Many of the roads to our biggest cheat days were most likely paved with good intentions.

And then we had to get dinner on the table for hangry people we love in 20 minutes or less.

If you’re looking for some tools to up your quick and easy low-carb meal game, look no further. I got you.

1. Miracle Noodles

Truthfully, these may not be walk-on-water amazing, but they’re a darn good hack, my friends. The power in this particular tool is all about the texture.  First of all, one serving is zero calories (that’s right, zero). So by themselves they’re pretty bland and flavorless, but they will take on the flavor of whatever you pile on top of them. (Think stir-frys, meat sauces, cream sauces, etc., or even butter and your favorite seasoning.)

What I love about them (besides that zero-calorie business) is they fool my brain into thinking I’m having carb-filled noodles or spaghetti or linguine or (fill in your favorite pasta here) with my meal.

The other beautiful thing about them is, you don’t have to cook them. (Hello, is this thing on?) Did you hear that? You don’t have to cook them. Just open the package, drain and rinse them with warm water in your colander for one minute, then add to the pan with your topping until heated through and serve. That’s it!

Find them online or at your nearest Whole Foods Market.

2. Outer Aisle Plantpower Sandwich Thins

The bunless burger is no stranger to the seasoned low-carber. It’s what we do in a pinch when we’re out and about with no real low-carb options in sight. We order a burger and ditch the bun. That certainly works in an emergency, but what if you want a bun (that isn’t lettuce), want to stay low-carb and don’t have the time (or desire) to make one?  These right here are your answer. They’re made of cauliflower, eggs and cheese and that’s it.

No, it’s not focaccia, but it’s surely yummy. I store them in the freezer (maybe leave a few in the fridge) then pop them in the toaster for a minute or so when I’m ready for one.

I’ve also used them for taco shells, toast and grilled cheese sandwiches. So the next time you’re serving burgers for your higher-carb crew and would like to eat with your hands as they do, fear not. You’ll have a plan. Look for them here or at Whole Foods Market.

3. Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Isn’t pizza the quintessential, quick and easy low-carb meal? Well it is if you can figure out a way to put the low in the carb and make it taste good. Enter the frozen cauliflower pizza crust.

The trick to preparing these guys is brushing some olive oil on them before baking, so they get a little crispy. Then pile on your toppings, bake at 425 F for about 5-7 minutes and feast away.

Now go find your jammies and the next Netflix episode because you’re already done with dinner.

One of the tastiest crusts I’ve found is Whole Foods’ 365 Cauliflower Pizza Crust, but if you’re following keto or need lower carbs per serving, try these, also from Outer Aisle. 

4. Pre-Made Low-Carb Granola

I grew up in the era of Saturday morning cartoons where if you snoozed, you’d quite literally lose out on watching your favorite show. There was no on-demand.

So by 8 or 9 AM, you’d typically find me wide awake and tuned in to one of my favorite shows (“Superfriends” if you’re wondering.)

If I was Forrest Gump, I’d say that cereal and Saturday morning cartoons back then went together like peas and carrots. Maybe that’s why I’m so enamored with this particular food. It brings good cereal back into my low-carb life.

It’s sweetened with monk fruit and made mostly of seeds and nuts, but I’m telling you, all you’ll need to add is a few fresh blueberries, almond milk, a bowl and a spoon.

Now don’t splurge with this one, because the carb count rises quickly if you eat too much, but this combo’s got the makings of one great Saturday morning if you ask me. (All this plus on-demand cartoons too. Definitely a win-win.)

5. The Reason We All Scream

You didn’t think I’d leave out dessert did you?

Ah, ice cream. Yes, the creamy decadence we all know and love is still accessible within your low-carb life, but the easiest way to be sure that you’re scooping up a true low-carb treat is to control the ingredients by making it yourself.

That method, however, requires you to select, assemble and mix those ingredients and then wait for them to freeze.

Nothing wrong with doing that, but if you’d like a little mid-week-low-carb-quick-and-easy instant gratification ice cream in your life, then listen up to what I’m about to tell you.

I can’t even vouch for all the flavors. I’ve only tried a few, but when I tried this in Keto Butter Pecan, I was completely undone. It’s all-the-way low-carb (1g of net carbs per serving) and simply scrumptious. (Take their advice and leave it out on the counter for about 10 minutes before diving in if you can stand it. You can thank me later.)

A word of caution, don’t settle in to your comfy chair with a pint of this stuff if your current calorie bank won’t allow for it. Get your one serving and get out, but do enjoy the ride. Check here to find this awesomeness at a grocery store near you.

And that’s it. Five fast-fix foods to help you combat the quick and easy low-carb meal challenges you may face this week.