5 Veggie substitutes for the carbs in your favourite meal

January, the month when most people partake in cleanses, detoxing and healthy eating plans, is in full swing and it’s difficult to simply turn off the festive feeling along with those drool-worthy festive eating plans!

Just when you’ve gotten used to sipping on cocktails next to the pool and eating everything that your carb-loving heart desires, it’s difficult to simply switch to salads (sans fatty salad dressing), water all day long and cutting down on carbs… This transformation doesn’t have to be that difficult if you can still enjoy some of your favourite foods (minus the carbs)!

ALSO READ: 15 Vegetarian and vegan restaurants to try in your city

Still being able to enjoy your favs (obviously) comes with a catch – veggies. For this month, declare all low-carb vegetables as your friends and they’ll happily assist you down your road to getting back on track with your healthy eating plan. Be mindful though, as not all vegetables are low-carb (read: potatoes)…

ALSO READ: 16 Recipes that will make you fall in love with courgettes

It goes without saying that the taste will be compromised – you can’t have your bread buttered on both sides!

We’ve compiled a list of 5 lip-smacking meals that you can still enjoy, but you’ll have to substitute the carbs for healthy veggies.

1. Swap your hamburger buns for grilled aubergines.

Homemade beef burgers in an aubergine/eggplant bap.. Versatile veggies???????? #pwo#flexibledieting#aubergineburger#whole30#LeanIn15

A photo posted by Aisling Gough WBFF Bikini Diva (@healthy_little_lifter) on Aug 17, 2015 at 11:56am PDT

2. Swap taco shells for iceberg lettuce.

???? T A C O T U E S D A Y ?????? • Lettuce tacos stuffed with a trio of vegetables and topped with Spicy BBQ Caramelised Onion Jam from @beerenbergfarm ?? • I’m always looking for healthy alternatives and lettuce boats make for a great low-carb alternative for my favourite day of the week! ?? Get the recipe #ontheblog now!

A photo posted by Juliana | Peaches & Push Ups (@juliimare) on Jan 17, 2017 at 12:41am PST

3. Swap normal potato fries for butternut fries.

Get in my belly… Healthy, baked butternut fries with homemade ketchup ?? #homemade #organic #paleo #butternutfries #healthy #dinner #sides

A photo posted by Kirsten Scott (@kirstenscotthealth) on Dec 30, 2015 at 9:51am PST

4. Swap your pizza base for a Cauliflower base.

READ: Make your own cauliflower pizza

Guilt free pizza ??? Yup! ?? Cauliflower pizza crust ?? Low-carb, gluten free, healthy, delicious ?? This is my favorite. See ?? the recipe on my blog ( foodieopedia.ro ?? link in bio ?) ___ ??IMPORTANT!!! I added a translate widget on the sidebar on my blog so you can choose your language to read all my yummy recipes ?? ____ #pizza #pizzalover #cauliflowercrust #cauliflowerpizza #homemade #diyfood #taste #delicious #yummy #nomnomnom #instagood #instafood #instafoodie #foodie #foodieopedia #foodforlife #foodporn #fitfood #fitgirl #food #foodphotography #foodspiration #foodideas #foodblogger #foodblog #romania #transylvania #clujnapoca

A photo posted by Nicoleta Catargiu (@nicoleta.catargiu) on Jan 10, 2017 at 7:38am PST

5. Swap pasta for spiralised courgettes.

ALSO READ: How to make courgettelli

Something worth obsessing over; #zuchinninoodles! Oh and a spiralizer that can cut all the carbs out of your soups by swapping the noodles with veggies! ???????????? #gamechanger

A photo posted by Nick Joly (@inspiredbynick) on Jan 8, 2017 at 2:05pm PST

Which one of the above are you keen to try? Let us know in the comments section below or on Facebook!