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Despite what you may have heard, carbs aren’t bad for you. In fact, they’re one of the main nutrients that give you energy, and they’re essential to a well-rounded healthy diet, Abby Langer, R.D., tells SELF. But not all carbs are the same. Healthy or complex carbs are the kind you get from things like whole grains and fruits and vegetables. Because they’re paired with nutrients like fiber, they won’t give you an energy spike and crash like the refined carbs in things like white bread and pasta might.
If you’re interested in cutting carbs for weight loss purposes, first talk to your doctor to make sure it’s the right decision for you. Then, start by eliminating refined carbs and focusing on those healthy carbs instead. Because even if you are cutting carbs, Langer says you should never drop your daily carb intake to lower than 40 percent of your calories.
To figure out what that number is, multiply the amount of calories you eat per day by .40, then divide the product by four to account for the fact that there are four calories per gram of carbohydrate. The resulting figure is the amount of carbohydrate grams you need per day. But don’t blindly stick to that limit—track how your body is feeling and increase your carb intake as necessary. “The best way to really figure out how many carbohydrates you need is by how you feel,” says Langer. So if you’ve still got plenty of energy after you’ve reduced the amount of carbs your eating, stick with it. But if you’re suddenly exhausted, kick it back up a notch.
These 29 low-carb dinners rely on primarily on veggies and whole grains to deliver the carbs, and none of them contain more than 29 grams of carbs per serving. That’s well below the 50 to 75 grams Langer says many dinner recipes have, but not so low that they’re skimping on what your body needs.
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http://www.minimalistbaker.com1 Vegan Portobello Pizzas from Minimalist Baker
You can still indulge in your favorites while being healthy as long as you get creative. By subbing a portobello for pizza crust, you get a dinner that’s 165 calories and 15 grams of carbs. Get the recipe here.
Per one mushroom: 165 calories, 15 g carbs
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Jenny Valiant2 Chipotle Fish Tacos from SELF
We could eat these spicy fish tacos every single day. Get the recipe here.
Per three tacos: 353 calories, 25 g carbs
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http://www.amuse-your-bouche.com3 30-Minute Saag Paneer from Amuse Your Bouche
As good as Indian takeout, but way, way faster and low-carb. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 384 calories, 16 g carbs
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https://www.self.com4 Kiwi, Chicken and Feta Salad from SELF
This fun, fruity salad, is sweet, salty, and hearty thanks to kiwi, feta, and chicken respectively. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 314 calories, 18 g carbs
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https://www.cottercrunch.com5 Cinnamon-Chipotle Baked Pork Chops from Cotter Crunch
Cinnamon and chipotle together give this one-pan pork chop dinner serious mole vibes. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 230 calories, 13 g carbs
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https://www.foodfaithfitness.com6 Curry-Cashew Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner from Food Faith Fitness
Coating the chicken in cashews rather than breadcrumbs cuts down on carbs and increases the protein. Double win! Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 364 calories, 18 g carbs
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7 Homemade Gnocchi With Pomodoro Pasta from Inspiralized
Instead of using regular potatoes, Inspiralized makes this gnocchi with sweet potatoes. The results are slightly sweeter and totally amazing. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 248 calories, 24 g carbs
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https://www.joyfulhealthyeats.com8 BBQ Chicken Zucchini Boats from Joyful Healthy Eats
Zucchini isn’t just great in noodle form—it’s also great in boat form! Especially when topped with spicy buffalo chicken. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 212 calories, 19 g protein
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https://minimalistbaker.com/9 Portobello Steaks With Avocado Chimichurri from Minimalist Baker
These “steaks” actually taste surprisingly like meat, thanks to mushrooms naturally meaty texture. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 360 calories, 12 g carbs
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https://pinchofyum.com10 Green Curry from Pinch of Yum
If you really want to kick this curry up a notch, Pinch of Yum suggests topping it with golden raisins (which will up the carb count a little, FYI) and fish sauce (which won’t). Also note that the nutrition information doesn’t include the rice. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 380 calories, 19 g carbs
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https://www.primaverakitchen.com11 Ground Beef Veggie Skillet from Primavera Kitchen
Packed with veggies like bell peppers and zucchini and lots of beef, this skillet will keep you full for ages. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 261 calories, 9 g carbs
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https://www.primaverakitchen.com12 Chicken Zucchini Enchilada from Primavera Kitchen
Even though there aren’t any tortillas in this enchilada casserole, it has all the same flavors you know and love. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 154 calories, 6 g carbs
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https://www.skinnytaste.com13 Asian Beef Zoodle Soup from SkinnyTaste
This cozy bowl of zoodles is all you’re going want to eat this winter. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 241 calories, 20 g carbs
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https://www.skinnytaste.com/14 Chicken and Shrimp Larb from SkinnyTaste
Think of this shrimp and chicken number as surf and turf on a budget. It tastes great in lettuce wraps or over rice. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 220 calories, 5 g carbs
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https://therealfoodrds.com15 Italian Harvest Soup from The Real Food Dietitians
Packed with spicy Italian sausage and earthy vegetables like kale, mushrooms, and potatoes, this soup is so satisfying, yet still low in carbs. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 230 calories, 23 g carbs
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https://www.foodfaithfitness.com/16 Southwest Tofu Scramble With Cauliflower Rice from Food Faith Fitness
This spicy tofu dinner also makes a great breakfast, especially with a fried egg on top. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 305 calories, 21 g carbs
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https://www.eatingbirdfood.com17 Spaghetti Squash Tuna Noodle Casserole from Eating Bird Food
Finally, a tuna noodle casserole that millenials can get behind. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 391 calories, 22 g carbs
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https://www.kimscravings.com/18 Salmon Avocado Burgers from Kim’s Cravings
Crab cakes are cool, but have you tried salmon burgers? With a garlic-basil mayo, these are totally irresistible. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 224 calories, 2 g carbs
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https://www.wellplated.com19 Apple Cider Chicken Skillet from Well Plated
Even if it’s not fall, this apple and chicken skillet is to die for and so easy to make! Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 286 calories, 21 g carbs
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https://therealfoodrds.com20 Brussels Sprouts Sweet Potato Hash from The Real Food Dietitians
Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, Italian sausage—this hash has all of our favorite things. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 246 calories, 16 g carbs
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Zach Desart21 Roasted Baby Bok Choy and Salmon With Miso Vinaigrette from SELF
This dinner is extra savory thanks to miso paste, an ingredient that’s packed with umami. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 314 calories, 4 g carbs
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https://www.wellplated.com22 Mustard Pork Tenderloin With Grilled Vegetables in Foil from Well Plated
Mustard adds a fiery kick to this tender pork dish. Cheesy veggies make an excellent side and the whole thing comes together quickly in a foil pack. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 366 calories, 16 g carbs
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https://www.eatingbirdfood.com23 Coconut-Curry Mussels With Zucchini Noodles from Eating Bird Food
You don’t need a special occasion for these simple curry mussels. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 279 calories, 9 g carbs
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https://fitfoodiefinds.com24 Grilled Chicken Fajita Kebabs from Fit Foodie Finds
These flavorful kebabs come together in only 30 minutes. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 216 calories, 13 g carbs
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25 Pad Thai Zoodles from The Iron You
Just as satisfying as actual pad thai, way more veggies. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 307 calories, 20 g carbs
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https://pinchofyum.com26 One-Pot Spicy Eggs and Potatoes from Pinch of Yum
This dish is like a cross between Middle Eastern shakshuka and Spanish patatas bravas, and it is amazing. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 282 calories, 13 g carbs
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https://cafedelites.com/27 Garlic-Herb Chicken and Sweet Potato from Cafe Delites
In addition to being healthy and delicious, you can make this whole meal on one sheet pan. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 373 calories, 17 g carbs
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https://www.twopurplefigs.com/28 Pesto-Pistachio Fish Fillet from Two Purple Figs
Nutty, lemony, tender—this fish is great by itself or paired with a side of grains or veggies. Get the recipe here.
Per one serving: 311 calories, 10 g carbs
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29 30-Minute Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps from Fit Foodie Finds
These deliciously seasoned chicken wraps are super fun to eat.
Per one serving: 309 calories, 18 g carbs
