What To Eat If You're Staying Away From *Heavy Carbs*

This ongoing crusade against carbs has made out noodle dishes to be evil—undeservedly. Whether you're trying to lose weight or just eat healthy, noodles shouldn’t be seen as completely off-limits or consigned to "cheat food" status. All you need to do is adjust how you’re preparing them. Better yet, use noodles that are known to be healthier.

Longkow vermicelli or cellophane noodles, for example, may be a more wholesome option. These glassy noodles are light, fat-free, and gluten-free, which means you won’t feel sluggish after a meal. Stick to these few guidelines to turn a “carb-heavy” vermicelli noodle dish into a filling *and* guilt-free meal.

Watch your portions

Chances are, the amount of noodles you pile in your bowl is more than you actually need. Halve the amount of noodles you use for a more healthful dinner. You’ll be surprised how a little measuring action can have a huge impact on your body.

Pack on the veggies

What’s on your noodles is just as important as what’s in them. Compensate for the smaller serving of noodles by using vegetables to increase the volume of your meal. Opt for a variety of brightly colored veggies such as broccoli, spinach, carrots, bell peppers, zucchini to really give the dish a healthy boost—and to make your baon Instagrammable.

Choose lean proteins

Balance out the complex carbs with a generous portion of proteins. This will help level your blood sugar and allow you to feel full for longer. Steamed chicken or fish, and grilled shrimp are worthy additions. If you want to go meatless, mushroom and beans are also great options.

Add soup

Cooking your noodles with soup adds a depth of flavor to your dish, but also assures that you eat less than you should. The high-water volume of soup makes you feel full faster. Just go easy on the salt when you make your broth.

Noodles always make for a hearty, satisfying meal. Now, you don’t have to feel like a cheat each time you indulge in a bowl. These nutritious yet filling recipes from Sapporo Longkow Vermicelli make it easier for you to have your carbs and eat them, too.

For more information, visit Sapporo on Facebook.

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