People watch their carbohydrate intake for a variety of reasons, including controlling their blood sugar and weight. Knowing which foods contain carbs can make it easier for you to choose foods that fit into your diet plan. Carbohydrates are found primarily in foods of plant origin. Products containing less than one carbohydrate may be listed as carb free; read package labels carefully.
Protein
Protein sources from animals, including beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey and finned fish, contain no carbs. Some types of shellfish, such as lobster and crab, contain small amounts of carbs. Processed meat products, such as bacon or luncheon meats, may contain carbs. Eggs contain trace of carbs, but are usually permitted on most low or no-carb diets.
Fats
Fats such as olive oil or walnut oil contain no carbs. Mayonnaise without added sugar may contain a small amount of carbs. Most salad dressings contain carbs. Vinaigrette may contain added carbs, although a basic dressing of oil and vinegar does not.
Dairy and Cheese
When it comes to dairy products, there are no foods that are carb-free, with the exception of butter, which contains an extremely small amount of carbs. However, there are a number of foods that are very low in carbs, including heavy cream and some cheeses.
Beverages
Water contains no carbs. There are no carbs in unsweetened coffee, tea, tonic water, club soda or diet soda. Flavored waters may or may not contain carbohydrates.
Vegetables and Fruits
There are no carb-free vegetables or fruits. There are, however, some vegetables that contain very small amounts of carbs, including iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, watercress, turnip greens, mustard greens and endive.
Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are usually listed as having no carbs, but contain traces or carbohydrates in the form of maltodextrin, a bulking agent. Sugar alcohols contain carbohydrates, although many people have trouble digesting them; talk with your doctor or nutritionist to see if artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols can be included in your diet.
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