Top 10 Low Carb Vegetables
If you are on a diet or simply watching your carbohydrate intake, you are probably wondering which low carb vegetables will fit into your daily menu. Exact carbohydrate count always depends on the serving size. Keep in mind when you are counting carbohydrates that you do not count the fiber. This number actually gets subtracted from the carbohydrate total. The following 10 low carb vegetables are healthy, delicious and will not ruin your diet so feel free to indulge.
- Spinach – This is actually a negative carbohydrate food since the fiber content is more than the carbohydrate count. In addition to being high in fiber, these leafy greens are also an excellent source of vitamin A, folate, vitamin K, manganese, vitamin C, riboflavin, vitamin B6, potassium, magnesium, calcium, vitamin E and iron. Vitamin K is the greatest benefit that spinach offers. This essential vitamin regulates blood clotting, prevents atherosclerosis, protects against osteoporosis and decreases your chance for diabetes and arthritis.
- Avocado – One average-sized avocado has only three grams of carbohydrates but an unbelievable nine grams of fiber. They are made of a heart healthy oil and are high in potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, folate, vitamin K, riboflavin and niacin.
- Cucumbers – These are an excellent replacement for crackers. One entire cucumber has only nine grams of carbohydrates and most of them are in the skin so if you peel the skin, you lose the carbohydrates however, you also lose a bit of the nutritional value as well.
- Asparagus – This member of the lily family is not only one of the top low carb vegetables; one stalk only contains three calories. Asparagus is a natural diuretic and it contains many phytonutrients that protects the cells of your body from damage. It is another outstanding source of vitamin K as well as vitamin C, iron, folate and thiamin.
- Broccoli – Rated one of the top most nutritious foods that you can eat, broccoli has only two grams of carbohydrates for one medium-sized spear. It is an excellent fiber source and is also high in vitamin C, folate, vitamin A, potassium and manganese. Broccoli also contains anti-cancer properties and has amazingly high levels of phytonutrients and antioxidants.
- Cauliflower – This is a favorite of low carb vegetables to substitute for rice or potatoes. Cauliflower also has anti-cancer properties and is an excellent source of fiber, vitamin C, folate, vitamin K, potassium and vitamin B6. It is really easy to make cauliflower rice to use in replace of starchy rice and you have also easily added a vegetable to your meal!
- Tomatoes – One medium-sized tomato has only five grams of carbohydrates and they contain lycopene which is a pigment that not only turns them red, it protects against prostate cancer. Tomatoes are also a good source of vitamin A, potassium, vitamin C and manganese.
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Mushrooms – Although they are technically considered a fungi, they still make the low carb vegetables list. They are high in copper, riboflavin, selenium, potassium and niacin. Mushrooms also contain antioxidant compounds to help prevent cancer.
- Eggplant – This is an excellent vegetable to cook with because it is spongy and absorbs many different flavors. It is quite high in chlorogenic acid and nasunin which prevents heart disease and it is also high in manganese and fiber.
- Celery – This is a good friend to those looking for low carb vegetables to snack on. One celery stalk only has one gram of carbohydrates and six calories. It is also a fairly good source of fiber and an excellent source of potassium, vitamin K and vitamin A. Celery also contains small amounts of vitamin C.