The Best Low Carb Alternatives to Your Favorite Foods

Got some serious cravings but don’t want to break your low-carb or keto diet? With these low carb alternatives, you don’t have to miss out on your favorite comfort food. 

Believe it or not, these simple swaps actually taste delicious! I know you’ve been disappointed in the past — so have I. I’ve had my fair share of bland, cardboard-like low-carb substitutes. But trust me, these alternatives bring some serious flavor… just without all the extra carbs.

Whether you’re trying to lose weight, manage your blood sugar levels, or be more mindful of your carb intake, these alternatives are here to help you along your low-carb journey. I’ll share everything I’ve learned over the years and even provide some of my favorite recipes to get you started.

Once you’ve tried these options yourself, you’ll be saying, “Who knew fewer carbs could taste this good!?”

Health Benefits of a Low Carb Diet

By now, we’ve all heard the buzz around low-carb diets, especially the ketogenic diet, a more strict version of low-carb. According to the National Library of Medicine, for low-carb diets, it is recommended to have less than 26% of your daily calories come from carbs (less than 130 grams), while for keto, it’s less than 10% (between 20 and 50 grams).

So who would want to track all that anyway? What do people get out of it? Here are some key benefits:

• Weight loss: By consuming fewer carbs, your body is forced to use its fat stores for energy, resulting in weight loss. A low-carb diet also tends to be high protein and high fat, helping you stay full longer, which results in eating less.
• Controls blood sugar levels: For those with diabetes or insulin resistance, a low-carb diet can prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes, helping to manage the condition.
• Improves cholesterol levels: Low-carb diets have been shown to increase HDL (good) cholesterol and decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol, resulting in a healthier balance.
• Better for heart health: With improved cholesterol levels and weight loss, low-carb diets can reduce the risk of heart disease.

Wondering what foods fit into a low-carb diet? Check out our guide: Low-Carb Diet: What Foods To Eat

The Best Low-Carb Alternatives to Your Favorite Foods

These low-carb swaps feature nutrient-rich foods that are both accessible and delicious. Complicated and highly restrictive diets are not sustainable, so instead, opt for these simple and satisfying alternatives:

1. Bread

You don’t realize how much bread is a staple in your diet until you try to cut it out. From tacos to sandwiches to pizza, it’s hard to imagine a meal without it. Luckily, there are plenty of low-carb bread alternatives available:

• Cloud bread: Made from whipped egg whites, cream cheese, and a touch of sweetener, this light and airy bread is perfect for sandwiches or toast. Try our 4-Ingredient Cloud Bread!
• Low-carb breads: Sometimes you just want a regular ol’ slice of bread. Our Life-Changing Keto Bread is not expected to be the same as traditional bread, but it is a great option for those following a low-carb diet. You can also find many brands of low-carb or keto bread in your local grocery store. 

Breadcrumbs

For recipes that call for breadcrumbs, try using crushed pork rinds, pistachios, or almond flour instead. These alternatives add a crunch and flavor without the added carbs. 

Tacos

Replace those carb tortillas with our Crispy Cheese Taco Shells or Cauliflower Tortillas Recipe for a tasty and satisfying alternative. Or just replace the traditional vessel altogether with these Taco Zucchini Boats. Lettuce wraps are also a great and affordable low-carb option for tacos!

Sandwiches

Pizza

There are plenty of frozen cauliflower pizza crust brands available in grocery stores nowadays. Or, try our Cheesy Keto Pan Pizza for something just as easy (and even more delicious) at home!

2. Pasta

Oh, the grip that Italian food has on us all! But don’t worry, you can still enjoy your favorite pasta dishes with these low carb alternatives.

Zucchini noodles (or “zoodles”) are a popular choice and can be used in place of traditional pasta in dishes like this Zucchini Noodle Carbonara Recipe. You can also cut them into strips and use them as the noodles in lasagna or this Easy Zucchini Ravioli.

Eggplants can also be useful here, as thin slices can be used instead of lasagna noodles. Our Eggplant Lasagna recipe is a great example of this.

Spaghetti squash is another wonderful option for pasta lovers. Try it in this Spaghetti Squash Pasta Salad or Spaghetti Squash Puttanesca!

We get that these alternatives may not scratch that itch completely. I mean, these are vegetables, after all! If you want a more traditional pasta texture, try shirataki noodles or Palmini pasta. These are made from plant-based ingredients and are an excellent low carb option. 

3. Potatoes

You can’t beat the level of comfort that a warm, creamy potato dish can bring. But maybe you can! The star ingredient? Cauliflower. You can easily use it to make a lower-carb version of mashed potatoes, like this Creamy Garlic Mashed Cauliflower or as featured in this Veggie Shepherd’s Pie.

And if you love a hearty potato soup, this 5-Ingredient Bacon Cauliflower Slow Cooker Soup will hit the spot. It’s creamy, flavorful, and low in carbs.

Another contender, at least for making scalloped potatoes, is zucchini! Our Low-Carb Cheesy Scalloped Zucchini recipe is a must-try for those looking to cut back on carbs but still enjoy a classic comforting dish.

4. Rice

White rice is used in so many Asian-inspired dishes, like stir-fries and sushi. But it’s not the only option. Cauliflower reigns supreme again with its ability to mimic rice when grated or chopped into small pieces (a.k.a. cauliflower rice!) It’s really as close as you’re going to get to regular rice while still keeping the carb count down. You can learn How To Rice Cauliflower here!

Our 5 Favorite Cauliflower Rice Recipes demonstrate the versatility of this ingredient and how it can easily replace regular rice in any dish. Give these dishes a try and see for yourself! 

Other options for rice alternatives include quinoa, but if you’re trying to stay in ketosis, be sure to watch your portions as it has a higher carb count. 

5. Fruit

I totally took fruit for granted before going low carb. While fresh fruit is healthy and contains essential vitamins and nutrients, it can also pack a punch with sugar. But don’t worry — there are still some low-carb fruit options that you can enjoy in moderation.

Here is the net carb count per 1/2 cup:

• Raspberries – 3g
• Blackberries – 4g
• Strawberries – 6g
• Blueberries – 9g

As you can see these are all berries, as they are lower in sugar compared to other fruits. However, you can still enjoy small portions of other fruits such as watermelon, avocado, peaches, and cantaloupe. Just be sure to track your intake and stick to smaller portions.

Here is our full list of The Best Fruits to Eat on a Low-Carb Diet.

As for recipes, we recommend starting out with this delicious Mint Yogurt with Strawberries or this refreshing Strawberry, Avocado, and Spinach Salad!

5. Cake and Cookies

The craving for dessert is so real when you’re not eating as many carbs! With these low carb alternatives, you’ll no longer feel like the cookie monster. COOKIES COOKIES!

My go-to is always these Low-Carb Mug Cakes. They are ridiculously easy to make and only take a minute in the microwave. I also can’t resist a tiny taste of this Ooey Gooey Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe – it’s perfect for sharing with friends or indulging in a little treat for yourself.

So how do we get these sweet treats to be low carb? The secret is using alternative sweeteners like stevia and coconut sugar. Another great one that is gaining popularity is monk fruit sweetener, which has zero calories and is diabetic-friendly.

Instead of white flour, almond flour and coconut flour are great substitutes that add healthy fats and protein to your baked goods. With these ingredients, you could easily make your own low carb versions of favorite desserts like brownies, cheesecake, and more!

6. Chips and Candy

If you’re a snacker like me, you’ll be happy to know that there are low carb alternatives for chips and candy too! My personal favorite is making my own Southwestern Kale Chips — they are so crunchy and satisfying. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, try this Bell Pepper Candy recipe. It’s a tasty alternative to traditional sugary candy. You can also find low-carb versions of popular candies like gummy bears and chocolate bars online or in specialty health food stores.