The Vegetable Swap For Keto-Friendly Fries

There's a reason why fries are one of the most comforting, satisfying foods around. Crispy and salty on the outside with a slightly soft and starchy center, they can be topped with everything from cheese to meat or gravy. Of course, they're also perfectly tasty on their own. Whether they're oven baked, fried in oil, or air fried, this popular side dish is a crowd-pleaser.

But if you or someone you know is adhering to a keto diet, fries are off limits. That's because fries are usually made with potatoes which is a vegetable that contains too many carbs to be consumed on the keto diet. As outlined by Eating Well, potatoes are a starchy vegetable and as such, they contain a higher amount of carbohydrates than fiber. Luckily, there's another vegetable that you could substitute for potatoes that contains less carbs, yet remains a tasty and comparable replacement when made into fries.

Rutabaga - the perfect substitute

Rutabagas are a substitute for potatoes for those on a low-carb eating plan, such as the keto diet. As noted by Perfect Keto, rutabagas are a great swap for potatoes because they have a similar consistency to potatoes, but without the starchiness and added carbs. The consistency is comparable to potatoes, but what about one of the most important reasons to enjoy fries, for the flavor.

So, how does a rutabaga stack up against a potato with taste? If you've never tried a rutabaga, Oh So Foodie reports that when the vegetable is cooked, it has a flavor that is buttery, savory, and similar to that of a Yukon gold potato. According to a recipe by Feel Good Foodie, making rutabagas into oven fries is similar to cooking potato oven fries. With a lower carb count and a comparable consistency and flavor to potatoes, the next time you're hungry for fries, don't suppress it, grab a rutabaga and indulge in the craving.