List of low carb foods

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Low carbohydrate (often referred to as "low-carb") foods have emerged at the forefront of various dietary approaches targeting weight loss, blood sugar management, and overall metabolic health. This article provides an in-depth exploration of low-carb foods, their types, associated benefits, and their application in popular diet regimens.

Broccoli.jpg

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Carbohydrates stand as one of the primary macronutrients and are prevalent in many staple foods. However, due to escalating concerns such as obesity and diabetes, there's a growing interest in diets that curtail carbohydrate consumption. Such diets necessitate an in-depth knowledge of carbohydrate foods.

Definition[edit | edit source]

Low carbohydrate foods are typically characterized by their diminished carbohydrate content relative to their weight or serving size. They frequently have a higher content of fats, proteins, or both.

Types of Carbohydrates[edit | edit source]

  • Sugars: Naturally present in fruits and milk but are also added to various packaged items, including sodas.
  • Starches: Found in grains, starchy vegetables like potatoes, as well as in dried beans, lentils, and peas.
  • Fiber: Originating from plants, fiber isn't digested by the body but aids in maintaining bodily health. Notably, while sugars and starches can elevate blood sugar, fiber does not.

Types of Low-Carbohydrate Foods[edit | edit source]

Proteins:

  • Meats: beef, lamb, pork, chicken, etc.
  • Fish: salmon, trout, tuna, etc.
  • Eggs: particularly the whites, which are rich in protein.

Dairy:

  • Cheese: cheddar, mozzarella, brie, among others.
  • Greek yogurt and select regular yogurts.

Non-starchy Vegetables:

Fats and Oils:

  • Butter and cream.
  • Oils: olive, coconut, and avocado.

Nuts and Seeds:

Benefits of Low Carbohydrate Foods[edit | edit source]

  • Weight Management: Reducing carb intake and substituting it with proteins and fats can result in a more satisfying diet with decreased calorie consumption.
  • Blood Sugar Regulation: Such diets prove advantageous for individuals with type 2 diabetes, often manifesting considerable benefits.
  • Heart Health:
  • Improved Triglycerides: Associated with better heart health metrics.
  • Increased HDL Cholesterol: The reputed 'good' cholesterol frequently elevates on a low-carb diet JN.

Potential Risks and Considerations[edit | edit source]

When transitioning to a low-carb diet:

  • Nutrient Deficiency: Extremely low-carb diets can lead to a shortfall in essential nutrients unless meticulously planned.
  • Transition Phase: Embarking on a low-carb regimen can induce temporary side effects, often termed the "keto flu."

Applications in Popular Diets[edit | edit source]

  • Ketogenic Diet: An intense low-carb, high-fat approach.
  • Atkins Diet: Begins with very low-carb phases, progressing to more flexible carbohydrate consumption stages.
  • Low-Carb Paleo: A variation of the paleo regimen that emphasizes reduced carb sources.

This list of common foods with their nutritional information, with the focus on their usefulness on a low carbohydrate and ketogenic diet sorted in alphabetic list. Please use the page search (Control F) and search for the item you are interested in as these pages can be long.

Choose the letter below

What is a low carb food?[edit | edit source]

Any food that has carbohydrates or starches in relatively lower quantity per serving, usually less than 20 grams of net carbohydrates are considered to be low carb foods.

What is ketogenic diet?[edit | edit source]

Ketogenic diets are extremely low or to very little carbs, usually less than 5 net carbs per serving.

What is the difference between low carb and keto?[edit | edit source]

Keto is extremely low carb.

What are net carbs?[edit | edit source]

Net carbs = total carbs minus fiber

The world's largest collection of keto-friendly and low-carb foods.
Ketogenic foods Ketogenic diet - W8MD's liquid diet plan - keto friendly foods - Keto foods list - High protein foods
Low-carb Low carb foods - Breads and cereals - Fruits & vegetables - Dairy - Eggs and meats - Baked foods - Low carb fast foods
A-Z keto Keto friendly recipes (over 20k)
Vegan Vegan recipes - Branded foods
By restaurant Keto friendly restaurant foods - McDonalds - Starbucks - Chick Fil A - Taco Bell - Wendys - Dunkin Donuts - Burger King
By meal Breakfast - lunch - snacks - desserts - dinners - sea food - salads - soups - exotic - bone broth - Keto soups
By ingredients Keto ingredients - Eggs - Chicken - Beef - Pork - Rice - Bacon - Bread - Dairy - Fruit - Pasta - Seafood - Mushroom - Vegetable - More...
By Category
Cuisine
keto foods

Cuisines

list

By time

This article is a stub.

You can help WikiMD by registering to expand it.
Editing is available only to registered and verified users.
WikiMD is a comprehensive, free health & wellness encyclopedia.

WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD