Healthy Carb Recipe Round-up
Since we’ve been talking so much about carbs, I thought I’d share some of my favorite ways to incorporate carbs into meals and snacks. Keep reading for a few of my favorite recipes!
Carbs at breakfast
High-fiber carbs are a great way to start the day off right. Some of my favorite go-to breakfast meals are:
Overnight oats - add raisins or berries for more healthy carbs
Savory oatmeal - veggies at breakfast are a great way to sneak in extra fiber
Egg muffins or egg casserole - pair with whole grain toast or fruit
Smoothie - fruit, veggies, nuts, and seeds provide healthy carbs
Fried eggs + sauteed spinach + avocado mashed on a slice of whole grain toast
Single-serving pancake with oats and top with fresh berries
Carbs at lunch and dinner
Including carbs at lunch and dinner can keep your blood sugar stable throughout the day which is important for keeping you energized to work, study, or be active. Below are some of my favorite carbs to include at lunch and dinner.
Grains
Grains are an easy way to add carbs to any meal. As I’ve discussed the past few weeks, try to choose mostly whole grains, like quinoa, brown rice, barley, or buckwheat. Here are some of my favorite meals that include some of these whole grains:
Crockpot Quinoa & Vegetables - I love using my slow cooker for a quick, no-fuss meal
Vegan Cranberry Quinoa Salad - great for potlucks as a side dish or add protein to make it a complete meal
Buddha Bowls - bowls like this are completely customizable and can be easily adapted based on your food preferences
Chicken Noodle Soup - use whole grain noodles or try chickpea pasta for even more protein and fiber
Starchy vegetables
Potatoes are often thought of as unhealthy, but they can actually be really good for us. The skin is where a lot of the vitamins and minerals are (including fiber), so make sure to leave it on! Winter squash is another way to incorporate starchy veggies into a meal. To learn more about the health benefits of winter squash check out one of my previous blog posts.
Baked Curried Chicken with Roasted Cauliflower - I often add extra sweet potatoes and double the sauce
Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie - a healthier twist on traditional shepherd’s pie, this recipe uses sweet potato and green peas; for extra fiber, leave the skin on the potatoes rather than peeling them!
One Pan Chicken & Potatoes - I love a good one-pan meal!
Summer Corn Chowder with Zucchini & Carrots - this summery chowder is packed with starchy and non-starchy veggies
Beans and lentils
Beans and lentils are packed with gut-healthy fiber and a great vegetarian source of protein. Dried beans and lentils take a little more time to prepare than canned varieties, but both are great options.
Black Bean Coconut Stew - serve over brown or wild rice for a filling vegetarian meal
White Bean Kale Cauliflower Casserole - you could also serve this over a whole grain like quinoa
Instant Pot Greek Chicken & Lentils - a quick and easy meal using the Instant Pot
Lentil or chickpea pasta + tomato sauce (homemade with lots of veggies - mushroom, onion, bell pepper, zucchini, broccoli, etc.)
Instant Pot Chickpea Curry - my go-to pantry-staple meal
Carbs at snacks
For snacks, try pairing carbs with protein to help you last until your next meal. Check out this post for more info about good food combinations.
Whole grain toast with peanut butter or mashed avocado
Fruit + nuts or nut butter
Replace half or all of the flour with whole wheat in these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins
Plain Greek yogurt + berries
What are your favorite recipes that incorporate healthy carb? Feel free to share in the comments below!
