15 Best Foods for a Low-Carb Diet
A low-carb diet typically restricts carbohydrates to under 130 grams per day, focusing instead on protein and healthy fats. This approach can support weight loss, improve blood sugar control, and reduce triglycerides. Here are the best low-carb foods to build your meals around.
The Rankings
Chicken Breast
Containing just 0.0g of carbs per 1 breast (172g), chicken breast is a great low-carb option that delivers 53.4g of protein and 6.2g of fat.
Salmon
Containing just 0.0g of carbs per 1 fillet (170g), salmon is a great low-carb option that delivers 28.0g of protein and 9.2g of fat.
Tuna
Containing just 0.0g of carbs per 1 can drained (165g), tuna is a great low-carb option that delivers 28.0g of protein and 1.0g of fat.
Ground Beef
Containing just 0.0g of carbs per 4 oz cooked (113g), ground beef is a great low-carb option that delivers 20.0g of protein and 17.0g of fat.
Turkey Breast
Containing just 0.0g of carbs per 3 oz (85g), turkey breast is a great low-carb option that delivers 30.0g of protein and 1.0g of fat.
Steak
Containing just 0.0g of carbs per 8 oz (227g), steak is a great low-carb option that delivers 26.0g of protein and 19.0g of fat.
Pork Chop
Containing just 0.0g of carbs per 1 chop (137g), pork chop is a great low-carb option that delivers 27.0g of protein and 13.0g of fat.
Lamb
Containing just 0.0g of carbs per 3 oz (85g), lamb is a great low-carb option that delivers 25.0g of protein and 17.0g of fat.
Cod
Containing just 0.0g of carbs per 1 fillet (180g), cod is a great low-carb option that delivers 18.0g of protein and 0.7g of fat.
Tilapia
Containing just 0.0g of carbs per 1 fillet (87g), tilapia is a great low-carb option that delivers 26.0g of protein and 2.7g of fat.
Sardines
Containing just 0.0g of carbs per 1 can (92g), sardines is a great low-carb option that delivers 25.0g of protein and 11.0g of fat.
Crab
Containing just 0.0g of carbs per 3 oz (85g), crab is a great low-carb option that delivers 16.0g of protein and 1.0g of fat.
Lobster
Containing just 0.0g of carbs per 1 cup (145g), lobster is a great low-carb option that delivers 27.0g of protein and 1.3g of fat.
Duck
Containing just 0.0g of carbs per 3 oz (85g), duck is a great low-carb option that delivers 24.0g of protein and 11.0g of fat.
Bison
Containing just 0.0g of carbs per 4 oz (113g), bison is a great low-carb option that delivers 28.0g of protein and 2.4g of fat.
Quick Comparison Table
Here is a side-by-side nutritional comparison of all the foods on this list:
| # | Food | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🍗 Chicken Breast | 284 | 53.4g | 0.0g | 6.2g | 0.0g |
| 2 | 🐟 Salmon | 208 | 28.0g | 0.0g | 9.2g | 0.0g |
| 3 | 🐟 Tuna | 132 | 28.0g | 0.0g | 1.0g | 0.0g |
| 4 | 🥩 Ground Beef | 247 | 20.0g | 0.0g | 17.0g | 0.0g |
| 5 | 🦃 Turkey Breast | 135 | 30.0g | 0.0g | 1.0g | 0.0g |
| 6 | 🥩 Steak | 271 | 26.0g | 0.0g | 19.0g | 0.0g |
| 7 | 🥩 Pork Chop | 231 | 27.0g | 0.0g | 13.0g | 0.0g |
| 8 | 🥩 Lamb | 250 | 25.0g | 0.0g | 17.0g | 0.0g |
| 9 | 🐟 Cod | 82 | 18.0g | 0.0g | 0.7g | 0.0g |
| 10 | 🐟 Tilapia | 128 | 26.0g | 0.0g | 2.7g | 0.0g |
| 11 | 🐟 Sardines | 208 | 25.0g | 0.0g | 11.0g | 0.0g |
| 12 | 🦀 Crab | 82 | 16.0g | 0.0g | 1.0g | 0.0g |
| 13 | 🦞 Lobster | 129 | 27.0g | 0.0g | 1.3g | 0.0g |
| 14 | 🦆 Duck | 201 | 24.0g | 0.0g | 11.0g | 0.0g |
| 15 | 🥩 Bison | 143 | 28.0g | 0.0g | 2.4g | 0.0g |
Calory makes tracking calories simple and beautiful. Download Now
Summary and Recommendations
The foods listed above represent some of the best choices for foods for low carb diet. Remember that no single food is a magic solution. The most effective approach is building a balanced diet that incorporates a variety of nutrient-dense foods. Use the Calory app to track these foods and see how they fit into your personalized nutrition plan. Whether you are just starting your health journey or fine-tuning an established routine, these foods provide the nutritional foundation for success.
Track your nutrition in Calory
Scan barcodes, search foods, or use AI-powered photo recognition. Calory makes calorie tracking effortless.