Perhaps you’ve recently heard about the ketogenic diet, which has become incredibly popular in recent years, and are curious to find out which foods contain carbohydrates.

When first conducting research on the subject, figuring out which foods contain carbs and which don’t can feel like a mindfield.
With so many meat products on the market, you’re probably wondering if these contain carbohydrates
If you have indeed found yourself asking this question, we’ve got you covered.
Take a look below as we’ve created a brief guide of which foods are low carb friendly to get you started on your journey.
Low Carb Meats
If you’re a meat lover, you’ll be pleased to know that these foods don’t actually contain any carbohydrates.
This includes fish and poultry too. So, if you’re choosing to follow a low carb diet, you can still get the majority of your protein from meat products.
As always, don’t overdo it, and make sure that you’re eating heart-healthy choices like white fish.
The only thing that you need to watch out for with meat products is those that have been processed.
For example, some types of ham can have starch or sugar added into the mix.
In addition, sausages, which have also been processed, have bread mixed in with them, making them fairly high in carbs.
If you’re eating clean, unprocessed meat, you won’t experience any issues with carb consumption.
Low Carb Fats
If you’re following a low carb, or ketogenic diet, then it’s important that you get the majority of your calories from fats.
All fats which are pure are carb free, and so you don’t need to worry about how much butter you add to the pan whilst cooking.
Butter, margarine, shortening, and lard are all carb free.
We do recommend that you limit your intake of these less healthy fats, however, and opt to use healthy oils instead.
Extra virgin olive oil is an excellent choice, as well as coconut oil which is good for baking.
Low Carb Dairy Products
Dairy products tend to be very low in carbohydrates.
We’ve already touched upon low carb butters, but there’s a whole host of other low carb dairy products in addition to these.
One of the foods I’m sure many of you will be pleased to discover is low in carbs, is cheese.
Yes, that’s right, you can indulge in your favorite snack without needing to feel guilty.
So, you can go ahead and eat swiss, feta, parmesan, blue cheese, mozzarella and cheddar on the low carb diet.
Bear in mind that some cheeses can have things added to them which may make them higher in carbs.
For example, wensleydale cheese sometimes has cranberries added to the mix, which makes it high in carbs.
Take care to avoid milk on the keto diet, as the lactose content which gives milk its signature sweetness makes it high in carbs.
There are lots of dairy alternatives out there that you can purchase instead, like soya, almond, and coconut milk.
The same goes for yogurt too, as the lactose increases the number of carbs it contains.
Many yogurts also have sugar added in too to give them a fruity flavor.

If you are a yogurt lover though, don’t worry, there are lots of plant based alternatives on the market that you can buy to replace this product.
Low Carb Vegetables
There are plenty of healthy vegetables that you can eat on a low carb diet, primarily those which are green in color.
Broccoli, swiss chard, spinach, asparagus, alfalfa sprouts, brussel sprouts, and kale are all super low in carbohydrates.
Many of those following a low carb or ketogenic diet also eat a lot of cauliflower, which can be made into a rice that acts as a great alternative.
Make sure that you’re getting a healthy dose of these vegetables on your plate, and not just fats and protein.
There are also lots of low carb salad items that you can use too, such as cucumber, celery, iceberg lettuce, and tomatoes in small quantities.
These all act as a good accompaniment to your meat dishes.
In terms of which vegetables you should avoid, take care not to consume any potatoes or other root vegetables.
Essentially, any vegetable that grows below ground is not low carb friendly.
This includes winter squash, corn, peas, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash.
Low Carb Fruit
Most fruits are not actually low in carbohydrates because they contain lots of natural sugars.
If you are attempting to follow a low carb diet, then you should eliminate all fruits from your diet except for berries.
Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries are all accepted foods in this category.
You can blend them together and make a healthy smoothie for your morning breakfast.
Some of the fruits out there which have the highest carb content include mangoes, apples, figs, pineapples, and grapes.
Low Carb Nuts And Seeds
Nuts and seeds are a great way to increase your fat consumption on a low carb diet, whilst still eating healthily.
Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, pecans, almonds, and hazelnuts are all great sources of fat.
You can even buy some nut butters, which taste delicious in a smoothie or on a piece of low carb bread.
Final Thoughts
Those who are great lovers of meat products will be pleased to find out that they contain no carbohydrates.
Meat, poultry, and fish are all safe to consume on a low carb, or ketogenic diet.
Take care with certain meat products which have been processed, as they may contain additives that increase their carb content.
Eat plenty of meat on a low carb diet, balanced alongside healthy fats and green vegetables.
Extra virgin olive oil provides a good source of healthy fat, as well as nuts and seeds.
Green vegetables such as kale, spinach, and broccoli should also be consumed regularly to ensure a healthy and balanced diet.
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