Our top 20 best low-carb vegetables (2024)

Next, check out our top 10 low-carb fruits and the best carb replacements for your meals.

1. Watercress – 0.1g

Watercress offers a distinct, peppery note to dishes, as well as providing an impressive nutrient profile including vitamin A (beta-carotene), folate, iron and vitamin C.

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Why not try our bean, tomato and watercress salad for a light summer lunch?

2. Rocket – 0.1g

Like watercress, rocket (or arugula) offers pepperiness to dishes, as well as a slight spice and mustard note. The green leaves are rich in chlorophyll, amino acids and vitamins C, B, E and K.Try our or check out our rocket recipe collection for inspiration.

3. Button mushrooms – 0.3g

Mushrooms add a ‘meaty’ texture to dishes, while providing a good plant-based source of vitamin D and selenium. Our creamy mushrooms are delicious with a steak or as part of a brunch menu.

4. Cavolo nero – 1.3g

Cavolo nero (also known as black kale) is the deeply pigmented cousin of curly kale. It adds bite and a compelling depth of colour to most dishes, as well as an impressive nutrient line-up including lutein and vitamins A, C and K. Give it a try with our cavolo nero caesar salad with tuna steaks.

5. Curly kale – 1.4g

Offering slightly less 'bite' than its cousin above, curly kale equally offers a nutritious hit to stews, salad, soups and sauces. Try this as a cold salad for a picnic or serve warm in colder months.

6. Lettuce – 1.4g

As lettuce is packed with water, it’s super-hydrating, as well as offering plenty of calcium, magnesium and potassium. If you're after a change from your usual salad or searching for a low-carb ‘sandwich’ option, try our spicy mince lettuce cups.

7. Celery – 1.4g

Stalks of crisp celery are delicious as a low-carb snack dipped in some peanut butter, but if you want a slightly more dressed up way of enjoying it, try our waldorf slaw. Offering plenty of fibre, potassium and sodium, this is a great option for those wanting hydration.

8. Courgette – 1.4g

Courgettes offer a slightly sweet, creamy flavour and lots of vitamin A (beta-carotene) and manganese. Try our stuffed courgette rolls for a simple, yet impressive bite at your next picnic.

9. Radish – 1.4g

Radishes are crisp and peppery, making them great for salads or a garnish. They're also low in calories and offer small amounts of nutrients like potassium, calcium, magnesium and B vitamins. Why not try our radishes with whipped goat's butter for a low-carb snack?

10. Spinach – 1.6g

Spinach is not only nutritious, offering iron, calcium and magnesium, but it's also very versatile thanks to its mild flavour. Try our sesame spinach as a side, or check out our spinach recipe collection for more inspiration.

11. Fennel – 1.8g

Perhaps less popular than it should be, fennel is rich in fibre and vitamin C. It has a mildly sweet note with a distinct anise-like flavour. Give it a go with our barbecued fennel with black olive dressing.

12. Pak choi – 1.9g

Pak choi adds a delicious fresh crunch to dishes, as well as a decent amount of iron and calcium. Try these Asian greens as a side in a Chinese meal, or check out our pak choi recipes for more tasty ways to use this vegetable.

13. Asparagus – 2g

Asparagus season is relatively short in the UK, spanning from April to mid June, so take advantage of this delicious green when you can. It offers folate, chromium and vitamins A, C, E and K. Try it grilled or as a low-carb breakfast in our .

14. Aubergine – 2.2g

Aubergines are super-versatile. Their creamy, meaty flesh offers a range of nutrients, from vitamins B1 and B6, to minerals magnesium and manganese, while their deep purple skin provides the antioxidant nasunin. These miso aubergines are a satisfying, umami-packed vegan main. Check out our aubergine recipe collection for more inspiration.

15. Purple sprouting broccoli – 2.6g

Purple sprouting broccoli offers an impressive nutritional profile of vitamins and antioxidants. Its long, elegant stems sit beautifully as a side to most dishes. Why not try this purple sprouting broccoli with eggs hollandaise for your next brunch?

16. Green beans – 3.1g

Green beans are in season July until the end of September and are a great choice for late summer salads or sides. They’re fibre-rich and offer a variety of nutrients including B vitamins, K and E. These are perfect for a picnic or barbecue.

17. Broccoli – 3.2g

anyone? This is a far cry from the over-boiled broccoli of many of our childhoods. Grilled, roasted, fried or steamed broccoli offers iron, folate and vitamin K, and can add wonderful flavour and texture to a dish. Check out our broccoli recipes for some ideas.

18. Savoy cabbage – 4.1g

Whether cooked or raw, cabbage offers a tasty crunch and healthy dose of magnesium, calcium and iron. This savoy cabbage with almonds is a great accompaniment to a main dish, or why not enjoy leftovers cold the next day?

19. Brussels sprouts – 4.1g

Brussels sprouts are high in fibre, while also offering plenty of vitamin K and C. Try this for a substanial side, or why not try our chilli-charred sprouts for a low-carb side?

20. Cauliflower – 4.4g

The resurgence of cauliflower has seen it appear in everything from roasts to pizzas – and for good reason. Not only does it's creamy flesh offer plenty of versatility, it's also low in calories, while providing plenty of fibre, vitamin C and choline. Try our for a satisfying veggie main.

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All health content on goodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other healthcare professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local healthcare provider. See our terms and conditions for more information.

Our top 20 best low-carb vegetables (2024)

FAQs

What are 7 great vegetables to cut down on carbs? ›

List of the best low carb vegetables
  • Cucumbers. Cucumbers are a refreshing and nutritious addition to any salad — Greek or otherwise! ...
  • Iceberg lettuce. ...
  • Celery. ...
  • White mushrooms. ...
  • Spinach. ...
  • Swiss chard. ...
  • Broccoli. ...
  • Bell peppers.

What are the best vegetables for a low-carb diet? ›

Top 12 Options for Low-Carb Vegetables
  • Red Bell Peppers. ...
  • Carrots. ...
  • Mushrooms. ...
  • Zucchini. ...
  • Green Beans. ...
  • Cucumber. ...
  • Artichokes. ...
  • Brussels Sprouts.
Jan 12, 2024

What is the best vegetable for carbs? ›

Veggies That Are Healthy Sources of Carbs
  • Broccoli. 1/15. Serving: 1 cup chopped, raw or cooked. ...
  • Carrots. 2/15. Serving: 1 cup, raw. ...
  • Corn. 3/15. Serving: 1 cup chopped, or 1 large ear. ...
  • Sweet Potato. 4/15. Serving: 1 cup, chopped or mashed, raw or cooked. ...
  • Beets. 5/15. ...
  • Parsnips. 6/15. ...
  • Brussels Sprouts. 7/15. ...
  • Zucchini. 8/15.
Jan 28, 2023

Which vegetables have no sugar? ›

Mushrooms, spinach, kale, soybean sprouts, celery, broccoli, cucumber, cauliflower, radishes, and asparagus are among the vegetables with the lowest sugar content available. Seafood, pork, beef, and chicken are all sugar-free. They're also an important source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

What fruit is lowest in sugar and carbs? ›

Which fruit has the least amount of sugar? Tomato is the fruit with the least amount of sugar, with 2.6 grams of sugar per 100 grams and 3.9 grams of total carbs per 100 grams. As with carb content, watermelon comes in second, with just 6 grams of sugar and 7.5 grams of total carbs per serving.

Which cheese has the least carbs? ›

Goat cheese is an excellent choice for someone following the keto diet. It contains 0 carbs, making it a great way to hit your macros — 1 ounce (oz) of goat cheese also offers 103 calories, 8 g of fat, and 6 g of protein, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

What vegetables have almost no carbs? ›

The best foods with significantly low carbohydrate count include cucumber, spinach, cauliflower, celery, zucchini, iceberg lettuce, asparagus, kale, radish, and tomato.

What vegetable has the most protein and least 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!

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 is the healthiest carb to eat? ›

  1. Brown Rice. Brown rice is a gluten-free whole grain rich in antioxidants. ...
  2. 2. Fruits. While fruits have various amounts of carbs per serving, they also have nutrients like folate, potassium, and fiber. ...
  3. Maple Syrup. ...
  4. Millet. ...
  5. Oats. ...
  6. Potatoes. ...
  7. Pulses. ...
  8. Quinoa.
Jun 1, 2024

What is the best food to eat to avoid carbs? ›

Nuts and seeds (those low in net carbs): almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, cashews. Non-starchy vegetables (those low in net carbs): broccoli, zucchini, bell peppers, cauliflower, leafy greens, rutabaga, turnips, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, mushrooms. High fat fruits: coconut, avocado.

What vegetables spike blood sugar? ›

Starchy potatoes

“Potatoes are a vegetable, but the health value of all vegetables are not interchangeable. White potatoes in particular have a very high glycemic load. As a result, a baked white potato can also raise blood sugar even more than a glazed doughnut.”

Which fruit has no sugar at all? ›

The ones you might not even think of as fruit! Olives and avocado naturally contain no sugars. Rhubarb, lime and starfruit have some sugar, but only a half gram per half cup. Lemons, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries and watermelon offer only about 2 to 3 grams per half-cup serving.

What vegetable is bad for blood sugar? ›

People living with diabetes should look to avoid vegetables with a high GI rating, as the body absorbs blood sugar from those foods much quicker compared with low-GI foods. This includes artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, celery, cauliflower, eggplant/aubergine, green beans, lettuce, peppers, snow peas and spinach.”

What are the best keto vegetables? ›

You do not have to limit vegetables if you are on the keto diet or are considering it. Plenty of low-carb vegetable options include arugula, asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, mushrooms, spinach, and tomatoes.

What are high protein no carb vegetables? ›

Non-starchy veggies include broccoli, spinach, asparagus, mushroom, cauliflower, pepper and more. These are high in protein and very low in carb, which makes them the perfect food to lose weight, especially for those who are vegetarians. Besides these vegetables have several health benefits.

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