Sugar Cravings

Dealing with Sugar Cravings

One of the hardest aspects of living a low/no carb lifestyle is dealing with sugar cravings.  I struggle daily with satisfying my desires for something sweet.  I see all the commercials for candy, cookies, and fruit and I can feel the cravings wash over me.  Some of my favorite television shows are about cake decorating.  After a couple of weeks of low carb/no carb eating, the cravings seem to diminish.  I guess sugar really is an addiction that we have to get past.  Although I would still like to eat a complete pan of warm chocolate chip cookies, I try to find substitutes.  Certain diet sodas (my favorite is Diet Sundrop), sugar free jello, heavy whipped cream right out of the can help me to deal with these urges.  I've also found that bottled water flavored with sugar free drink mix helps.  I try different flavors.  My favorite is cranberry apple.  

Low Carb Crust and Casseroles

If you're like me, you wonder how to make a low carb crust for casseroles or pizzas.  I've finally found a way to do this with low carb ingredients.  By combining 4 eggs, 1 cup of mayonnaise, 1 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese and 1 tablespoon cornstarch, as well as salt and pepper to taste, you have a low carb crust to used with your favorite low carb toppings.  You can also mix in broccoli, cauliflower, onion, or any other ingredients you like and bake in a casserole dish for a quiche-like casserole.  If you use this as a crust, don't forget to bake it in 375 degree oven until the edges are brown before adding your toppings.  Use cornstarch instead of flour.  Cornstarch has far fewer carbs than flour.

Broccoli Casserole

Broccoli Casserole

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

4 Eggs

1 Cup Mayonnaise

1 Tablespoon Cornstarch

2 16 Ounce Bags Frozen Chopped Broccoli

1 Onion Thinly Sliced

Salt and Pepper to Taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease  a square baking dish.  Heat olive oil in a skillet.  Add onion and saute until brown.  Combine eggs, mayonnaise, cornstarch, salt and pepper in large bowl.  Stir in broccoli and onion.  Pour into baking dish.  Bake until broccoli is tender, approximately 90 minutes.

Crustless Pizza

Crustless Pizza

4 Eggs

1 Cup Mayonnaise

1 Tablespoon Cornstarch

1 Cup Finely Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Mozzarella Cheese

1 Jar Pizza Sauce (Be careful - Spaghetti sauce is much higher in carbs)

1 8 Ounce Package Pepperoni

1 Onion Sliced Thin

1 Green Pepper Sliced Thin

1 Jar Mushrooms

1 Pound Hamburger 

 Parmesan Cheese 

Combine eggs, mayonnaise, cornstarch and cheddar cheese.  Mix well.  Pour into greased baking dish and place in a 375 degree oven until set and slightly browned around edge.  This is your low carb crust for the pizza.  Cover crust with pizza sauce.  Brown hamburger and sprinkle on top of pizza sauce.  Place additional toppings on pizza.  Cover with mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with parmesan.  Place in oven until cheese is melted and pizza is cooked through.  Slice and serve.

This pizza can be modified with the toppings you like, such as broccoli and cauliflower.  This satisfies your pizza craving without having to scrape the toppings off of the crust.

Pizza in a Pan

Pizza in a Pan

1 Jar Pizza Sauce (Be careful - Don't substitute spaghetti sauce.  The carb content is very high.)

1 8 Ounce Package Pepperoni, Chopped

1 Pound Hamburger

Mozzarella Cheese

 Brown hamburger is skillet.  Drain and add pepperoni and pizza sauce.  Mix well and allow to simmer until well blended.  Spoon mixture into plates.  Cover with mozzarella cheese and allow to melt.  Sprinkle with parmesan cheese if desired.