The keto diet is one of the most popular diets for weight loss and fat burning, yet also one of the hardest to stick to because of how restrictive it can sometimes be.
Followers of the diet would know the importance of consuming extremely low levels of carbohydrates to ensure that the body is able to maintain a state of ketosis where the body’s fat reserves are being used for energy.
Given the restrictions, followers of the keto diet are often trying to find new and innovative ways to add variety to their diets while maintaining a low carbohydrate intake. One of the foods that should be in every keto diet is zucchini.
In this post, we examine why zucchini is uniquely suited to the keto diet and look at some popular zucchini recipes that will hopefully inspire you in the kitchen.
The Nutritional Benefits of Zucchini
The zucchini is a type of summer squash vegetable that looks almost like a cucumber and has an elongated, cylindrical shape. While it is generally found in green, zucchini can also be yellow. It generally has a mild flavor and a tender texture, and it can be eaten both raw and cooked.
Zucchini is a highly nutritious and tasty vegetable — containing plenty of vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, folates and much more.
Is Zucchini Good for the Keto Diet?
Zucchini is also low in both calories and carbohydrates, making it exceptionally suitable for individuals on a low-carb or keto diet. On average, 100 grams of zucchini contains just 3 to 4 grams of carbohydrates1, making it extremely keto-friendly since most followers of the keto diet typically aim to consume less than 50 grams of carbohydrates per day.
In addition, zucchini is a great source of dietary fiber, which can improve digestion and promote healthier bowel movements. The high amount of fiber that zucchini has also means that you’re more likely to feel full after consuming it, meaning that you’re less likely to have cravings and to snack in between meals.
At the same time, zucchini also has a high water content and it can help you stay hydrated, especially if you’re pairing your diet with workouts that cause you to sweat a lot.
Add Variety to Your Diet with Zucchini Pizza Crusts
Perhaps the easiest for you to incorporate zucchini into your diet is with KBosh’s Zucchini pizza crusts. Whether you opt for the regular Zucchini Keto Crusts or the Mexi Zucchini Keto Crusts, the possibilities are endless. Containing just 1 gram of net carbs and under 50 calories per crust, KBosh’s keto-friendly pizza crusts are great not just for pizzas but as delicious low-carb substitutes in quesadillas, wraps, tostadas and much more.
3 Quick and Easy Zucchini Recipes
With the numerous nutritional benefits of zucchini, you’re probably already thinking of ways that you can incorporate this great vegetable into your keto diet. Here are 3 quick and easy keto-friendly zucchini recipes that you can consider adding to your regular meal rotation:
1. Mini Sweet Pepper Pizza
This mini sweet pepper pizza recipe uses KBosh’s Zucchini Keto Crust and makes for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. It is also highly customizable and you can swap out any of the toppings that you don’t like with other keto-friendly options. For instance, if you’re not a fan of mozzarella, consider using some other keto-friendly cheeses such as blue cheese or parmesan.
2. Garden Fresh Turkey Wrap
KBosh’s Zucchini pizza crusts are also highly versatile and you can use them not only in low-carb pizzas but also as an alternative to flour tortillas in a wrap, such as in this garden-fresh turkey wrap recipe. This wrap is incredibly easy to prepare and you can easily make it in under 10 minutes, making it a great option for a nourishing lunch on a busy day.
3. Ratatouille
For something a little bit more complex, you can try your hand at making this ratatouille recipe. This vegetarian French classic is a great way to use a medley of summer vegetables without compromising on flavour. If you have friends or family members who are interested in starting on the keto diet but are worried about how restrictive it can be, this recipe is also a great way to show them that keto-friendly doesn’t have to mean bland or boring.
References
[1] fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169291/nutrients