Staying fit and healthy is a challenge for many people living a fast-paced modern lifestyle. Eating fast-food and other unhealthy snacks rich in carbs will result in weight gain and eventually, other health-related problems.
However, if you cut down on your carb intake and take care of your diet, you will stay lean and healthy. Switch from potato chips and KFC chicken to low-carb veggies, and balance your food to your needs. Eating vegetables is always a good idea. Here are some low-carb veggies you should add to your diet.
1. Broccoli
Broccoli is one of those veggies that can fill your stomach without a lot of carbs and fats. In fact, it takes more calories to digest broccoli than it does to eat it. Many people don’t like how broccoli tastes, but it’s not that bad once you get used to it.
Broccoli is very healthy, and it can decrease the resistance to insulin for Type-2 diabetics. It’s also used in many healthy diets because it’s known to protect against various cancers.
One cup of broccoli has only six grams of carbs, and is very rich in vitamins K and C. No wonder many nutritionists call it a super-food. It’s definitely one of the best low carb vegetables you should consider eating more often.
2. Bell Peppers
Better known as sweet peppers, bell peppers are very rich in antioxidants. Eating these peppers regularly can help decrease cancer risk, reduce inflammation, and protects good cholesterol from oxidation. They come in different colors, but the green ones have the lowest carbs. A cup of chopped red pepper has only 9 grams of carbs, but it has over 90% of your daily vitamin A and 320% RDI for vitamin C. Therefore, it’s one of the best components of any low-carb diet.
3. Celery
If you’ve ever tried eating celery, you’ll know that it has a strong flavor and a crunchy texture. It’s also very low on carbs. One 100-gram cup has only 3 grams of carbs. Celery is packed with an antioxidant called luteolin that’s used for treating and preventing cancer. It’s perfect for cooking vegetable soups because of its flavor.
4. Lettuce
Everyone likes lettuce. It’s a standard element in sandwiches, hamburgers, and other fast-foods because it’s abundant in vitamins A, C, and K. Lettuce comes in many different shapes and sizes, and it’s one of the best sources of vitamins. It also has a high level of folate that has positive effects on the heart, reducing the risk of many different diseases.
5. Mushrooms
Even though mushrooms feel meaty and substantial, they have almost no carbs. A cup of raw mushrooms has only 2 grams of carbs, which is one of the lowest carb levels of all vegetables. Studies have proved that eating mushrooms regularly improves the levels of antioxidants in the blood and reduces inflammation. Mushrooms are not vegetables, but you can find them on any list of the best low carb vegetables available. Their unique flavor makes them suitable for all kinds of dishes. They are also rich in vitamin D.
6. Spinach
Even Popeye eats a lot of spinach to stay healthy and strong. Spinach is a leafy vegetable that deserves more credit than it gets. It’s a vegetable that provides a few significant health benefits that shouldn’t be ignored. Firstly, it’s got the ability to reduce DNA damage. Secondly, it’s good for the heart and the eyes. It works against the formation of cataracts as well as macular degeneration.
But that’s’ not all. Spinach is very rich in crucial minerals and vitamins. A single cup of spinach will provide you with over ten times more vitamin K than your daily needs. It has the lowest amount of carbs when raw, and only 7 grams of carbs per cup when cooked.
7. Zucchini
Zucchini looks like a big soft cucumber, and it’s very low on carbs. It’s used in kitchens all over the world because it tastes nice and is also rich in vitamin C. The green summer squash can be used for sweet and savory recipes alike, and you can use it as a replacement for chips and fries.
8. Cucumber
Cucumbers are full of water, similar to melons, but they are sour instead of sweet. However, cucumbers are a standard element in many summer salads because they are very refreshing and crunchy. One cup of sliced cucumber has 4 grams of carbs, and it’s perfect for reducing swelling and irritated skin. It’s rich in caffeic acid, vitamin C, fiber, magnesium, and potassium. With low levels of selenium, it’s also useful for fighting cancer. Surprisingly enough, cucumbers are also good at battling inflammation and preventing cardiovascular diseases.
9. Green Beans
Even though green beans have a bit more starch than the other veggies on our list, they are still very low on carbs. One cup of green beans has 10 grams of carbs, four of which are fibers. Include them in your regular diet as they are rich in chlorophyll that works against cancer. They also have a dose of carotenoids that keeps your brain working better as you age.
10. Brussel’s Sprouts
Brussel’s sprouts may appear tasteless, but they are, in fact, delicious. However, they tend to give out a strong smell when cooked, which is why many people don’t want to try them. You should chop them in half and cook them in olive oil or roast them in the oven. A single cup of Brussel’s sprouts has only 11 grams of carbs, four of which are fibers. Brussel’s sprouts provide an 80% RDI of vitamin C and 140% of vitamin K. Eating them regularly may reduce the risk of many types of cancer.
The Bottom Line
These are only some of the best low carb vegetables; you can eat them to stay healthy and reduce your body weight. You can expand your diet with other veggies, including artichokes, cabbage, eggplant, onions, radishes, kale, and so on. All of these vegetables are rich in vitamins and low in carbs and sugars. Changing your diet is the first step to a happier and healthier life.
References:
https://asweetlife.org/the-12-best-low-carb-vegetables/
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/low_carb_vegetables_are_good_for_everybody_especially_those_needing_to_coun
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