A List of Carb-Free Foods

Carbohydrates, more commonly referred to as carbs, provide the body with energy and come in many forms from simple to complex. Once a carb is ingested it is converted into either glucose for immediate energy or glycogen for energy storage. Glucose and glycogen provide approximately half of the body's energy, the other half comes primarily from fat. Foods rich in carbohydrates include vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains and milk. However, too much carbs will lead to fat accumulation. Following are foods to consider incorporating into your diet.

Carb-Free Foods

The only foods that do not contain carbohydrates or contain trace amounts are meats, pure vegetable oil and some meat alternatives (eggs). Sugar, fiber and starch are all carbohydrates and nearly every natural food contains one or more of them. A few low-fat, carb-free foods include egg whites, buffalo, yellowfin tuna, range-grazed beef and white meat turkey.

Low-Carb Foods

A much more reasonable and healthy approach is to eat healthy carbohydrate foods. Complex carbohydrate foods and high fiber foods provide energy, nutrients and an array of health benefits. The American Dietetic Association recommends 20 to 35 grams of dietary fiber per day. Healthy low-carb foods high in fiber include non-starchy vegetables, such as squash, carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, and green beans.

Carbohydrate Dietary Recommendation

Carbs are neither good nor evil. They must be consumed in a responsible manner. Diets that contain a balanced amount of complex carbohydrates (starch and fiber) help to prevent against diabetes, cancer, heart disease and gastrointestinal disorders. Simple sugars are never a good choice and instead of preventing against disease will promote disease. Dietary guidelines recommend at least six servings of grain products and five servings of vegetables and fruits per day.