Seasonal spring foods

It’s nearly spring time and aside from sunshine and longer days it also brings with it a variety of delicious seasonal foods. These foods are not only a tasty and healthy addition to any meal, but eating seasonally also helps you become more sustainable. Win – win! Here are all of the low carb friendly foods that will be in season over the coming months:

Fruits

Grapefruit 11g carbs/100g

With its bitter and citrusy taste, grapefruit is a great addition to fresh salads and dressings and it’s also delicious in smoothies.

Lemon 9g carbs/100g

Lemons are a great way to freshen up your meals, simply drizzle a little lemon juice over your salmon or use it in a salad dressing or marinade. It’s also a fun way to liven up your water.

Rhubarb 0.8g carbs/100g

A British staple that can be made into a delicious compote or used for a tasty low carb crumble.

Gooseberry 15g carbs/100g

Gooseberries are great on top of your breakfast yogurt bowl or cooked into a chutney to accompany your cheeseboard.

Tomatoes 3g carbs/100g

Although often considered a vegetable, tomatoes are actually fruits and are a staple in kitchens all over the world. From a simple tomato soup, to shakshukas or on top of a pizza, tomatoes are one of the most versatile fruits out there.

Vegetables

Asparagus 2g carbs/100g

Whether you add it to your frittata or lightly grill it as a side dish for your steak, asparagus has a great texture and subtle taste which goes with a variety of cuisines.

Aubergine 2.2g carbs/100g

Often used in Middle Eastern and Italian cuisine, you can either use aubergines as a base for a stew, to make a delicious dip, or roast it with other veggies.

Cabbage 4.1g carbs/100g

Cabbage might remind you of overcooked school meals, but when done right it can be a great accompaniment to any low carb meal. Simply sautée it with a bit of garlic and lemon and watch this vegetable get transformed into a flavour delight.

Cauliflower 4.4g carbs/100g

A low carb staple and overall superstar. Cauliflower can be used as a replacement for rice and mash, used to make low carb pizzas and grilled cheese sandwiches, or just roasted and enjoyed as a side dish for your Sunday roast.

Carrot 7.7g carbs/100g

Carrots are another great base for any soups or stews, but are also delicious grated and served with some lemon and garlic oil as a side dish, or spiralised to make carrot noodles.

Celeriac 2.3g carbs/100g

Another low carb superstar that deserves more attention. Whether you use it to make fries, mash or low carb hashbrowns, celeriac can help you keep the carbs at bay without compromising on taste.

Chicory 3.4g carbs/100g

Chicory is great in salads as it adds a delicious crunchy texture and nutty flavour.

Jerusalem artichoke 17g carbs/100g

Best served roasted, Jerusalem artichokes are great in salads or served as a side dish.

Lamb's Lettuce 1g carbs/100g

With its nutty and tangy flavour, lamb’s lettuce is a great base for your spring salads.

Radish 1.9g carbs/100g

Radishes are low in carbs and add a great crunchy texture to your side salads. They can also be pickled using apple cider vinegar, for a tasty snack or as a yummy addition to a low carb cheese board.

Spinach 1.6g carbs/100g

Packed full of iron, spinach is a nutritional powerhouse. You can eat it raw, sautéed or steamed as a side dish, mix it into home-made pasta sauces or blend it up in your low carb smoothies.

Spring Greens 3.1g carbs/100g

As the name suggests this vegetable is a quintessential springtime vegetable. Serve it sautéed with some grilled haddock. For an extra flavour kick add a drizzle of lemon juice before serving.

Watercress 0.4 carbs/100g

Most often used in soups or salads, watercress provides a ton of vitamins and minerals making it a real nutrition powerhouse.

Meat & seafood

Cod

Baked or made into low carb fish and chips, cod is a British favourite, packed full of healthy fats.

Crab

Crab is great in pasta dishes (use courgetti for a low carb version) but also delicious when made into crab cakes and served with your favourite veggies.

Halibut

Baked with some lemon and served with Mediterranean vegetables, halibut makes for a light yet delicious meal.

Kippers

With its smoky flavour kippers are great in salads, made into pâté or in low carb kedgeree.

Lamb

An Easter staple - lamb is a great alternative to a chicken or roast beed. Lamb chops are also delicious served with some chimichurri for a little spice kick.

Mackerel

Another often overlooked fish, mackerel is great in salads and can be either grilled or pan-fried.

Mussels

If you live by the seaside, then spring is a great time to try yourself at some mussels, which are especially tasty when cooked in some dry white wine and butter.

Pork

Although most often enjoyed in the form of a sausage, pork is another great alternative for your Sunday roast or can be made into pork meatballs, which is sure to be a hit with the whole family.

Salmon

Probably one of the most popular types of fish, salmon is great simply baked or roasted with some of your favourite veggies.

Tuna

Although often eaten canned, fresh tuna actually has a very meaty taste and is a great option for those who don’t usually like ‘fishy’ tasting fish.

Looking for recipes to use all of these delicious seasonal ingredients? Then join the Low Carb Program today to gain access to thousands of delicious recipe ideas.