There was a time when I thought the words “low-carb” belonged to a realm of misery and sacrifice—like a dystopian novel where potatoes were contraband, and bread was only available on the black market. Let me set the stage: back when I started my health journey, I wasn’t in it for the mirror or the scale. I wanted to feel better. Look better? I mean, I woudn’t be mad about it.But I had bigger goals—like not feeling like a tired and wore out on the daily.

Enter Weight Watchers, with its trusty points system that I adored because it meant I didn’t have to ban my beloved bread outright. Weight Watchers was all about balance, or so they said. But then came the fine print—carbs, especially the glorious ones like mashed potatoes or buttery dinner rolls, cost an arm and a leg in points. Want a slice of pizza? Sure! That’ll be half your day’s points.

So what did we all do? We learned to make every point count, and suddenly, those higher-carb delights became rarer on my plate than a unicorn sighting. Without outright saying it, Weight Watchers nudged me toward low-carb. Subtly. Sneakily. It was like tricking a toddler into eating broccoli by smothering it in cheese.

At first, I resisted. I mean, I love carbs. Potatoes? Practically my spirit vegetable. Bread? Oprah and I could probably spend hours crying tears of joy over a crusty loaf. And don’t even get me started on pasta—let’s just say Italy is my happy place.

But then I noticed something surprising. Swapping out the carb-heavy stuff for lean proteins, more veggies, and lower-carb options left me feeling better. My energy skyrocketed, and I wasn’t crashing mid-afternoon like I used to. That’s when I had to face the truth: Weight Watchers tricked me into a low-carb lifestyle—and I didn’t even realize it until much later.

Fast-forward to a diabetes diagnosis. Learning to balance carbs became less of a quirky experiment and more of a necessity. Suddenly, I had to look at labels, count grams of sugar, and think about how my meals would affect my blood sugar. Turns out, all that sneaky training from Weight Watchers paid off. I already knew how to be smart about carbs, and that foundation became the cornerstone of how I lost weight and have kept it off.

That is one thing I will always be grateful to WW. While I may not be aligned with the new WW, they certainly have helped me immensely over the years.

Why Low-Carb Works (Without the Cult Vibes)

Now, let’s pause for the educational part. Why does low-carb work for so many people, especially those with conditions like diabetes? Here’s the deal: carbs are like sugar’s overenthusiastic cousin. They break down into glucose, which can spike your blood sugar if you’re not careful. Balancing your carbs helps keep those spikes under control, preventing energy crashes and mood swings.

But here’s where I differ from the keto crowd—low-carb doesn’t mean no-carb, for me at least. And while I might have a small slice of bread, a tiny serving of pasta, or a special treat every once in a blue moon, it’s rare. My blood sugar and health just aren’t worth it. What works better for me is embracing smart substitutions that make low-carb living not only manageable but honestly pretty delicious.

Substitutions that Keep Me Sane

I’ve learned that the key to low-carb success isn’t about recreating old favorites to be exactly like the real thing. It’s about enjoying substitutes as their own delicious dish.

Hearts of Palm Pasta: My favorite pasta substitute! It’s light, satisfying, and works beautifully in dishes like lasagna. I once made lasagna with Aldi’s hearts of palm noodles, and nobody even noticed until I told them at the end. That’s a win in my book.

Zoodles (Zucchini Noodles): These are great when you think of them as “zoodles” and not spaghetti. Tossed with a little olive oil, garlic, and Parmesan? Perfection.

Cauliflower Rice: It’s not rice, and that’s okay. It’s a fluffy, versatile base that soaks up flavor beautifully.

Low-Carb Tortillas: These make taco night just as fun as the real thing, with none of the guilt.

The trick is not to compare these substitutes to the originals—they’re not meant to be the same. But when you embrace them for what they are, they’re fantastic in their own right.

My Personal Rules for Carbs

1. Choose Wisely: I go for whole-grain breads, sweet potatoes, or quinoa instead of white bread or pasta. They keep me fuller longer and are better for my blood sugar.
2. Portion Control: Instead of a plate full of pasta, I’ll do half pasta, half veggies. It’s the best of both worlds.
3. Save Room for Joy: On a special occasion, I might have a treat—but it’s rare and in a small portion.

If there’s one thing this journey has taught me, it’s that we’re all capable of change—even when it’s forced on us sneakily by a points system. Weight Watchers didn’t say, “Go low-carb.” They just gave me a nudge. And that nudge not only changed my health but likely saved my life.

I’ve learned to appreciate the strength it takes to say, “I’m going to do better—for me.” I’ve also learned that health is about feeling good in your own skin, not fitting into someone else’s definition of perfect. And while bread and potatoes will always hold a special place in my heart, I know that balance—not elimination—is what keeps me going.

So here’s to carbs, to balance, and to the magic of a lasagna made with hearts of palm noodles. Who needs the black market when you’ve got that?