Hazel York never wanted a diet that made her feel deprived. “I love food too much,” she says with a grin. “Especially anything warm, cheesy, or cozy.”
So when her doctor suggested cutting back on refined carbs to help with her energy dips and mood swings, Hazel felt stuck.
“Low-carb just sounded joyless,” she admits. Lean1 Chocolate 5 Pound (37 Servings), Fat Burning Meal Replacement
But she didn’t want to go on another extreme plan. Instead, Hazel took a different approach: how could she lower her carb intake while still feeling nourished and satisfied?
She began by rethinking her staples. Cauliflower rice replaced white rice—but only when it made sense. She swapped pasta for zucchini noodles now and then, but didn’t force it.
“The key was keeping the comfort while adjusting the ingredients,” she says.
Instead of giving up her favorite creamy casseroles, she lightened them with almond flour-based sauces and loaded them with vegetables.
Soups thickened with blended cauliflower became regular weeknight stars. She even learned how to make low-carb biscuits that didn’t feel like a compromise.
What surprised her was how quickly her cravings faded—and how full she felt. “I didn’t miss the bread,” Hazel says. “I missed the feeling of being comforted. And it turns out, food can still do that.”
