Carbohydrates are a type of macronutrient. When they are consumed, they are converted to glycogen and then used for immediate energy or stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles for later use. People who are on high protein diets or people who have diabetes monitor their carbohydrate intake and they resort to eating foods that are low in carbs.
Meats
Red meats are high in protein, fat and iron, and they have no carbs. Examples of these are steak, sirloin tips, beef flank, beef patties, veal and liver. Processed meats are also low in carbs. They include bacon, ham, sausage, cold cuts, hot dogs and porketta. Chicken, turkey, bison, duck, venison and eggs are other sources of protein that are also low in carbs. One large egg has approximately 3g of carbs.
Fish
All types of fish, seafood and shellfish are high in protein and low in carbs. Examples include salmon, talapia, cod, flounder, herring, mackerel, tuna, anchovies, sardines, clams, mussels, shrimp, oysters, crabs and lobster.
Dairy
Dairy products are high in calcium, protein and fat. All forms of milk and buttermilk have moderate amounts of carbs. All forms of cheese, sour cream and heavy cream are all low in carbs and butter has no carbs at all. Cottage cheese has 4g per 1/2 cup, heavy cream has .8g per 2 tbsp. and American cheese has 1g per ounce.
Vegetables
Vegetables are high in water content, vitamins, minerals and fiber. With a few exceptions, most vegetables are low in carbs. Examples of these are broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, cabbage, eggplant, zucchini, cucumbers, spinach and all forms of lettuce. Broccoli has just over 1g of carbs per 100 g portion, spinach has about 1.6g and cucumbers have about 1.5g.
Oils
Oils are used for dipping bread, for salad dressings and for sauteing vegetables. They are all high in fat and low in carbs. Examples of these are olive oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, soybean oil and sesame oil.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are high in protein, fiber and essential fats. They are also low in carbohydrates. Walnuts have approximately 1g of carbs per 2 tbsp., almonds have about 1.4g, peanuts have just under 2g, sunflower seeds have about 1.5g and pumpkin seeds have approximately 2.4 grams.
Alcohol
Alcohol has 7 calories per gram and some forms are low in carbs. Brandy, rum, gin and whiskey all have only a trace of carbs per 15 milliliters. White wine and dry sherry both have just over 1g per 100 milliliters.
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