Low Carb Food List
There are many low carb diets that people follow today including Atkins,
Paleo, Primal and more. These diet plans have been proven healthy, efficient, and once you get used to them, easy to follow though they have
differences. When just starting out, it can be difficult to find the right foods to meet your needs each meal. Below is a great low carb food list that you can take to the store and follow to get what you need to ensure you’re getting all the nutrients you require, without too many carbs.
Remember – It’s Low, Not No Carbs
One of the first things to keep in mind with any low carb diet is that you will require some carbs. The total number will vary from person to person, but carbs are essential for a healthy body. The carbs you eat should come from fruits and vegetables rather than grains and added sugars. If you’re trying to shed excess fats, you will want to keep the total carb count low, which will mean cutting out potatoes and even reducing fruits. If you are happy with your weight, and you just want to improve your health, you can have slightly more carbs each day, as long as they come from healthy sources.
Low Carb Food List
So, without further ado, let’s get right into the low carb food list. The list is broken down into categories to help make it easier when shopping.
Low Carb Meats
Virtually all meat is going to be low carb, and will most likely be the main portion of your daily caloric intake. The following are excellent meat options:
- Beef
- Lamb
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Pork
- Bacon (make sure it does not have sugar added)
- Veal
- Venison
- Bison
- Rabbit
- Salmon
- Trout
- Sardines
- Shellfish
- Shrimp
- Haddock
- Lobster
- Herring
- Tuna
- Cod
- Catfish
- Halibut
Low Carb Vegetables
Vegetables are an absolute necessity when following a low carb diet. They will help provide you with the necessary vitamins and other nutrients you need for your body to run well. Here are some great options:
- Broccoli
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Brussels Sprouts
- Kale
- Eggplant
- Cauliflower
- Cucumber
- Bell Peppers (red, green, yellow, orange)
- Asparagus
- Green Beans
- Mushrooms
- Celery
- Spinach
- Zucchini
- Swiss Chard
- Cabbage
- Lettuce
Berries and Fruits
Fruits and berries are going to have far more carbs in them than meat, vegetables or other items on this list. They also contain a ton of healthy vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and more. Also, since the carbs are in the form of all natural sugars, they can be a healthy part of a low-carb diet. Just make sure to eat them in moderation. Also, if you’re trying to drop pounds, cut down on fruit.
- Avocado (Yes, this is a fruit, but it has very few carbs so you can enjoy it anytime. They are full of many health benefits)
- Olives (this is another low-carb fruit. Add this to your diet!)
- Strawberries (Strawberries are only 8% carbs, making them one of the lowest for fresh fruit)
- Grapefruit
- Apricots
- Lemons
- Kiwi
- Oranges
- Mulberries
- Raspberries
Nuts and Seeds
Most nuts and seeds are high in nutrients and low in carbs. They can also provide you with many excellent health benefits that can improve your life in many ways. Just make sure that you’re not getting ‘honey roasted’ or some other type of roasted nuts that are full of added sugar. Whether you eat them raw or cooked in olive oil, the following are great nuts and seeds to add to your diet:
- Almonds
- Walnuts
- Peanuts
- Chia Seeds
- Hazelnuts
- Macadamia Nuts
- Cashews
- Coconuts
- Pistachios
- Flax Seeds
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Sunflower Seeds
Dairy Foods
Dairy can be another excellent option for low-carb foods. Just keep in mind that some of the low carb diets forbid dairy foods. In general, you will find that the full-fat dairy options have far fewer carbs, so if you do choose foods in this category, make sure you go with the full-fat versions.
- Cheese
- Heavy Cream
- Yogurt
- Greek Yogurt
- Butter
Oils & Fats
Oil and fat have gotten a bad rap in years past, but when eaten with a low carb diet it has been shown that they can be a very healthy option, as long as you choose the right ones.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Lard
- Tallow
- Avocado Oil
Drinks
You won’t be stuck just drinking water if you are on a low carb diet. There are plenty of great beverages that you can enjoy without ruining your diet.
- Water
- Coffee (NO SUGAR! Add heavy cream if needed)
- Tea (Again, No Sugar!)
- Club Soda
- Whole Milk (limited amounts)
- Almond Milk (no sugar added)
Eggs
Eggs are so good that they get a category all to themselves. Many call
eggs the perfect food. Think for a moment that the egg contains everything that a baby animal needs to go from one cell to a full baby animal with nothing else needed. This is quite impressive. Eggs should be added to your diet as a great source of
protein and many other great nutrients.
Mix it Up
One of the most important things about any low-carb diet is to make sure you are diversifying your meals. Eating meat, vegetables, fruits, nuts and other items as part of your daily food choices is going to help ensure you get all the nutrients you need for a balanced life.
