10 Simple Ways to Cut Back On Carbs and Lose Weight

reduce carbs: bread and measuring tape

10 Simple Ways to Cut Back On Carbs and Lose Weight

By: Julie Mancuso, founder of JM Nutrition, nutritional counselling service by registered nutritionists and dietitians

 

In this post:

  • Simple ways to reduce carbs 

 

Introduction: how to reduce carbs

We all like to take shortcuts from time to time. It’s in our nature as humans to want the desired end without having to put in a lot of effort. Instant gratification seems to be the way of life nowadays.  

Sometimes these shortcuts pay off, and sometimes we discover that they cannot be taken.

When it comes to losing weight, some shortcuts can be taken.

Although weight maintenance can be a complicated and multi-layered matter with many causes and just as many obstacles that impede weight loss, a few small shortcuts exist. 

Related: Why you should work with a weight loss coach

Nutritionist for weight loss 

One way to lose weight is to reduce carbs in small, simple ways without having to overhaul your entire diet. As carbs and calories are reduced little by little, the weight can drop.

Here’s how this can be achieved.

 

Simple ways to reduce carbs:

 

1. Try an open-faced sandwich

This one is for bread and sandwich lovers who want to cut carbs.

Why an open-faced sandwich?

An open-faced sandwich has only one slice of bread, effectively cutting your carbs in half without completely doing away with that bread you really love.

Adding more vegetables (lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, et al.) to your sandwich can also lead to the consumption of fewer carbs. A full sandwich can in turn make you feel full, reducing the chance that you will reach for a second one, and more bread, which is often the case. 

 

2. Use lettuce wraps

For those looking to cut carbs, use lettuce leaves instead of bread when making wraps.

This is an easy way to reduce bread and carb intake while getting your greens in. You don’t have to do this every time you eat. You can even try one wrap with lettuce and another with bread, if you want to indulge a little. Any reduction of carbohydrates can help you lose weight.

 

3. Swap crackers for cucumber slices

This is another simple, yet effective method to cut carbs. Give it a try and you won’t be disappointed. You get the same crunching sensation, but next to zero calories by using cucumber.

You can also go half and half: one cracker for every slice of cucumber, lowering your carb intake by half. Not bad, huh?

If the old cuke isn’t up to your liking, try celery or a piece of carrot. These will work just as well.

 

4. Use stevia instead

To further reduce your carbs, you can use stevia, a natural sweetener from a plant, which contains zero calories and carbs. Many of our practitioners recommend this, especially our Winnipeg dietitian, Nadja.

I recommend SweetLeaf Stevia.

If you are like most people, you consume at least 2 teaspoons of sugar per day in your coffee or tea. Make the switch and you cut out 60 teaspoons of sugar in 1 month! 

To learn more visit Sugar 101.

Today you can find a variety of stevia products and brands in just about every supermarket.

 

5. Swap dried fruit for fresh fruit

Just because it’s fruit, it doesn’t make it entirely good for you. This is an important piece of information to keep in mind, when trying to reduce carbs and lose weight.

Dried fruit is concentrated and very high in sugar because it lacks water. As such it is high in carbohydrates, even if the portion appears to be small.

Dried fruit does have some great benefits though: it’s high in iron and an immediate source of energy especially for athletes. But consume in reasonable amounts, particularly when looking to cutback on carbs and trying to lose weight.

Comparison:  

½ cup fresh blueberries: 10g carbs

½ cup dried blueberries: approximately 48g carbs

 

See the difference? Beware: dried fruit is sneaky.

 

 

6. Cut back on cereal while adding fat and fibre

Add fat? But I’m trying to lose weight.

Hear me out.

The vast majority of cereal is loaded with carbohydrates, regardless of how healthy it is. Accordingly, I recommend you cut your portion of cereal or oats by ⅓  and add chia and/or flaxseeds, which add fibre, bulk and good fats to your meal.

After ingestion, the fibre will expand in your stomach to help keep you full for longer, eliminating the need for more food shortly thereafter. This, in effect, leads to the consumption of less food and, in turn, fewer carbs.

This strategy is effective technique to cut carbs and for general weight maintenance.

 

7. Ditch the granola bar and reach for a protein bar

I cringe every time I see people loading up on high-sugar granola bars throughout the day, thinking they are snacking in a healthy way.

Most granola bars offer very little in terms of nutritional value, contain too much sugar and carbohydrates, contributing to unsuspecting carb and sugar intake.

Opt for a high-quality, low-carb protein bar instead. This is something our Sudbury dietitian, Tylor, recommends to his sports nutrition clients.

Not all protein bars are created equal, so it’s important to thoroughly read the nutrition label to ensure they are in fact nutritious.

 

8. Zucchini noodles instead of pasta

Don’t knock it until you try it. Zucchini noodles are becoming more and more popular these days.

Video: How to make zucchini noodles

So why zucchini noodles?

Regular pasta has the highest amount of carbohydrates out of all the grains and can cause unwanted weight gain, if indulged in too frequently and in considerable amounts. As a result, it should be limited when trying to lose weight.

Not ready to fully switch over to Zoodles? Mix the two together to at least cut carbs in half.

 

9. Choose bean sprouts over rice and noodles

A stir-fry is a quick and balanced meal, but if you eat it over a heaping pile of rice or noodles, it may not be great for your waistline.

Use bean sprouts instead to lower the intake of carbohydrates. Or do what I suggested previously: mix the bean sprouts with rice or a healthy noodle, 50-50, and watch those carbs tumble.

 

10. Wine spritzer anyone?

I should drink wine spritzers to help me lose weight? In a way, yes.

A wine spritzer calls for wine to be mixed with soda water (club soda, not tonic water) or Perrier. This effectively dilutes the wine, reducing calories, sugar and carbohydrates. The Perrier water has the added effect of hydrating you.

So uncork that wine, crack open that Perrier and enjoy, knowing you are helping your body.

Related: How To Choose Wine And Drink It Without Gaining Weight

Read more on healthier alcohol selections for weight loss.

 

Conclusion

Keep in mind that you don’t have to implement all the mentioned suggestions to cut carbs to reap benefits. Try one or two of these to start.

Don’t forget to experiment with combinations of these. Find a simple, healthy, reduced-carb meal that you like and stick to it. 

My suggestions should merely serve as a general guideline, helping you get some ideas on how to reduce carbs in small, simple ways.

 

Popular Posts: 

How to Gain Muscle and Lose Fat

Metabolism 101

Nutrition for Healthy Aging

Nutrition Myths vs. Facts

Popular Diets Reviewed

Keto Pros and Cons

 

Our nutrition blog has been named one of the Top 100 Nutrition Blogs, Websites and Newsletters to Follow in 2020-23 by Feedspot.

JM Nutrition is a nutritional counselling service by registered dietitians and nutritionists in Canada.

Main area of service: JM Nutrition Ontario, primary office: JM Nutrition downtown Toronto. Also visit: registered dietitian Ottawa, registered dietitians Halifax, nutritionists in Vancouver, nutritionist services Edmonton, registered nutritionist Calgary, dietitian in Montreal and more.

Author: Julie Mancuso

Julie Mancuso

admin@julienutrition.com

Julie Mancuso is a graduate of the University of Toronto, founder and owner of JM Nutrition, a nutritional counselling service by registered dietitians and nutritionists. For 15+ years, JM Nutrition has helped thousands reach their health, wellness and nutrition goals. Julie and her team regularly lend their expertise to a variety of health publications such as Reader's Digest, Livestrong, Business Insider, Food Network, Today's Parent, MyFitnessPal, Toronto Star, Elle Magazine, Best Life, Weight Watchers and many more.