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

Our top 20 best low-carb vegetables? ›

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

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

Our top 20 best low-carb vegetables
  • Watercress – 0.1g. ...
  • Rocket – 0.1g. ...
  • Button mushrooms – 0.3g. ...
  • Curly kale – 1.4g. ...
  • Lettuce – 1.4g. ...
  • Celery – 1.4g. ...
  • Radish – 1.4g. ...
  • Spinach – 1.6g.
Jun 24, 2020

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 canned vegetables have no carbs? ›

Green beans, olives, sauerkraut, pickles, and tomatoes are all good low-carb canned vegetable choices. Carrots are slightly higher in carbs, but can also be a good choice. You can also find canned coconut flesh and canned broccoli and cauliflower at many international grocery stores.

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 high carb veggies to avoid? ›

3. Starchy vegetables
  • Sweet corn: 75 grams (59 grams net)
  • Potatoes: 22 grams ( 20 grams net)
  • Sweet potatoes: 18 grams (15 grams net)
  • Peas: 25 grams (16 grams net)
  • Butternut squash: 11 grams (8 grams net)
Aug 10, 2023

What is the lowest carb potato? ›

The carb content varies depending on the potato variety. The lowest is Zerella with 8.9 g per 100 g. GiLICIOUS comes in at 10.3 g per 100. Both of these are marketed as low carb potatoes and claim '25% less carbs'.

Are cucumbers ok on a low-carb diet? ›

Cucumbers are low in carbs and very refreshing. One cup (104 g) of chopped cucumber contains 4 g of carbs, less than 1 g of which is fiber. Although cucumbers aren't very high in vitamins or minerals, they contain a compound called cucurbitacin E, which may benefit health.

Which beans have the lowest carbs? ›

Highest and Lowest Carb Beans

Among these, black soybeans and green beans have the lowest carbs, potentially making them better for a keto diet. On the other hand, chickpeas, pinto beans, and navy beans have high carbs.

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 100% carb free? ›

Food and drinks allowed on a no-carb diet include meat, fish, eggs, cheese, butter, oils, water, and plain coffee or tea. If you're less stringent, you can also eat nuts, seeds, non-starchy vegetables, and high fat fruits like avocado and coconut since these foods are low in net carbs.

What foods have zero to low carbs? ›

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

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