10 Best Low-Carb Foods of October – Here’s to a Healthy Fall & Winter

The leaves are turning bright colors and falling off the trees. The weather is getting cooler each day and the nights are getting downright cold. CarbSmart looks at some of the best seasonal foods you can get in October.

Celeriac

Celeriac, or celery root, is a variety of celery that’s grown for its crisp, knobby root, rather than for its stalks and leaves. Once peeled, you’ll find flesh that’s nutty, sweet, and full of a delicate celery flavor. Like other winter-root vegetables, celeriac is hearty and versatile and can be prepared in a variety of ways.  It can be boiled, braised, roasted, or eaten raw. It’s delicious simmered in soups and stews, and wonderful roasted with meats.

Read more about Celeriac – The Versatile Vegetable for Low-Carb Maintenance by Vanessa Romero.

Chard

Swiss Chard Rainbow by eflon

Chard is a leafy green vegetable with only one gram of carbs per cup. The leaf can be green or reddish in color and chard has been bred to have highly nutritious leaves at the expense of the root. Try sautéed chard as a side dish, added to an omelet, or even in a smoothie.

Rutabaga

Purchase Rutabaga seeds from Amazon.com

The rutabaga is a root vegetable that is closely related to turnips. Though similar in appearance, rutabagas are larger and sweeter than turnips. One cup of raw, chopped rutabaga is just 3 net grams of carbohydrates. Like other root veggies, rutabaga is great roasted. If you’re feeling adventurous, try rutabaga fries or even rutabaga in a creamy Alfredo sauce!

Pistachios

Purchase Wonderful Pistachios from Amazon.com

Pistachios are a nutrient-dense little treat. With lots of healthy fat and more antioxidant power per 100 grams than blueberries, this little nut packs a healthy punch. Pistachios can be used in all sorts of dishes, from entrées to desserts or just enjoyed raw for a tasty snack.

Grass-fed Lamb

Grass-fed lamb is a significant source of omega-3 fats. Lamb is commonly included as a meat consumed in Mediterranean diets, which have repeatedly been shown to help lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Enjoy it roasted, in stews, or even on the grill.

Try our grass-fed lamb recipe Easy Low Carb Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Cooking: Lamb Shawarma Recipe.

Here are some great low-carb lamb recipes.

Mussels

Photo by Alana Harris on Unsplash

Nothing is more delectable than a big plate of steamed or poached mussels with a tomato-based sauce or a garlic butter sauce. Mussels are not only healthy, low carb, low calorie, and high in protein, but the method of farming them is environmentally-sound which makes them a healthy, renewable, food choice.

Pomegranate

Photo by Marta Jastrzebska on Unsplash

Pomegranate, often called a “superfruit,” is a nutritionally rich fruit with a unique flavor and many health promoting characteristics. While delicious eaten fresh, pomegranate can be used in salads, drinks, or roasted with veggies or meat. The juice can be used in sauces and soups. Fresh pomegranates are only found in the fall, so don’t miss out on this super fruit!

Quince

Photo by Alexander Schimmeck on Unsplash

The ancient Greeks believed that the quince was a gift from Aphrodite the goddess of love. This amazing fruit is in the same family as apples and pears. It is rich in dietary fiber, antioxidants, vitamin C, and even has anti-viral properties. Although commonly used in preserves, quince can be used in everything from appetizers to entrees to desserts. If you plan to eat it fresh, just remember to remove the skin first!

Turnips

By thebittenword.com – https://www.flickr.com/photos/galant/2622027467/, CC BY 2.0, Link

The turnip is a root vegetable with a very healthy reputation. Just one whole turnip is low in calories and has only 5.8 net grams of carbs. Turnips are a rich source of potassium and vitamin C. They can be used in place of potatoes, roasted with meat and other vegetables, made into a tasty soup, or mashed with butter and a little crispy bacon.

Read more about Turnips by Amy Dungan.

Delicata Squash

Delicata Squash is a pale yellow winter squash with dark green stripes. Like the other winter squashes, the Delicata has a sweet taste and a creamy texture. However, it is far easier to clean and cut. Its long, lean shape makes slicing a breeze. Whether you plan to roast it with olive oil and salt or bake it into squash bread, you will delighted by the taste and the ease of the Delicata.

Read more about Delicata Squash – A Treat for Fall and Winter Meals by Vanessa Romero.