Think eating low-carb is boring? Think again! Here are ten very excellent (and very delicious) low-carb recipes that’ll make you wonder why you ever needed carbs in the first place.
(Except for cheesecake. Everyone needs cheesecake.)
Hello, Weary Chef-ers! I’m Kirsten, and I’ve been Andi’s social media assistant for the past couple of months. Having known Andi for a little while now, I can confirm that she is every bit as lovely as she appears to be within the pages of this website, and you should all give her a virtual high-five for being so awesome.
Andi’s asked me to write a bit about low-carb meals today; a topic I am veeeeeerry interested in. For the past few months I’ve been on a low-carb, high-fat diet called the ketogenic diet. I wrote a ginormous explanation of this on my own blog, if you want to have a look, but basically the keto diet turns your body into a FAT BURNING MACHINE.
There are also a whole heap of other health benefits that come with this diet, but I like it because you don’t have to count calories. Plus, it gives you a clearer mind and stops bloating. Also bacon. And peanut butter. Sometimes together. What a glorious combination. I’m not necessarily aiming to lose weight with this diet, although a couple of kilograms (or pounds for you Americans, which I assume is most of you – hello!) would be nice. I just find that I feel my best – inside and out – when I eat low-carb foods, and so I’ll continue to eat this way for a long while yet. Any diet where halloumi is not only acceptable, but encouraged, is okay with me.
However, the downside to eating low-carb is that it can be very restrictive. I found the diet to be quite hard when I started, but over time you learn to substitute high-carb foods for low-carb foods. Instead of milk in your coffee, you might have a bit of whipped cream or almond milk. Or instead of stuffing your face with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (a previous hobby of mine that I miss so dearly), you might whip up your own batch of keto-friendly peanut butter cups, like these ones here. Every so often I’ll have a “cheat day” and eat so much Pizza Hut that I actually turn into a giant pepperoni (because they’re greasy and round, like me post-pizza), but for the most part I don’t really miss any of the high-carb foods I used to eat. Oh, except for fruit. I love me a bit of fruit. Yesterday they were selling $1 punnets of strawberries at my local supermarket. They are usually $6 a punnet. Do you know how often this happens? Only when I’m on a diet, it seems. Australia is both cruel and expensive, man.
Anyway, back to what we’re all here for: food. Here are ten low-carb recipe ideas, all of which I wish I was eating right now:
Goat cheese, strawberry and prosciutto salad by The Housewife in Training Files
Mexican Steak & Avocado Salsa by Tastes of Lizzie T’s
Pine Nut and Basil Zoodles by Eazy Peazy Mealz
Tex Mex Layered Salad by Recipe Girl
Eggplant and Zucchini Lasagna by The Cookie Writer
Egg and Bacon Breakfast Cups by Flavor the Moments
Cheesy Hasselback Chicken by The Weary Chef
Cauliflower Pepperoni Pizza Casserole by Brooklyn Farm Girl
Coconut Flour Waffles by Fake Ginger
Skinny Chocolate Mousse by The Cookie Rookie
Hi! Andi here. Thanks so much for this fab roundup, Kirsten. Be sure to leave her a comment letting her know what you think, and maybe she’ll be nice enough to write for us again soon!
Joanie @ Zagleft says
What a great selection of recipes. I’m watching my carbs so I’m bookmarking these to add to my menu.
Andi says
Thanks, Joanie! I need to try the chocolate dessert for sure. Who knew dessert could be low carb??
tanya says
Low carb looks REALLY good! Great collection.
Andi says
Thanks, Tanya! I don’t think you shy away from carbs any more than I do, but maybe these recipes will make us change our ways ;)
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
Girl these are anything but boring! Gorgeous roundup!
Andi says
Thanks, Krista!
Courtney @ NeighborFood says
These dishes are gorgeous. Diets are so much easier when you have great, beautiful recipes like these!
Andi says
You are right, although I still don’t think I could stick to a low carb diet!
Kate @ Diethood says
YES! I need to forget my carb-loving ways because no-coat season is here!! Can’t hide no’ mo’! haha :-D
Andi says
Oh man, don’t remind me. I bought a swimsuit with a little frilly miniskirt attached in a lame attempt to hide all the salted caramels and wine I’ve enjoyed lately. Thanks, Kate!
Becky | The Cookie Rookie says
What a fabulous idea for a roundup! Thanks so much for including my avocado chocolate mousse!!
Andi says
I HAVE to try that, Becky!! Thanks!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says
What a lovely surprise to see my strawberry salad this morning! Thank you for including my recipe! And these all are calling my name…but that coconut flour waffle. Happening this weekend! My hubby and I love making waffles or pancakes to celebrate the weekend together!
Andi says
I bet you make a mean breakfast on the weekends, Meg. I need to come over ;) Thank you!
Britt @ screwed on straight says
Thanks for the shoutout and the link to my peanut butter cup fat bombs! Good luck on your journey. Your blog is beautiful :)
Andi says
Thank you so much, Britt! I really appreciate it!
Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy says
Love all these low carb recipes! Pinned! Great roundup, Kirsten!
Andi says
Thank you! xo
Lori says
Nice collection, for those watching the carbs, this offers a lot of opportunities.
Andi says
Maybe with recipes like these I could actually survive a day without carbs ;) Thank you, Lori!
Beth says
I guess I can go low carb and still eat good food :)
Andi says
I’m still not totally convinced, but these recipes definitely look amazing. Maybe Kirsten is onto something with this low carb thing ;)
Andi says
That’s what they tell me, but I’m still suspicious ;) Thanks, Beth!