My version of a Sloppy Joe is low in carbohydrates and high in protein. Protein plays a crucial part in almost all biological processes, and the building blocks of protein are amino acids.
A large proportion of our cells, muscles, and tissue is made up of amino acids, meaning they carry out many important bodily functions, such as giving cells their structure. They also play a key role in the transport and the storage of nutrients. Amino acids have an influence on the function of organs, glands, tendons, and arteries. They are furthermore essential for healing wounds and repairing tissue, especially in the muscles, bones, skin, and hair as well as for the removal of all kinds of waste deposits produced in connection with the metabolism.
Protein should be a part of every meal to keep our blood glucose stable. According to a study in the Journal of Nutrition “High protein snacks in mid-afternoon increases cognitive flexibility (the ability to take on new mental tasks) and less confusion compared to those who ate high carbohydrate snacks.”
So if you are a mother and you prefer (aside from the many other health-promoting roles of protein) mentally balanced kids instead of grumpy ones, be aware to always provide protein with snacks or meals.
With that said, I use my favourite low-carb bread recipe as a substitute for wheat flour buns. The sugar in refined flour in white bread is absorbed too fast and might cause blood sugar imbalances.
Since I am a lover of simplicity, especially in regards to cooking, I always fry double the amount of ground beef in order to use the remaining meat for spaghetti sauce or a soup for the next day.
You can also freeze the meat sauce portion-sized for quick future meals. I noticed that for some reason I am just not able to have my freezer so well organized that I can make it work and useful for myself to have frozen meals ready for every situation. If you are used to pre-cook and freeze, meat sauce is very versatile to use for different meal options.
For the actual meat sauce ingredients, I always work with what my fridge has to offer on that day. I will list in the ingredients what my basics are. Of course, you can get more creative with different cheeses (feta, mozzarella, swiss, etc.) or include vegetables like grated carrots, zucchini or spinach.
I like to sneak in a mushroom blend, which is known to enhance immunity and a collagen powder for extra amino acids.
Serve with salad or just simply veggie sticks, that’s how I get my children the easiest to eat their vegetables.
ENJOY!
Sloppy Joe with grain-free bun
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef, preferably local and grass-fed
- 1 half small onion, minced
- 1 TBSP ghee
- 1 TSP ground black pepper
- 2 TBSP paprika powder
- 1 TSP Turmeric powder
- 1 TSP sea salt, to taste
- optional garlic, dried herbs like oregano, thyme or marjoram
- optional more vegetables such as grated carrot, spinach, celery, kale, etc.
- optional 1-2 TBSP of collagen powder, I use Green Lakes Collagen Powder
- optional 1-2 TBSP of mushroom powder, I use New Earth Organics Five Mushroom Blend
Instructions
Heat pan with ghee and fry ground meat until cooked through, if you use minced onions, add halfway through frying.
Add black pepper, turmeric powder, paprika powder, salt and other herbs and spices.
I personally like to add oregano and marjoram.
I also add 1 TBSP of collagen powder and 1 TBSP of the mushroom blend since the rest of my family doesn't like mushrooms, so the powder is a good way to sneak in some healthy ingredients.
If you have baked the low carb buns freshly, good for you! If not, defrost, if you have some in stock in the freezer or substitute with what you have available.
Turn your oven on on broil low. Fill buns with the meat and a cheese slice on top, melt the cheese in oven.
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