Complete low carb foods list with 100+ options organized by category and net carb count. Science-backed choices for weight loss, keto, and blood sugar control.
Frequently Asked Questions
What foods are lowest in carbs?
Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, butter, and oils contain essentially zero carbohydrates. Non-starchy vegetables like spinach, zucchini, and cucumber typically have 2–4g net carbs per 100g. These are the foundation of any low-carb or ketogenic diet.
How many carbs per day is considered low carb?
Most nutrition researchers define a low-carb diet as fewer than 130g of total carbohydrates per day. A very low-carb or ketogenic diet restricts intake further to 20–50g per day. According to NIH StatPearls, this range reliably induces ketosis in most adults.
What vegetables are lowest in carbs?
The lowest-carb vegetables include spinach (1.4g net carbs per 100g), zucchini (2.1g), cucumber (2.2g), celery (1.4g), and romaine lettuce (1.2g). All non-starchy leafy greens are excellent choices, as they are also high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
What is the difference between total carbs and net carbs?
Net carbs = total carbohydrates minus dietary fiber. Fiber is not digested or absorbed by the body, so it has minimal impact on blood sugar. For high-fiber foods like avocado (8.5g total carbs, 6.7g fiber = 1.8g net carbs), the difference is significant.
Are beans low in carbs?
No. Most legumes are high in carbohydrates. Black beans contain 41g total carbs (26g net carbs) per 100g cooked. Lentils have 20g net carbs per 100g cooked. Edamame is lower at around 3g net carbs per 100g and is generally considered acceptable on a moderate low-carb diet.