A Low-Carb Sandwich With Bread? Oh Yeah!

Sink your teeth into this perfect low-carb sandwich

Being on the low-carb lifestyle is kinda like moving to another country where the culture and customs are completely different from your own. Everyone in the country you move to looks at your ways as strange and even stereotypes how you live by what they hear about where you came from. But over time people begin to discover that their preconceived notions about you as a "foreigner" were not at all accurate and they attempt to learn more about that person and his lifestyle.

Now let's apply that to livin' la vida low-carb. What is it that most people who have not educated themselves on low-carb living think about us low-carbers? Come on, you know what they say!

We can't eat rice, we can't eat dessert, we shy away from pasta completely, potatoes are a no-no, and worst of all, we NEVER eat any bread. Ugh!

Long-time low-carbers just hear these blanket statements and smile. That's because these well-meaning folks are just not telling the whole truth about low-carb. While we do attempt to avoid sugar, white flour, starchy foods, and processed foods, it is simply absurd to say we NEVER eat certain foods -- namely BREAD!

I LOVE BREAD!

Gasp! Did Jimmy Moore, the great defender of the low-carb diet, just say he likes bread?! Yep, I sure did! And I believe it can be a HEALTHY part of a low-carb lifestyle, too! Does Jimmy need to have his head examined? Perhaps (no comments from the peanut gallery!).

But this is one of those issues that people who only listen to the media talk about low-carb just don't understand. We DO indeed eat bread and enjoy it when it is made the right way.

My mother-in-law found a bakery called The Real Breadshop in her hometown of Virginia Beach, Virginia that makes the best-tasting freshly-baked low-carb bread you'll ever eat made with quality ingredients such as wheat flour and flax seed without the use of any additives or preservatives.

In fact, one slice of their Flax Seed Bread has only 70 calories, 3g protein, 3g fiber, 0.5g fat, and only 3.5g net carbs.


Doesn't this bread look so yummy delicious?

While some bakery store owners have resorted to being critical of low-carb, others are more open to the idea of providing healthier alternatives for their low-carb customers. Check with your local bread shops about find good low-carb breads.

One piece of advice for you, though: If that so-called "low-carb" bread you find has more than 4g net carbs per slice, then don't buy it! There are too many genuinely low-carb breads to be messing around with any that contain 7, 9, or even 12 grams of carbohydrates as I have seen these low-carb imposters claim on their packaging. Don't be fooled! There are better options with less net carbs (determined by subtracting the dietary fiber from the total carbohydrates).

Here are just a couple of the low-carb breads you might want to get online if you can't find any in your area:

- Food For Life - 3g net carbs
- Irene's Healthy Bakery - 4g net carbs

Now that we have firmly established that people on low-carb DO indeed eat bread, how about an incredible low-carb sandwich recipe to enjoy all the healthy goodness that bread has to offer? This Monte Cristo Sandwich goes great with a side salad for a refreshing lunch or supper. Thanks to Elaine at Low Carb Connoisseur for this great recipe!

MONTE CRISTO SANDWICH

4 tablespoons butter, softened
8 slices low-carb white or rye bread
4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
8 ounces smoked ham slices
8 ounces Swiss cheese slices
8 ounces roasted turkey breast slices
4 eggs
1/3 cup cream plus 3 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Spread 4 slices of bread with mustard. Divide ham, cheese, and turkey slices over bread. Top with remaining bread slices and press down to flatten slightly.

2. Mix eggs, cream mixture and salt in a shallow bowl. Melt butter on a griddle or in 2 skillets over medium heat. Dip each sandwich into batter, coating well.

3. Cook sandwiches 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Press down lightly with a spatula once or twice during cooking time to melt the cheese.

Servings: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake/Cook time: 10 minutes

Carbohydrates: 21.5 grams
Net Carbs: 11.5 grams
Fiber: 10 grams
Protein:53 grams
Fat:46 grams
Calories: 740

What a sandwich, eh?! It's like having a hero club and french toast all in one! And it's low-carb, too? You better believe it, buddy! ENJOY!!! :)