"While the amount of macronutrients one should eat is often the source of contentious debate, all of these diets have one thing in common: they all recommend eating plenty of low carb vegetables."

"Every time you eat, aim to fill half of your plate with low carb vegetables."

In order to make sure this simple, I'd like to take a minute and specify what low carb vegetables are. Low carb vegetables are vegetables that grow above ground. The one exception is winter squash (pumpkin, butternut and acorn squash), which contains more starch than other vegetables that grow above ground. Vegetables that grow below ground, such as tubers and root vegetables, contain more starch and are not considered low carb vegetables. Corn are peas are sometimes considered vegetables, but they're actually grains and legumes and also do not count towards your low carb vegetable goal.

Now that you know that low carb vegetables are vegetables that grow above ground, it might be helpful to hear some examples. Leafy greens like spinach, kale and lettuce grow above ground, as do tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, and eggplant. Summer squash like zucchini and yellow squash, cucumbers, and cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts also grow above ground and are considered low carb vegetables. Onions and garlic are included in this list, too. There's quite a lot of low carb vegetables!

Hopefully I've provided enough clarity as to what is considered a low carb vegetable. My goal is to make eating more vegetables as easy as possible for you! On that note, I've dedicated this post to telling you about six tips you can use to get more low carb vegetables in your diet and simple recipes to go with each. All of the recipes are gluten-free, and most also follow at least one of the diets I mentioned above. My hope is that you find some vegetable recipes that tickle your taste buds!

Simple and Delicious Vegetable Recipes

The first thing you need in order to set yourself up for success is a collection of recipes for vegetable side dishes that you can do. When I say "do", I mean recipes that you can make and recipes that taste good, because if a recipe doesn't satisfy both of those requirements, you won't make it and you won't eat it! All of the recipes below are delicious, simple, and easy to make. Just click on the photo or name of the recipe below each photo to get the ingredients and directions.







 

Easy Salads & Slaws

Of course, salads and slaws also count towards your vegetable allowance, and there are some really, really good salads and slaws out there. Most of these can be on the table in minutes, and all of them include some really delicious flavor combinations!










 

Hearty Vegetable Soups

Soups can also be a great way to eat your vegetables, especially when it's cold outside!

 

Recipes that Substitute Vegetables for Starchy Foods

Another way to get more vegetables in your diet is to substitute a low carb vegetable for a starchy food. Cauliflower is the most popular vegetable used as a substitute, and it can be used to make everything from mashed potatoes and rice to bread and pizza crust. It's a low carb vegetable that offers a lot of health benefits, so check out these recipes!





 








Turns out you can make a pizza crust from spinach, too! 



Zucchini is also a great substitute for starchy foods. It has a mild flavor and versatile texture that allows it to be used as a substitute in many recipes. And like cauliflower, zucchini offers a lot of nutrients!
 

Recipes with Hidden Vegetables

Have family members that hate vegetables, or hate vegetables yourself? Hide them! That's right, you can trick yourself or your family into eating vegetables by hiding them in a delicious recipe.

Smoothies might be my favorite place to hide vegetables, especially leafy greens. Check out my Green Tea Smoothie with Pineapple & Spinach for a delicious way to get your leafy greens!



Chili is another great place to hide vegetables. I hid zucchini in my Roasted Red Pepper Crockpot Chili, but it's so delicious you'd never know!



Desserts are another great place to hide low carb vegetables. These Chocolate Zucchini Muffins by Jennifer Banz look fantastic!



Having a hard time eating vegetables for breakfast? Hide them in your pancakes!

Last Resort: Sliced Raw Veggies to Grab in a Pinch

Are you going through a busy time and finding even 15 minutes to cook one of the recipes above difficult? Don't fret, just grab a handful of raw veggies on your way out the door! Paired with a handful of nuts, a boiled egg, or a piece of cheese, a handful of raw vegetables can satisfy the "half a plate of vegetables" requirement for a snack or small meal.

Even if the only thing you can grab is baby carrots, don't worry about it! In a pinch, it's better to eat any vegetable or even a fruit for the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. Remember, we're trying to make this easy, so don't fret. Just keep the goal of a half plate of low carb vegetables in mind and do your best. My favorite raw vegetables are sliced cucumbers or red bell peppers.



Photo courtesy of Clip Art

Go Forth & Eat Veggies

I hope I've provided enough recipes and ideas today to inspire you, and I hope I've made you hungry...for vegetables!

Remember, eating plenty of low carb vegetables is great for your weight and overall health. Aim to fill half your plate with low carb vegetables every time you eat, and keep the six tips I listed above in mind. Set yourself up for success with a collection of:

1. simple and delicious vegetable recipes
2. easy salads and slaws
3. hearty vegetable soups
4. recipes that substitute vegetables for starchy foods
5. recipes with hidden vegetables
6. sliced raw vegetables to grab in a pinch

If you try one of the recipes I shared in this post, please share your thoughts in the comments below!