Carbs aren’t the bad guy people make them out to be and your body needs them for fuel. However, there are good and bad kinds of carbs. In general, fruits and vegetables are a good source of the complex carbs you need. In contrast, refined grains are the bad type that you should stay away from. All that being said, if you’re watching your carb intake, these are fruits and vegetables that you can eat without any guilt.
1. You Can’t Go Wrong with Strawberries
Berries are packed with antioxidants and they taste really great too. When it comes to carbs, strawberries are your best choice, with just under 8 grams per serving. Not only that, but this berry is also loaded with vitamin C and plenty of antioxidants. Eat strawberries plain or toss them into a spinach salad, combine them with bananas in a smoothie or pile them on a dish of vanilla ice cream.
2. A Creamy Avocado is a Great Choice
A serving of avocado only contains about 8 grams of carbs and they are all the healthy kind. An avocado is also a good source of healthy fats that promote your heart and brain health. Sliced avocado is perfect on a turkey sandwich or mashed and spread inside tacos. You can also use it in place of mayo for chicken salad or to add creaminess to a green smoothie.
3. Cucumbers Are Super Low in Carbs
Cucumbers have a lot going for them and the mere 2 grams of carbs per serving is just one of them. They are also rich in water and high in fiber and other nutrients. Sliced cucumbers are a great addition to a tossed salad, but you can also use them to make tzatziki sauce for gyros or layer them on a chicken burger. Yum!
4. You’ll Love Mushrooms in Your Meal Plan
With under 4 grams of carbs per serving, mushrooms are a stand out choice. Use a large Portobello cap in place of a ground beef burger or toss sliced ‘shrooms in your salad. You can also pile them on a sandwich or sauté them and serve them over grilled chicken breast or sirloin steak. Mushrooms are also perfect in casseroles and stew.
5. Watermelon is Yummy and Low in Carbs
Of all the fruits you can eat, watermelon is one of the lowest in carbs, with under 7 grams per serving. This juicy fruit is delicious cut into wedges and served for lunch or dinner, but it’s also great in smoothies. You can make watermelon salad with feta cheese and mint or you can toss it with your other favorite fruits for a tasty fruit salad to enjoy for breakfast or brunch.
6. Have Some Spinach Today
There are loads of great reasons to eat spinach, including its high calcium and iron content. Spinach is also a great choice when you’re watching your carbs because it has under 4 grams per serving. Spinach is an obvious choice in a salad, but you can also place the leaves on a burger or sandwich or toss them into your favorite smoothie recipe. Tasty!
7. Stock up on Peaches Today
A sweet, juicy peach is always a yummy choice, and with minimal carbs, they won’t even wreck your healthy eating goals. A peach is yummy served alongside a sandwich or salad at lunchtime, but you can also use them in smoothies or piled on yogurt or waffles for breakfast.
Which of these is your favorite? What other low-carb foods do you love?
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do veggies really have carbs in them?
- Oh, totally! Every vegetable has some carbs, but some have more than others. That's why it's good to know which ones are low in carbs if you're watching your intake.
- Does spinach have any carbs at all?
- Spinach is pretty awesome because it's super low in carbs. You can eat a bunch without worrying too much about the carb count.
- What about watermelon? I heard it's super carby.
- Watermelon does have carbs, but it's mostly water, so it has fewer carbs than you'd think for such a sweet fruit. It's kind of a refreshing treat without going overboard on carbs.
- Are there any fruits or veggies that are considered complex carbs?
- Cucumbers, for instance, aren't really complex carbs. When we talk about complex carbs, we often mean things like sweet potatoes or whole grains. But cucumbers are great for a low-carb snack!
- Is it possible to have a low-carb diet that includes fruits and veggies?
- Absolutely! You just need to pick the right ones. There are plenty of fruits and veggies that are low in carbs, and they can keep your meals delicious and nutritious without overloading on carbs.