CALORIE diet, the things that came off the daily food list right away were the fats and the carbs/starches, because they were high in calories for little return in nutritional value. It was better for DH and me to cut back on the rice or pasta or bread or what have you to accompany the protein and vegetables.

BetsyV

[Eve]

I have to watch carbs and sodium for my hubby.  I've found the best way to lower the carb count in anything you make is to up the fiber.  (You subtract the fiber from the total carbs and count what's left.)  I use either a combination of brown rice and pearl barley or barley alone instead of white rice.  It's very tasty.  I've found that my grandchildren (they're very picky) enjoy this as much as regular rice.  It's something you can feed the whole family and they'll all be healthier.    When making bread, rolls, etc. substitute a cup of soy flour for a cup of white flour - more fiber, fewer total carbs.  There are some other things I've discovered, but I don't want to go on and on. 

[kurlylox]

I have to watch carbs and sodium for my hubby.  I've found the best way to lower the carb count in anything you make is to up the fiber.  (You subtract the fiber from the total carbs and count what's left.)  I use either a combination of brown rice and pearl barley or barley alone instead of white rice.  It's very tasty.  I've found that my grandchildren (they're very picky) enjoy this as much as regular rice.  It's something you can feed the whole family and they'll all be healthier.    When making bread, rolls, etc. substitute a cup of soy flour for a cup of white flour - more fiber, fewer total carbs.  There are some other things I've discovered, but I don't want to go on and on. 

You could try using Bulgur instead of the brown rice for even more fiber. Bulgur is 7 grams of fiber per serving and no fat.. I think it tastes much better than brown rice. This food is very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a very good source of Manganese. I fixed some last nite and used it with my stir fry, made it very filling.

[Eve]

I hadn't thought about bulgar.  Sounds like a good idea.  Thanks! 

[Pina]

Welcome to Stone Soup Eve !

Your fiber count is a very good suggestion.
Thank you. 
Most days I serve what I call "free foods" with
our dinner.I make cucumber salads,tomato salads and
lettuce and celery salads(fine sliced).All with my own dressing.
Or I just decorate the plate with radishes or a few strips of
peppers to add color.

[Zazzy]

By the way, those "salad spritzers" are really nice for cut vegies - just a little light flavor.  I spray them on sandwiches too where I would have used Italian dressing or vinegar and oil.  I wish I liked them better on actual salads but I like ranch type dressings.

[Pina]

Never heard of "salad spritzers" ,have to look and
read the label next time I go shopping.

I like ranch type dressings.

Me too,I buy one bottle a year as a treat. 

[Eve]

They might be perfect for me.  I don't like a lot of dressing.  I use the "fork method" frequently so as not to get a puddle of dressing drowning my salad.  I used to eat my salads with nothing but salt and pepper.  Still like that better than most dressing. 

[Zazzy]

My friend Sharon does that.  I ought to try that.  Get the taste of the dressing but use a lot less of it.