needing low calorie sides??

baked french fries, baked onion rings, brocolli, asparagus, sauteed bellpeppers with shrommies and onion, brussel sprouts..

Mashed potatoes made with chicken broth instead are pretty darn tasty!

I read this article once about swapping mashed potato for Mashed Cauilflower. They have the same consistancy once mashed, colour and add a little butter and almost exact same flavour. Let me know what you guys think. I have never been a potato person so it never really apealed to me inthe first place.

I went to a particular restaurant for the first time in a LONG time a few weeks ago - somewhere that I would have gotten a huge plate of pasta or burger and fries back before joining MFP - and I tried a few new sides that were REALLY tastey and averaged around 50 cal per serving - roated spaghetti squash, grilled zucchini, and sliced tomatoes with balsamic vinigrette. Yummy! All things I never would have thought to order back before I started on MFP but all things that I truly enjoyed! I didn't miss those fries at all!

My absolute favorite...roasted broccoli!!!!

I read this article once about swapping mashed potato for Mashed Cauilflower. They have the same consistancy once mashed, colour and add a little butter and almost exact same flavour. Let me know what you guys think. I have never been a potato person so it never really apealed to me inthe first place.

I eat this, I make it with frozen Cauliflower, it tastes amazing.
Or make patties out of them, then saute them till brown on both sides. Next add reduced fat sour cream and hot salsa on top and a squirt of lime. OMG I am going to make some now!

Enjoy!

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Check out skinnytaste.com for tons of yummy healthy ideas!

You can take whatever root veggies you have and roast them on high heat with rosemary, red pepper flakes and a drizzle of olive oil. I just had this tonight with sweet potatoes, carrots and celery root. You can also use white potatoes, parsnips...pretty much anything that grows in the ground. This is so good in winter.

I had some boiled carrots last night. I added just a small (1/2 tsp maybe) bit of honey to the water and it made the carrots really sweet.

Brocolli, cauliflower, corn cobs, wholegrain rice/pasta

I roast butternut squash and use it as a side dish and eat it for breakfast with a soft boiled egg. I roast the entire squash and keep it in the fridge when i want it for the week. Just peel it, cube it, and bake on 375 for about 30-40 min. Oh, I spay a little olive oil on it with salt and pepper before roasting.

Here is my latest discovery. Slice a small potato into very thin slices. put slices on the bottom and up the sides of a plastic collander, do not overlap slices. sprinkle with spices(garlic, pepper, seasoned salt) then the fun part. Microwave 3 to 3 1/2 min. Remove from microwave before they brown. Very similar to potato chips. If not cooked to the crispy stage, taste like fried potatoes or french fries. Good dipped in catsup. Also I like to bake flour tortillas into chips. Cut tortilla into 2" squares, put on cookie sheet (spray with pam first) do not overlap chips. Again spray chips with pam and sprinkle on seasonings(garlic, pepper, seasoned salt) and put into preheated oven at 375 degreese for about 15 min. remove when they are crispy but not brown. I use these chips to scoop up tuna salad or taco fixings(lettuce, tomato, onion, ground hamburger, salsa, sour cream). Enjoy.

I'm a big fan of delish veg sides! I'm still learning and experimenting myself, but here's what I've learned from budgeting cash and calories:

- Steamed broccoli with a little olive oil or non-hydrogenated margarine.

- Sauteed shredded cabbage and onion with sweet mustard and vinegar (toss in some caraway seeds too, if you have them).

- Boiled or steamed greens--escarole, kale, turnip, collards, mustard, spinach, gai lan, bok choy--with a little olive oil or non-hydrogenated margarine and fresh garlic or garlic salt and a squeeze of lemon/lime or a splash of vinegar. You can often find these already washed and chopped in bags in the freezer section. These are also terrific to keep around for use in soups & casseroles for a big boost in nutrition, flavor and fiber.

- Chili hot beans (Joan of Arc brand is pretty tasty right out of the can, minimal fuss). They also come mild if you have little ones.

- Boiled and mashed cauliflower (instead of potato, when you're craving mashed taters). If you don't let it get waterlogged, you don't lose much in the way of flavor, save hundreds of cals over potatoes, and gain a few nutrients and lots of fiber. Room for a little gravy!

- Roasted or boiled beets with shaved onion and a light vinaigrette (make a big batch, they'll keep all week).

- Sauteed mushrooms and onions. Once the mushrooms cook down and start to stick, deglaze with a little white wine. Tasty.

Consider also making veg or bean/legume soups, and serving them up as a weekly side or lunch. Economical, healthy and versatile.