There are so many vegetables that are low in calories that you can pick any time you want a healthy side dish. Incorporating them into your meals not only brings a burst of flavor but also ensures you're getting essential nutrients without piling on the calories. Vegetables, with their rich color palette and diverse textures, have always been the unsung heroes of a well-balanced diet. Not only are they chock full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, but they also play a pivotal role in weight management.
One of the classic examples is the humble carrot. When one ponders on the calories in a carrot, they might be pleasantly surprised. Carrots are not only deliciously crunchy and versatile but are also incredibly low in calories, making them a perfect snack or addition to any meal. So, the next time you're looking for a guilt-free munch or planning to jazz up your salad, remember the myriad of low-calorie vegetable options available to you. Choose any of the following vegetables that are low in calories to help you fill your belly, nourish your body, and maybe even drop some weight.
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1. Spinach
Spinach has about 7 calories per cup! That makes it one of the best vegetables that are low in calories. You can use it in a variety of ways so it’s super easy to include in your meal plans. Add spinach to a salad or sandwich. You can also sauté it with a bit of garlic for a healthy and delicious side dish that pairs well with chicken or fish.
2. Broccoli
Steamed broccoli is the perfect side dish for any meal. It works well with fish, steak, pork chops and chicken, so you should always have some on hand. Toss broccoli in potato soup or eat it raw with a bit of low-fat dressing for a healthy and yummy snack. At only 31 calories per cup, there’s nothing holding you back from chowing down on broccoli any time the mood strikes.
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3. Tomatoes
A cup of chopped tomatoes weighs in with only about 32 calories and they taste so good in many recipes. Toss chopped tomato into your salad or stick tomato slices on your favorite sandwich. I love them on a grilled cheese sandwich. Add tomatoes to soup or process it with jalapeno, salt and pepper and make a delicious homemade salsa that you can enjoy on tacos or corn chips. Combine tomatoes with mozzarella cheese and fresh basil leaves and top toast with it.
4. Cucumbers
Cucumbers have a pleasing crunch and a mild flavor that means they are perfect for eating in several ways. At only 14 calories per cup, you won’t even do any damage to your diet by eating them all the time. Slice cucumbers and combine them with sliced red onions a dash of red wine vinegar and a sprinkling of freshly cracked black pepper for a super yummy side dish. Add cucumbers to salads too! They offer up a great flavor.
5. Zucchini
Zucchini is one of those vegetables that taste just as good cooked as they do raw. You can shred them into salads or put slices of zucchini on your sandwich. Add cubed zucchini to pasta sauce, vegetable soup or pasta salad. Grill zucchini halves with olive oil, salt and pepper and serve alongside grilled steak or fish. Use zucchini slices to make lasagna too. You simply can’t go wrong since a large zucchini only has 3 measly little calories.
6. Celery
You’ve probably heard that celery is a negative calorie food, which means it takes more calories to chew it than it contains in the first place. While that may or may not be true, celery only has 16 calories per cup, which makes it a great addition to your meal plan. Adding it to salads or soups is a great way to add flavor and crunch to your recipes. Spread a bit of peanut butter in a stalk of celery for a super tasty snack.
7. Carrots
What better snack is there than a handful of baby carrots with hummus? It’s perfect for home or your lunchbox. And with only 52 calories per cup, carrots are perfect for anyone’s healthy diet. Put raw carrots in a salad or shred them and add to pasta sauce. Add carrots to pasta primavera or pasta salad. Their crunch pairs wonderfully with the texture of cooked noodles.
What’s your favorite vegetable? Do you have one to add to this list?
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