The Atkins Diet Friends website points out that completely avoiding carbs is basically impossible. What's known as a no-carbs diet actually contains some carbohydrates, but in very small amounts. No-carb diets have a number of drawbacks, according to FitnessTipsForLife. They're not effective long-term, they are very restrictive and thus can be boring and end up being expensive.
Proteins
The main staple of a no-carb diet is protein. All types of fish, fowl, shellfish and red meats are acceptable. People with high cholesterol or other health issues should talk to their doctor about how much saturated fat they should allow in their diet. Controlling the amount of red meat and focusing on leaner proteins might be a better idea. Eggs in any style are also acceptable. According to Atkins.com, cheddar, parmesan and goat cheese all contain less than 0.3 g of carbs per 1-oz. serving. Other dairy products, including milk, contain too many carbs to be included in a no-carb diet.
Vegetables
Fruits are out in a no-carb diet because they all contain carbs. Vegetables, on the other hand, are much lower in carbs. In fact, many of them have close to zero carbs. According to Atkins.com, examples of veggies that contain less than 1 g of carbs per serving include arugula, endive, escarole, parsley, chives, lettuce, spinach radicchio and chicory greens.
Miscellaneous
Herbs and spices contain no carbs so they can be used to flavor dishes. This only applies to pure herbs. Spices that have been mixed or combined might have sugar added, so it's important that you read the label before choosing a salad or meat spice mix. Caesar salad dressing usually has less than 1 g of carbs per serving, but other dressings tend to be higher in carbs and sugar. Oils, butter and artificial sweeteners have no carbs and can be used as well.
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