If the first thing you think of when you hear 'low carb' is a plate of steamed broccoli and chicken breast or a sad salad, you're not alone. Low-carb meals can be as dry and bland as cardboard.
But there are easy ways to make low carb meals delicious, promise -- add spices, herbs and cheese, and be creative in the way you cook veggies and protein.
Don't believe us? Try these eight easy, satisfying low-carb meals. And they're not salad.
1. Creamy mushroom and leek chicken breasts
From Foodie Crush.
Combining chicken, ombre coloured leeks and earthy brown mushrooms, this creamy 30-minute low-carb meal is tasty, easy and perfect for meal prepping. And it's one-pan, so there's little mess.
2. Spaghetti squash pasta with pesto
From Minimalist Baker.
Although wheat pasta may be off the menu on a low-carb diet, spaghetti squash is here to help. When cooked, the fibrous strands of the squash resemble spaghetti. Then all you need to do is top with fresh cashew, pine nut and sun-dried tomato basil pesto.
3. Vegetarian zucchini noodles spirals
From A Saucy Kitchen.
This low-carb lasagna uses zucchini slices, which are rolled and filled with spinach, ricotta, Parmesan, mozzarella and a chunky homemade marinara sauce. Top with more cheese and bake until golden.
4. Veggie frittata with queso cheese sauce and rocket
From How Sweet Eats.
Frittatas are an easy, delicious way to eat low carb but not sacrifice flavour. This recipe uses prosciutto, mushrooms and asparagus with eggs and a creamy cheese sauce, with fresh rocket served on top.
5. Chicken pho with zucchini noodles
From The Healthy Maven.
Get your pho fix with this flavourful, healthy chicken zucchini noodle soup, packed with veggies, herbs and spices. Zucchini plays the role of noodles in this dish, so you can still have a winter warmer without the carbs.
6. Low carb vegan shepherd's pie
From Delicious Everyday.
'Carby' pie is still on the low carb menu by way of cauliflower -- the cruciferous veggie masquerading as rice and potato since 2015. This delicious, hearty shepherd's pie uses mushrooms in place of meat, along with herbs and veggies. The pie is then topped with creamy herb cauli mash and baked until golden.
7. No noodle pad Thai
From Cookie and Kate.
This Thai favourite can still be a low carb meal -- just sub the rice noodles for julienne veggies. The pad Thai is then tossed with a creamy, zesty peanut sauce and served with tofu (or your protein of choice). And it only takes 30 minutes from start to finish.
8. Orange-spiced salmon with spaghetti squash
From Foodie Crush.
Spaghetti squash comes to the low-carb rescue again, but this time paired with flavour-packed salmon. To give the fish a sweet, zesty flavour, use a combination of five-spice powder, orange zest and dijon mustard.
Click below to subscribe to the Refresh podcast by HuffPost Australia on iTunes.
ALSO ON HUFFPOST AUSTRALIA