Tesco has become the first retailer in the UK to launch a range of ready prepared vegetable substitutes for popular carbohydrates.

The launch follows growing success of the trend in Europe and the US, which involves blending or spiralising vegetables to create less calorific replacements for carbohydrates.

The new prepared vegetable range offers - Cauliflower Couscous, Carrot Spaghetti, and Courgette Ribbons (all retailing at £1). They will be available to buy in 235 Tesco stores across the UK.

Besides appealing to people wanting to cut down on carbs the new prepared vegetable range should also be of interest to shoppers on a gluten free diet. While the carrot spaghetti and courgette ribbons are a substitute for pasta the cauliflower couscous, which can bet eaten hot or cold, can be used as an alternative to rice and even mashed potato.

Tesco noted: “Creating vegetable substitutes for carbs such as potatoes, rice and pasta is really growing in popularity right now and not just for the diet conscious. It’s easy if you’ve got a decent food processor and spiraliser but not everybody has so we think these new ready prepared fresh vegetable packs will provide shoppers with a simple option for lowering their carb intake.”