Low-carb tortillas are a traditional Mexican flatbread that have been prepared from ingredients that are low in carbohydrates. Individuals who are on restricted-carbohydrate diets use low-carb tortillas in traditional Mexican dishes like tacos or burritos, but may also use them in non-Mexican dishes. The ingredients used in low-carb tortillas vary by manufacturer, but often include a combination of flours that are naturally low in carbohydrates, such as soy flour. The carbohydrate count in these tortillas also varies by manufacturer, though one commercial boasts that its small tortillas contain only 10 grams of carbohydrates per tortilla and that 7 of these grams are fiber, which can typically be subtracted from a carbohydrate count due to the fact that fiber usually does not affect blood sugar in the same way as many other carbohydrates.
Tortillas are typically made from wheat or corn flour, making them relatively high in carbohydrates. A typical 7- or 8-inch (18- or 20-cm) tortilla contains around 24 grams of carbohydrates, of which only 1 might be fiber. This makes torillas incompatible with restricted-carbohydrate diets, as these diets typically limit dieters to 20-50 grams of carbohydrate per day. Low-carb tortillas, on the other hand, can be used by many people who are on these diets, provided that dieters don't overindulge. It should be noted that some people are extremely sensitive to any type of carbohydrate, including fiber, and may find that they cannot continue to lose weight or even maintain weight loss when consuming low-carb tortillas on a regular basis. It is up to each individual to pay attention to how his body reacts to foods that contain carbohydrate so as to determine whether it is something that he can tolerate.
Dieters may use low-carb tortillas for many types of dishes, including Mexican dishes such as tortilla soup or quesadillas. As tortillas are generally neutral in flavor, they can be used to create lower-carb versions of all types of recipes. Low-carb tortillas can be used as wraps for different types of sandwich fillings or sausages, something that many people on restricted-carbohydrate diets appreciate, as there is often a dearth of convenience foods available for the low-carb market. Other options include slicing the tortillas into wedges, brushing them with a bit of oil, and then baking them until they are crisp. These tortillas can then be used as lower-carb chips or crackers. Other common uses for large low-carb tortillas include using a tortilla as a tasty, crispy crust for homemade pizzas.