Has anyone given up bread pasta and potatoes?
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I recently cut back a lot on pastas, white bread and potatoes. I'm around genuine Sicillian Italian family members all the time so cutting out pastas and breads completely is impossible lol
The main reason for me is that diabetes runs in my family on my mothers side, and I really don't want diabetes.0 -
I think I would implode if I gave up pasta and potatoes!0
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No, my Italian family would put a hit out on me if I turned down grandmas pasta and bread.0
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Nope, nor will I ever. I am Italian and we live off that stuff :P0
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If you are a person who has insulin resistance or has a very hard time losing weight it can be beneficial to help with weight loss. I have always been heavy despite reducing calories drastically, exercising like a maniac, etc. My Dr. says this can happen with insulin resistance. I took his advice and went off all "white" - no crackers, breads, rice, pastas or white potatoes. Have been at it for 12 months and don't miss them at all. For fruit I eat the least glycemic index of fruits including watermelon, honey dew, and canteloupe as well as strawberries. They also have the lowest calories. I live on lots of protein 80-100 gms per day, low starch vegies, and the fruit. I am losing weight at about 1 - 2 lbs per week working out 2-3 times a week. In 12 months I have lost 85 lbs. I do not miss the carbs with the "whites" and may someday try a bite or two now and then but it will never be a source of "food" for me at all. When I eat spaghetti I serve the sauce over a can of green beans. I love it and people thought I was crazy until they tried it and many of them as well as me like it more than with the pasta. It can be done and does help with weight loss if you have insulin resistance or have a difficult time losing. Good luck to you!!!0
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I actually added potatoes to my diet as a healthy option. I don't do pasta very often anymore because it isn't very filling to me. I eat bread in moderation.0
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For me, I don't not eat things that makes me crave them more! I do eat less of items. Instead of potatoes, I have cauliflower, or maybe some farro or similar grain. I found that I gradually cut back on the items by trading other things for them. I used to eat toast for breakfast, not I have eggs or yogurt because the protein keeps me full for longer. Instead of potatoes, I have a helping of veggies similar like squash (butternut), or a green veggies slightly undercooked that adds extra "chew" to it so I feel like I am eating more.
I eat bread, and I eat pasta but not in the amounts I used to. If I told myself to never eat something I wouldnt be able to stop until I had it, whether it be pasta, potatoes, or a donut. Also, I find that when I do have those items I appreciate the flavor more. It's almost like eating a potato is a treat to myself and something that I really appreciate- instead of it just being a carb to have with dinner.0 -
Yeah, giving up bread, pasta, and potatoes is super easy. Gimme my steak and buttered broccoli.0
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I eat all of those things and my weight loss isn't suffering from it. It's all about moderation and counting your calories. Surely pasta and potatoes aren't low in calories, but that doesn't have to be a problem if you saved most of your calories for dinner. Whenever I plan to eat pasta, that's what I do. Either that, or I have a small portion.0
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I don't limit potatoes, but then again I don't eat them too often anyways (may 1-2 a week). I have had great success limiting myself to one serving of bread or pasta a week. I found that any more than that, I bloat up and don't lose as quickly. One serving a week is enough to keep me from going insane, but keeps me in check weight-wise.0
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I seem to have developed an intolerance to wheat. Haven't had any bread or pasta or really ANY wheat products since November. I still miss it.. I don't go for substitutes because the ingredients are kind of junky (lots of processed starchy flours)
As for Potatoes.. I don't eat them right now because I'm doing very low carb but I will definitely add them back in as I transition back to incorporating more carbs into my diet. I don't really miss potatoes that much.. but OMG, I miss my GLORIOUS BREAD!0 -
Hi! I have given them up and feel sooo much better! I have so much more energy and have lost weight. Do it.0
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I gave up most grains since being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Not a big deal. Most meals are vegetables with protein but will occasionally splurge with pasta or pizza on carbs.0
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I try and follow Paleo as close as I can, but that's just how I can manage to keep my calories under control. But I don't cut them completely, once in a while I will have a grain. I usually go for whole grain bread/pasta, brown rice or quinoa, and yams and really limit how much I have. Unless it's yams. Those are delicious.0
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I switched from white bread and pasta to whole wheat. . I hardly eat potatoes or rice, since I don't really like them, but eat corn tortillas and whole wheat flour tortillas. I cannot take the zero carbs approach, as I have seen others do, because I don't have the will power nor the desire to do it. If you are going to eat carbs, go for the less processed ones.0
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My boyfriend and I decided to, for the most part, cut out white potatoes (and rice) for the most part. I typically will roast sweet potatoes if we want a good starch with a meal or I'll boil quinoa with chicken stock. In place of bread for sandwiches we will use the flat buns, a low carb high fiber tortilla or half of a pita (all about 100 calories). I will still buy a loaf of real bread sometimes but find I don't crave it like I used to. Also, rather than pasta (although there are lots of great whole grain options out there and anything is OK in moderation!) we now use julienned zucchini or spaghetti squash. I actually created a version of pasta carbonara using the zucchni that is only about 214 calories for a very generous portion (I actually won a contest with it). I've posted it below in case you want to give it a try! Note that if you have leftovers keep the sauce and "noodles" separate. The noodles are really best fresh especially if you keep the skin on as it can take on a bitter quality. Enjoy!
Zucchini Noodle Carbonara - Makes 4 servings
Ingredients
6 slices prosciutto
4 large zucchini
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
½ medium onion, diced
4 oz fat-free cream cheese, at room temperature
1 ¾ cups nonfat milk
2 tbsp reduced fat parmesan
1 tbsp minced garlic
½ cup frozen peas
1 cup fresh spinach, finely chopped
¼ - ½ tsp crushed red pepper (to taste)
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°. Place parchment paper on baking sheets and place prosciutto in a single layer on the pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Remove from oven and place on paper towel to cool and to soak up any fat.
Trim the end off of the zucchini leaving the stem end intact. Cut a small slice off one side to help prevent it from rolling around as you peel it. Gripping the stem, run a julienne peeler down the length of the zucchini to make long spaghetti-like strands. Place zucchini into a colander with 1 tsp sea salt and toss. Place colander in sink or on a towel. Toss the zucchini occasionally letting it sit for 15-20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly then squeeze excess water out using a clean towel. Allow zucchini to sit in colander to drain any additional liquid. (See note)
Heat the olive oil in a sauce pan on medium. Add the diced onions and cook until translucent. Add garlic and cook 1-2 minutes longer stirring constantly so garlic does not burn. Turn to medium-low and add the milk and cream cheese. Stir periodically until sauce is smooth and the cream cheese is incorporated then simmer until sauce has thickened. Add parmesan and stir until melted. Stir in peas and spinach and cook until peas are heated through. Add crushed red pepper. You may add additional salt to taste as well but be careful not to add too much salt as the prosciutto will add quite a bit to the dish.
Toss the noodles with the sauce. Crumble prosciutto over the top and enjoy!
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories Carbs Cholesterol Fat Protein Fiber
214 25 g 23 mg 5.25g 19.5g 5g
Note: If you prefer a less “al dente” texture to your noodles, drop the zucchini into a pot of boiling water for 1-2 minutes being careful not to overcook. Drain the noodles then shock them in an ice bath to prevent them from cooking further. Be sure to drain as much water from them as possible before adding the sauce. Toss in “noodles” and let heat for 1-2 minutes.0 -
I don't eat much bread, pasta or rice, but I do love potatoes, whether they are baked in their skin white potatoes, or sweet potatoes, new potatoes, purple potatoes. I had almost a Ib of potatoes with dinner and have done so before, and I seem to be doing okay, ya know?0
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I've cut down on dairy because I'm suposedly intolerant I'm not gluten intolerant although I did try a 2 weeks without gluten I had loads of energy and felt much fuller. But it's just so much hassle and because I had college it was hard to keep up so I went back to normal just limited it though. But since it's the summer it would be easier to maintain that. I have lost a few inches but weight is going really slowly with me for some reason even though I have the right workouts. My trainer is really good at the workouts and I always feel like I've worked hard. I guess because my usual diet would've been high carb based.
I could still occasionally have those like maybe once or twice a week after being completely without them for say 2 weeks,0 -
By default I mostly have, just because I get more bang for the buck elsewhere. I'm Italian and can eat a third of a pound of macaroni in a sitting, easily. Love mashed potatoes and homemade mac and cheese and fresh bread too. Yum. I've been making a light lasagna soup recipe that has totally satisfied my macaroni & sauce cravings. I haven't had a regular meal of ziti/spaghetti in months even though I cook it for my kids. I don't even want it. That said, I don't think you have to give anything up. You may just want to cut back on that stuff and fill up on healthier things.0
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Like a lot of others, I've cut out the white bread and pasta and now only eat sprouted grain bread and whole grain pastas... and even those are not very often. I've never been a huge pasta fan, so it wasn't hard at all for me to cut back. Still have white potatoes on occasion, though.... it's just hard to find a substitute for a good baked potato!
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Yes, but for gluten intolerance/thyroid issues, and I still have the occasional baked potato or oven-baked home fries. I was never crazy about bread or pasta anyway, so it was easy for me, but when I'm craving noodles, I cook up a large spaghetti squash with homemade basil-tomato sauce and grilled onions, peppers, and mushrooms. So good, and very satisfying!
**If cooking a squash seems daunting, try this: cut it in half, scoop out seeds, microwave halves on high (face-down) for 7-9 minutes, let sit in microwave until cool enough to handle, then simple scrape out 'spaghetti' strands into pot on stove. No hours of baking necessary!0 -
I am italian bread pasta and potatoes are my life! I'm joking but I would never give them up completely.0
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No, I eat all those things. I'm not into depriving myself.0
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Oh hell no, I like my pasta, rice, bread, and potatoes too much. I just watch my portion sizes a lot.0
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Some folks on this post have found that it doesn't matter but for me it did. I love bread, rice and pasta. As soon as I dropped these from my diet and added veggies I saw results. I am sure some of it had to have been the added defict that these caused in my diet but even while keeping within my calorie limits the scale didn't move. However, cutting them out completely just not realistic (especially while cooking for others). Just take a look at changing your weekly diet up so that you do not have these items every night of the week. I now reserve one night for something with rice and another where I allow pasta or bread but not both. Also, I cut out the alcohol during the week and only have 2 drinks on Fri and Sat night.0
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:noway: Hell no!
I'm NEVER giving up my bread, pasta, & potatoes!
I ❤ carbs!0 -
I haven't read any of the replies, so this is just a response to the OP...
I have not cut ANYTHING from my diet, ESPECIALLY not potatoes or pasta!!! I have potatoes or pasta nearly every single day.
Since I have gone down from 155 pounds to 135 pounds and I am now wearing size 4 US clothes and can squat & deadlift over 200 pounds...
I think those "evil" carbs are perfectly fine. I must be doing *something* right.0 -
yes, its the only way i can lose weight, plus they make me bloat0
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yes, I dispensed with the starch burden from my plate a couple of years ago. Pasta was the easiest as I was never a fan of the texture. I have half or one new potato roasted occasionally, or a couple of ounces of bread now and then.0
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I eat everything, just in moderation.0
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