Looking to get healthy without sacrificing taste? Then these low carb vegetables are for you!
As someone who is relatively new to the world of eating cleaner, healthier foods, finding things that taste great has been a bit of a task. So often the foods that are the best for you are the same foods that taste like your eating dirt or leaves off of a tree. Finding low carb snacks, let alone meals turned into somewhat of a challenge.
After force feeding myself to eat low carb vegetables like mushrooms (I’ve always hated their consistency), and kale (I think kale is highly overrated, but we can discuss that later), I’ve found other options I enjoy so much more.
If you’re looking to get healthy and lose weight by committing to a low carb diet, but don’t know where to start, never fear!
Thankfully, after much trial and error (and the help of Healthline), I’ve found great low carb veggies and meals that taste incredible.
Today, I’m sharing my favorite low carb vegetables with you and their benefits below!
1. Spinach
Spinach was one of those low carb vegetables I hated as a child. It wasn’t until I tried sauteed spinach with garlic at a restaurant I worked at in my 20’s, that made me realize just how incredible it tastes!
One cooked cup of spinach has 7 grams of carbs and 4 grams of fiber- it’s also full of vitamins and minerals!
Another reason spinach is one of my favorite low carb vegetables is because it’s incredibly affordable. You can purchase a literal bunch of spinach (not the bagged, pre-packaged kind) at Kroger for $1.49.
I recreate the spinach I used to eat at my old job, right at my home in under 5 minutes flat. I throw spinach and diced garlic on the stove and douse it in olive oil. With a dash of sea salt and black pepper, it’s ready in no time! It’s one of my go-to low carb sides at dinner.
2. Lettuce
I feel like lettuce gets a bad wrap.
Although lettuce might not deemed as being as healthy as other salad blends, it’s still really good for you. It contains 1 gram of digestible carbs in one serving (1 cup). It’s full of vitamins, including folate (which is great for your heart)- it also tastes delicious. What’s not to love about this low carb vegetable?
I put lettuce on my tacos and I use it as a wrap for my chicken sandwich and burgers. It’s another vegetable that’s also incredibly cheap. I can’t get enough of it.
3. Bell Peppers
I love bell peppers because of their hearty, meaty texture and rich taste. Their subtle, yet sweet taste makes them the perfect low carb vegetable to add to salads, to dip in lite blue cheese dressing for a low carb snack and to add to omelettes.
One cup of chopped bell peppers only contains 9 grams of carbs, 3 of them being fiber. They’re also full of antioxidants.
I love stuffed bell peppers for lunch or dinner. If you’ve never had them before check out this amazing recipe full of low carb vegetables!
4. Asparagus
Asparagus is my favorite vegetable on this list. It’s super easy to make and has such a nuanced flavor. I eat it almost everyday. I typically chop it up, sauté it for a few minutes and then add egg whites on top to make it into an omelet. It’s delightful!
Asparagus has so many health benefits. In addition to being it only being 8 carbs per serving (4 of which is fiber), it’s also a great source of the vitamins A, C and K. Recent studies have also referenced that it may help combat anxiety too!
If you want to eat with your dinner, making this low carb vegetable has never been easier. Pre-heat your oven to 400F. Place aluminum on a sheet plan and coat it with olive oil. Toss the asparagus spears in a Ziploc bag with olive oil. Place the baking sheet in the oven for 10-12 minutes and you’re good to go!
The next time you’re on the hunt for tasty low carb veggies, remember the ones I mentioned above! Are there other tasty ones that I’m leaving out? Leave your answer in the comments below.
