We all know that if you want to lose weight, that means cutting fat. To reach this goal, many turn are cutting their carbohydrate and sugar intake, so our body begins to burn fat for fuel instead of carbs.
For most, that means turning to vegetables as a big portion of their diet, as they provide a healthy alternative to other food groups. It is assumed that all vegetables are good for you and promote weight loss. However, not all veggies are created equal. Some of them are quite high in sugar and carb content and can hamper your weight loss goals.
Veggies to Avoid for Low Sugar, Low Carb Diet
If you are trying to cut down on sugars and carbs in your diet, these are a few vegetables you will want to steer clear of and reach for other alternatives instead. I’ll reiterate that all types of vegetables have nutritional value, but if sugars and carbs are to be minimized, you’ll want to consume little or none of the following.
Sweet Corn
While this is one of the most consumed vegetables and a personal favorite of mine, it also contains some of the highest amounts of sugar among this food group. One cup of corn contains more than 9 grams of sugar (or more than 2 teaspoons).
Beets
Beets are often regarded as a superfood for dieting, and while they do have a lot of health benefits, that neglects the fact that they are loaded in sugar – more than 3 teaspoons per cup.
Peas
So easy to eat, and so versatile in that they can go in so many dishes, but these tasty veggies contain 9.5 grams of sugar (or around 2.5 teaspoons).
Sweet Potatoes
Notice a bit of a theme? If it has “sweet” in front of its name, that is due to its sugar content. A cup of sweet potatoes contains 3.5 teaspoons of sugar. While regular (not sweet) potatoes have less sugar, they are very high in carb content.
Onions
Probably the most commonly used vegetable in all kinds of cooking, this one also ranks up there among the highest in sugar content. One medium piece of onion contains 4 to 5 grams of sugar.
Carrots
One cup of carrots (chopped) contains around 1.5 teaspoons of sugar, or more than 6 grams.
What to Eat Instead
So, you’ll want to strike those options off your list. But, if you still want to get plenty of vegetables in your diet (as described here), you are not out of options.
For the most part, look for cruciferous greens like lettuce, kale, spinach, arugula. Broccoli and cauliflower also make great options. Avocado, tomato, olives, cucumber, eggplant, zucchini are also good choices. Mix up a combination of many of the above and you can make a great tasting salad that is also low in carbohydrates and sugar, helping you reach your weight loss goals!
About Shaun Hudson
Shaun Hudson loves sports, being outdoors, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. After many unsuccessful attempts to lose weight, he finally was able to drop 25 pounds and keep it off. The secret? He kept a journal of his activity, diet, and daily life. That journal changed his life, and has since evolved into this website. Read his full bio.