Ah, yes, mashed cauliflower! Boil until soft, make sure it's ALL the way dry, then mash just like mashed potatoes
I usually add a tbsp of Smart Balance butter spread (5cal/tbsp...another substitution I like, hehe). It's yummy with garlic and herbs like mashed potatoes. I've recently discovered feta and dill in it which is also yummy. Signigificantly less calories than mashed potatoes, but it hits the spot for me!
I use eggplant for various things. I find that it can stand in as a noodle (like eggplant lasagna) as well as a meat (like eggplant parmesan). It has a hearty meaty texture and sponges up whatever flavors it's being cooked with.
Also, popcorn, the love of my life. I owe some of my weight loss/maintenance success to popcorn just because it ALWAYS satisfies my desire to mindlessly munch large volumes of food while staying within my calories. I've had a humongo bowl of popcorn nearly every night since I was about 160lbs, lol. I'm not sure what it substitutes for. Chips, maybe? Basically anything that would be munched handful after handful? The way I make it, it tastes quite similar to Cinnamon Toast Crunch. I air pop it, and as it's spewing out of my air popper, I spritz it with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spray. Then I sprinkle it with some cinnamon, a few packets of sweetener, and a dash of salt. Then shake to make sure it's evenly coated. It's heavenly.
