The 10 Best Veggies to Spiralize if you're Looking to Shed Pounds

For many, veggies have long been regarded as dinner’s sidepiece. That is, until the spiralizer made it possible and trendy to spin everything from zucchini to broccoli (yeah, broccoli!) into the foundation of a satisfying meal.

Read on for the best veggies to spiralize if you're looking to shed a few pounds and easy, nutritionist-approved ways to whip up those veggie noodles tonight (and the next night, and the next).

Zucchini:

Why: "With roughly 20 calories per cup, zucchini linguine is the perfect addition to a weight-loss menu," says Joy Bauer, R.D.N., author of From Junk Food to Joy Food: All the Foods You Love to Eat… Only Better. That's because it’s packed with filling fiber, so you feel satisfied for less calories.

Try: After spiralizing your zuchs, sauté them in a pan with garlic powder and onion powder for a couple minutes. Then, top with your favorite turkey meatballs (like these from Bauer's book) and marinara.

Yellow Squash:

Why: "Yellow squash is terrific for people looking to cut back on calories and carbs," says Bauer. This veg has five grams of fiber per two cups and will help you stay full, curb cravings, and, well, keep you regular, she says.

Try: Sauté one medium sliced onion, 3/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 3/4 teaspoon of ground ginger. Cook for one to two minutes, then add 2 teaspoons of sesame oil and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce. Add pepper to taste and hot sauce, if desired. Finally, toss in your noodles.

Sweet Potatoes:

Why: Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet (hence the name) and can keep you from overeating thanks to that filling fiber, says Kara Lydon, R.D., author of Nourish Your Namaste and founder of The Foodie Dietitian Blog.

Try: Bake spiralized sweet potatoes at 400 degrees for 25 minutes. Serve with salt and pepper for a healthier version of shoestring fries. (Get to your goal weight faster with the Women's Health Body Clock Diet.)

Carrots:

Why: Carrots are sweet and starchy without being high in calories and carbs, like pasta, says Bauer. 

Try: Sauté 1 to 2 cups of carrot noodles with 1 to 2 teaspoons of whipped butter, which has less calories than regular, and a dash of cinnamon for eight to 10 minutes. 

Beets :

Why: Beets are a great source of (you guessed it) fiber. And they’re low in calories and taste great, says Bauer. "That makes them a great addition to any weight-loss plan," she says.

Try: Spread beet noodles on a baking sheet. Roast at 400 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes until noodles are tender. Let them cool at room temperature, then toss with crumbled goat cheese, toasted walnuts, 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste.

Butternut Squash:

Why: "This root vegetable is a nutrition powerhouse and a solid source of fiber," says Lydon. Plus, nothing says, "Hey, fall! I missed you!" like butternut squash. Yum.

Try: For comfort food that won't leave you bloated, sauté spiralized butternut squash "noodles" with olive oil and sage, then top with toasted walnuts and shaved pecorino romano.

Cucumbers:

Why: Cucumbers are made up of 95 percent water with only 40 calories per cuke. So it's the perfect low-calorie, hydrating snack when the 4 p.m. muchies hit, says Bauer.

Try: Toss spiralized cucumber noodles with 1 cup of sliced white onion, 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped dill, 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar, and sea salt and pepper to taste.

Kohlrabi:

Why: Never heard of it? This veggie's texture is somewhere between a cabbage and a broccoli stem, which makes it perfect for a hearty meal. "This is a great alternative to for pasta night because it's low in calories and high in fiber, which will keep you satisfied until bedtime," says Lydon.

Try: Sauté spiralized kohlrabi with olive oil, garlic, lemon, white wine, and salt and pepper. Then, top it off with grilled shrimp and fresh tomatoes for a healthier shrimp scampi.

Broccoli Stalks:

Why: "The fiber found in broccoli provides digestive support by protecting the health of our stomach lining and regulating gut bacteria," says Bauer. And healthy gut bacteria can fight bloating and keep your digestive system on track (which is always good, right?).

Try: The key to spiralizing broccoli is using the long stalks, not the heads (just FYI). After turning your stalks into noods, steam or sauté the broccoli pasta, and toss it with your favorite pesto or red sauce. Then, top with diced tomatoes and freshly chopped basil.

Red Cabbage: 

Why: "Red cabbage is bursting with antioxidants, which may help reduce inflammation in the body," says Lydon. And that's great news since studies show that abdominal obesity is associated with chronic inflammation, she says. Though it sounds weird, spriralizing one of these babies is easier than you think!

Try: Mix spiralized red cabbage, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and green onions for a healthy coleslaw alternative.