10 Vegetables That Are Lower in Carbs than You Think (2024)

Sheela Prakash

Sheela PrakashSenior Contributing Food Editor

Sheela is the Senior Contributing Food Editor at Kitchn and the author of Mediterranean Every Day: Simple, Inspired Recipes for Feel-Good Food. She received her master's degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy and is also a Registered Dietitian.

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updated May 1, 2019

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10 Vegetables That Are Lower in Carbs than You Think (1)

When you’re thinking about what vegetables to eat on a ketogenic diet, there are a few that seems to stand out among the rest. Veggies like cauliflower and spinach get a whole lot of low-carb love — and while they definitely deserve it, there are a slew of other ones that are just as low in carbs, if not lower, that sometimes get forgotten about. Remember, we’re taking about net carbs here (the carbs minus the fiber), which is what truly counts on a keto diet. Here are 10 vegetables to bring to your plate.

1. Asparagus

Crisp green asparagus is extra low in carbs: 1 cup cooked contains just 4 net carbs. Served alongside soft-boiled eggs, it’s a great breakfast or lunchtime pick.

2. Avocado

It seems avocado can really do no wrong. A whole medium avocado contains 4 net carbs and also happens to be extra filling and satisfying.

This mildly bitter, hearty green deserves your love if you’re following a keto diet: 1 small bunch contains just 2 net carbs. Sauté it with plenty of garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a quick and easy side dish.

4. Eggplant

One cup of cooked eggplant cubes contains 6 net carbs. It also happens to be a great meat substitute if you’re looking for a hearty alternative.

5. Mushrooms

Mushrooms are another meaty vegetable we love: 1 cup of cooked mushrooms contains 5 net carbs. Enjoy them simply sautéed or piled on top of juicy steak.

6. Swiss Chard

Swiss chard is another hearty green that’s quite low in carbs: 1 cooked cup contains only 3 net carbs. It’s also great used as an alternative to lettuce in a salad or slaw.

7. Broccoli

Cauliflower may get most of the low-carb love, but it’s green counterpart deserves some too: 1 cup of cooked broccoli florets contains just 3 net carbs.

8. Radishes

Don’t forget about radishes! The cool, crisp veggie is a favorite in salads but we also love to roast them: 1 cup contains only 2 net carbs.

9. Cabbage

One cup of raw, chopped cabbage contains a measly 2 net carbs. That means slaws are a keto dieter’s best friend. But don’t forget — cooked cabbage is a glorious thing, too.

10. Artichokes

Definitely keep a bag of frozen artichoke hearts in your freezer: 1/2 cup of cooked artichoke hearts contains just 5 net carbs. We love them alongside chicken or in a hearty egg-based pie.

10 Vegetables That Are Lower in Carbs than You Think (2024)

FAQs

10 Vegetables That Are Lower in Carbs than You Think? ›

Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, celery, iceberg lettuce, cucumber, and tomatoes contain very few or almost no carbohydrates. The carbohydrate count ranges from 2.97 to 3.89 grams. One cup of raw kale contains 0.9 g of carbohydrates (0% DV), making it a low-carb option.

Which veggies have no carbs? ›

Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, celery, iceberg lettuce, cucumber, and tomatoes contain very few or almost no carbohydrates. The carbohydrate count ranges from 2.97 to 3.89 grams. One cup of raw kale contains 0.9 g of carbohydrates (0% DV), making it a low-carb option.

What are 10 foods low in carbohydrates? ›

Non-starchy vegetables: spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, tomatoes. Lower carb fruits: oranges, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries. Nuts and seeds: almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, pistachios. High-fat dairy: cheese, butter, heavy cream, Greek yogurt.

What is the number 1 carb to avoid? ›

1. Sugary Foods. Most people already think of many of the foods in this category as unhealthy treats. Candy, soft drinks, and sweet desserts such as cake, chocolate, and ice cream are all expected entries on a list of carbs to avoid to lose weight.

What foods are basically no carbs? ›

Food and drinks allowed on a no-carb diet include meat, fish, eggs, cheese, butter, oils, water, and plain coffee or tea.

Is sweet potato low-carb? ›

‌Sweet potatoes have a lot of carbohydrates. One 5-inch sweet potato has about 26 grams of carbohydrates. In a low-carb diet, one sweet potato has half of the calories from carbohydrates that you may be allowed. But that's still less than the carb content of a white potato: 35 grams, on average.

What foods are filling but low in carbs? ›

Meat, eggs, and seafood are low in carbs. You can also eat certain vegetables, including broccoli and eggplant, as well as fruit, such as avocado and apricots, on a low carb diet.

What happens if I eat no carbs for a month? ›

Severe carb limits can cause your body to break down fat into ketones for energy. This is called ketosis. Ketosis can cause side effects such as bad breath, headache, fatigue and weakness.

Is peanut butter low-carb? ›

Peanut butter is moderately low in carbs and contains both fiber and healthy fat. Its composition makes peanut butter a balanced food that can be added to keto diets, depending on how it's made. This chart reviews some different types of peanut butter and their carb content in a 2-tablespoon (32–37 gram) serving.

What is the lowest carb vegetable to eat? ›

What are the lowest-carb vegetables? Some vegetables with the lowest amount of carbohydrates include mushrooms, zucchini, cauliflower, lettuce, kale, and cucumbers.

What carbs are the worst for belly fat? ›

"Eating refined carbs like bread, rice, pasta and cookies [in excess] will increase our belly fat. If we want to lose it, we should focus on eating nutrient- and fiber-rich carbs such as vegetables and low-glycemic fruits," says Djordjevic.

What are the worst foods for carbs? ›

Which foods are high in carbohydrates to avoid? You should be careful of foods that are high in carbs but have little nutritional value. Although they taste good, limit your helpings of cakes, pastries, full-sugar sodas, candy, and refined starches (like white pasta, white bread, and white rice).

What vegetables have the highest protein lowest carbs? ›

Some high-protein, low-carb vegetables include kale, spinach, Swiss chard, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.

What rice has no carbs? ›

It's Skinny rice is also known as shirataki rice. Like It's Skinny pasta, It's Skinny rice has ZERO carbs in a 1 cup serving and only 9 calories in the entire two-serving bag! That's right!

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