Tired of Cauliflower? Here Are Low-Carb Alternatives

Cauliflower is a fantastic vegetable. This cruciferous vegetable is low in carbohydrates and high in vitamin c, folate, and fiber.¹

Due to its low carbohydrate and calorie content, cauliflower is an excellent vegetable option for those with type 2 diabetes. It is a versatile and healthy ingredient, but do you ever get tired of seeing it in so many products and recipes?

Cauliflower-based food products for type 2 diabetes

If you live with type 2 diabetes, you likely monitor your carbohydrate or calorie intake to a certain degree. Many type 2 diabetes-friendly recipes recommend using cauliflower to replace wheat, bread, or rice, which contain more carbohydrates and calories than cauliflower.

For example, a cup of white rice contains about 200 calories and 45 grams of carbohydrates, while a cup of riced cauliflower contains 25 calories and 5 grams of carbohydrates.

Cauliflower cuts the carbs

Cauliflower is used to make pizza crust, fried rice, and vegetarian chicken wings. This versatile veggie replaces potatoes in potato salad, mashed potatoes, and tater tot recipes.

If you're out grocery shopping, you might see products like pasta, tortillas, and even gnocchi made from cauliflower. Using cauliflower in these different applications dramatically reduces calorie and carbohydrate content. In addition, cauliflower adds more nutrients and fiber to dishes.

Feeling cauliflower burnout? Same.

We can all agree that cauliflower is wonderful, low-carb, low-calorie option, but it's alright to admit that you're tired of this cruciferous vegetable.

Cauliflower can have a strong flavor and odor and tastes different from regular white rice or a flour tortilla. For some people, cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, and cabbage can cause stomach discomfort, bloating, and gassiness. I personally enjoy cauliflower but get tired of it if I consume too many products and recipes with it.

If you are experiencing cauliflower burnout and live with type 2 diabetes, you might find that it is difficult to sift through recipes and find one that doesn't include cauliflower. If you are cooking for yourself at home, it is much easier to switch out cauliflower and opt for other low-carb veggies and ingredients.

Great alternatives to cauliflower

There are other foods aside from cauliflower you can choose in your cooking if you are experiencing cauliflower burnout. Broccoli is another nutrient-dense, low-carb veggie that you can use instead of cauliflower to make pizza crust or spicy "wings."

You can use parsnips and turnips in place of potato-based recipes. Almond flour and flax seeds can craft pizza crust and bread. Are you looking for a low-carb pasta option? Try lentil pasta or hearts of palm pasta.

Adjust portion sizes of other foods

Having smaller portions of high carbohydrate and calorie foods may be a solution. Some people with type 2 diabetes may be able to tolerate half of a baked potato or whole wheat crust on a pizza.

Using a moderate amount of brown rice instead of cauliflower rice could be an option for you. Another alternative is not solely using cauliflower but creating a half cauliflower, half whole wheat pizza crust.

Do you eat cauliflower often? Let us know in the comments!