Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the body. They are broken down by the liver to produce glucose or blood sugar. The mainstay of a healthy diet includes complex carbohydrates in the form of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes, according to the National Institutes of Health. Most foods contains some level of carb, so there are many options for people looking to reduce the number of carbohydrates they consume each day.
Meat
Though high in fat and protein, meat typically contains no carbohydrates. Keeping a meat dish carbohydrate-free, however, depends on cooking technique. Beef, pork and poultry should be prepared unbreaded to maintain its carb-free status. Breading, sauces and stuffing can add unwanted carbs to a meat dish. Prepared and processed meat often contain fillers that have carbs, so avoid products such as meat loaf, hot dogs, deli meat and sausages.
Seafood
Seafood and fish are good options for those looking for carbohydrate-free dishes. When steamed and boiled, seafood such as salmon, shrimp, scallops, oysters and mussels can provide high levels of protein with no added carb. As with meat and poultry dishes, breading and sauces made with flour will add carbohydrates to fish and seafood meals. An easy seafood snack food option that has no carb is canned sardines.
Dairy
Most cheese does not contain carbohydrates. Milk and milk products, however, can contain carbs, so consumers should read labels before adding these foods to a carb-free diet. The best choices for cheese include cheddar, gorgonzola, parmesan and gruyere. Butter likewise does not have carbohydrates, and most cooking oils are free of carbohydrates, as well.
Eggs
Eggs contain such a negligible amount of carbohydrate, less than 1 gram, that most dieters consider them to be carb-free. The white and the yolk can vary widely in their fat content, however. Of the 80 or so calories found in an egg, the yolk of an egg contains about 99 percent of the fat and most of the cholesterol, while the egg white contains a little more than half of the protein.
Olives
Most fruits and vegetables are high in carbohydrates because the foods store the sugar fructose, which is a carb. Olives, though considered a fruit, do not contain any carbs. Olive oil is excellent for no-carb cooking, and can be used to marinate meat, seafood and poultry.
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