From cauliflower pizza to cauliflower rice, cauliflower is here to stay—and for good reason! One cup of chopped cauliflower has only 27 calories, with 2 grams of fiber and 2 g of protein.
Cook up a spaghetti squash or two and use it as a substitute for any pasta dish, or use half noodles and half spaghetti squash. Remember to pair it with other colorful vegetables and protein for a balanced meal.
Mix a quarter to one-half of an avocado into any smoothie for a creamy, silky treat (you can't taste the avocado), add sliced avocado to a salad or make guacamole for a snack. Avocados are also delicious on tacos, in tuna salad and in egg salad.
Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable, along with broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and kale. Cruciferous vegetables contain potent phytonutrients that can help fight off cancer and reduce inflammation. And with only 22 calories and 5 g of total carbs per cup, cabbage is diabetes- and weight-loss-friendly.
One cup of sliced zucchini has only 19 calories and 3.5 g of total carbohydrates. "It has a neutral taste that easily adapts to other more flavorful ingredients—both sweet and savory. You can grate it into oatmeal, add it to a smoothie or sub it for pasta," says Rosen.
If you're looking for one of the lowest-calorie vegetables, romaine lettuce has only 8 calories per cup. The downside is that it is pretty low in fiber too, with just 1 g per cup. You can also use romaine hearts for lettuce wraps and to add crunch to sandwiches.