Eating low-carb doesn’t have to be boring. Here’s a list of 10 great foods to add to your shopping cart today.
They are great ingredients for a versatile lunch or snack you can whip up quickly.
Low-Carb Tortillas
The varieties of tortillas are limitless. You can find low-carb, gluten-free, whole-wheat, sprouted, and even varieties made with almond flour. Try a different type of tortilla, and you might be pleasantly surprised. You can whip up quesadillas with black beans, corn, and shredded cheese for lunch or dinner. Slice up some avocados on the side and serve with fresh pico de gallo.
Black Beans
Black beans are a great staple to have in the house. You will want to watch the carbohydrate content, especially if you are having it with a tortilla, but black beans are also high in fiber, potassium, folate, and vitamin B6. The fiber helps lower the total amount of cholesterol in the blood and decrease the risk of heart disease. You can stock up on cans, but they are very easy to cook. Just soak them in water for 1-2 hours, and then pressure cook. They will be done in time for dinner if you start in the morning.
Turkey
Turkey is high in protein, zinc, B vitamins, phosphorus, tryptophan, and selenium. It is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, provided that you do not eat the skin. It’s a versatile and lean meat that you can wrap into a whole-wheat tortilla for a snack or take it to work for lunch.
Salsa
Salsa is a fun and easy way to add some flavor to your meal. It’s super easy to make at home. For a simple recipe, all you have to do is mix together 6 diced Roma tomatoes, 1/2 red onion, a handful of freshly chopped cilantro, 1 seeded jalapeno pepper, a splash of lime juice, 1 clove garlic, 1 pinch of garlic powder, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving. You can use it with egg dishes, soups, and taco salads.
Hummus
Traditionally a Middle Eastern snack made with chickpeas, garlic, and olive oil, this low-fat dip can be found in many varieties from sun-dried tomato, white bean and basil hummus, edamame hummus, roasted garlic hummus, eggplant hummus, and more. Just be sure to skip the chips, and use vegetable dunkers instead for the same great crunch.
Avocado
Creamy, buttery avocado is full of good fat that promotes good heart health and good cholesterol levels. Make your own avocado toast, and spread onto a thin piece of bread, and top with tomatoes or radishes, and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper. You can also enjoy guacamole as a dip, but be sure to spare the chips as well, because if fried and heavily salted, they will out-weight the benefits of the avocado. Try baking a low-carb tortilla in the toaster oven for a few minutes to make your own “chips” if you really need them.
Blueberries
Berries are an excellent choice for people with diabetes because they are low in calories and high in antioxidants fiber. Add them to some non-fat plain Greek yogurt and sprinkle on a tiny bit of granola for some added crunch and sweetness.
Eggs
The incredible edible egg! They are chock-full of amino acids and nutrients that your body’s cells need to function. Eggs are also highly versatile and can be scrambled, boiled, made into omelets, used to cook and bake and are great for salads, and egg sandwiches also!
Yogurt
Yogurt is full of calcium, protein, and probiotics — bacteria that are good for your gut. According to a recent Harvard School of Public Health study, researchers found people who eat yogurt are less likely to be obese or have heart disease. You can eat it with fruit or granola at breakfast, or as a mid-afternoon snack. It can also be used as a substitute for sour cream or to lighten up desserts and soups.
Carrots and Celery
Loaded with fiber, vitamin A, potassium, and calcium, these vegetables are perfect for soups or for seasoning when you cook chicken. It’s also a great snack with peanut butter or hummus.