These Cauliflower Swaps Could Save You Hundreds Of Calories

We live in a diet culture. This means that we’re always trying to find an easier way to cut back on things like carbs and calories to get healthier and in better physical shape. There’s one pretty surprising way that you can do this: cauliflower! Cauliflower can be substituted for tons of ingredients that’ll give your meals a bit more of a health-conscious vibe to them. Here are a few of the best ideas for cauliflower ingredient swaps!

1. Tater tots

No one wants to give up those delicious tater tots, but the potatoes they’re made of are so starch and carb-filled it’s ridiculous! Cauliflower can be cleverly manipulated to create a similar shape and texture so that you don’t have to give the tots up entirely.

2. Sticky rice for sushi

Sushi is one food that’s been on the rise as far as popularity goes. Sushi rolls have become a favorite, but the sticky rice in them is not the greatest food for dieters. You can easily replace the rice for cauliflower, and to make sure it still retains the trademark stickiness, add a dash of almond or coconut milk!

3. Mashed potatoes

Back to potatoes! Mashed potatoes are beyond delicious, and they’re one of America’s favorite side dishes. Instead of mashing potatoes, separate the florets of the cauliflower and mash them! It’s just as easy (if not easier) than the real thing. And the final product could fool anyone into believing they’re real mashed potatoes!

4. Pizza crust

Forget the carb-filled dough that you always get with your pizza. Cauliflower can substitute this just as well! Now we can all eat pizza guilt-free!

5. Taco shells

This one was the biggest surprise to me (even though it should be fairly obvious). The substitution of cauliflower for taco shells is pretty similar to pizza crust. It just requires a little more delicate shaping and longer baking!

6. Sriracha bites

A veggie version of chicken wings, you can separate the florets of the cauliflower then douse them in sriracha and buffalo sauce. Bake them and pair it with some ranch or blue cheese! These give you much more fiber than chicken wings!

It may take a bit to get used to, but cauliflower ingredient swaps will help you in the long run. If you give it a shot and do it right, the results can be pretty tasty!

featured image source: weheartit.com