I’m so excited to be sharing this low carb & keto food list with you today! I’ve been working on this for months. I wanted to make sure that I don’t miss anything and have the most accurate information. The nutrition information and carb counts for this list of keto foods came straight from the USDA Food Composition Database. If you’re just getting started, make sure to also check my full guide about how to start a low carb or keto diet and calculate your macros using the low carb keto macro calculator. (Also, read up on keto flu symptoms and remedies so that you can avoid that hurdle.) And if you want everything done for you, check out the weekly low carb keto meal plan app – it’s free to try it! Over at our low carb & keto support group, people starting out with low carb or keto often ask about what foods they can eat. The truth is, a low carb or keto diet doesn’t have to be restrictive. There are plenty of options for what you can have, and you don’t have to feel deprived. You can find my best low carb recipes in the recipe index here, but I thought it would also be helpful to create a complete low carb and keto food list for you. After all, not everything you eat has to be a recipe. There are lots of easy low carb meals that don’t really even need a recipe at all. And, having a keto food list with everything in one place is so convenient. So, here it is! The ultimate keto low carb food list. It’s divided into categories for convenience, and you can see the serving size and net carb count for each food. The servings are listed by both weight and unit, so you can decide what is easier for you to use. If you want a low carb food list printable, I have you covered! I know this is something a lot of people have been asking for. Or if you want a shorter list of what to buy the first time you’re at the store shopping for keto, check out this keto grocery list as well. So, I created a keto food list PDF version, too. That one even has little icons to help you identify which foods to double check for added sugar, and icons for foods under 1 gram net carbs, under 5 grams net carbs, or under 10 grams net carbs. I offer my low carb food list printable for free to my email subscribers – and I promise no spam or strings attached. If you want the keto food list PDF, just fill out the form below and I’ll email it to you right away: Otherwise, you can come back to this page anytime to see the keto food list online. The nice thing about this website version is that it’s searchable and sortable. And of course, it’s mobile device friendly, too. Yay! You can use this low carb food list whether you are keto or low carb. It applies to both. If you are following stricter keto, you can skip some of the items having higher carb counts. Enjoy!
Low Carb Leafy Greens
Leafy greens are the primary vegetables in a low carb diet. They are filling, packed with fiber and nutrients, and very low in both carbs and calories.
Low Carb Vegetables
Most vegetables are great for a low carb diet, with a few exceptions. This list includes a range from moderate to very low carb vegetables. Learn more about keto vegetables here, including the best ones to eat, recipes, and which ones to avoid. Serving size volumes vary depending on produce size and chopping style, if any. For exact measurement, go by weight.
Low Carb Fruits
You can enjoy fruit in moderation on a low carb or keto diet. The following low carb fruits list includes the best ones to choose. Avoid high-sugar tropical fruits. Serving size volumes vary depending on produce size and chopping style, if any. For exact measurement, go by weight.
Low Carb Fats
Healthy fats are crucial in a low carb & keto foods list! They keep you full and satisfied. If you are keto, they also help you stay in ketosis. All pure fats/oils are 0 carb, but it’s recommended to avoid soy, corn, canola, “vegetable”, and cottonseed oils. These are usually GMO and highly processed. When choosing fats for cooking, consider the smoke point to avoid exposure to carcinogens. Avocado oil and refined coconut oil have some of the highest smoke points. Any extra virgin oil, like extra virgin olive oil, will have a lower smoke point.
Low Carb Meat & Poultry
Meat and poultry is the main source of protein on a low carb or keto diet. Especially for keto, choose fattier cuts of meat when you can. Grass fed, pasture raised meat and poultry is the healthiest choice, if possible.
Low Carb Seafood
Fish and seafood are great sources of protein. Fish also provides an excellent source of healthy omega-3 fats. Watch for carbs in shellfish, which can be a little higher in carbs than other protein types.
Low Carb Dairy & Eggs
For those that can tolerate dairy, it makes a great addition to a low carb keto food list. Choose full-fat dairy over fat-free or low-fat, which is higher in carbs. Coconut cream is not dairy, but makes a great substitute and is included here. It’s thick and creamy, and often works instead of heavy cream, yogurt or even sour cream in recipes. Eggs are also not dairy, but are listed in this section for convenience. They are found in the dairy section of the grocery store, but you can still enjoy them if you are dairy-free.
Low Carb Nuts & Seeds
Enjoy nuts and seeds in moderation on a keto or low carb diet. They can be easy to overendulge on, so portion control is important. Still, they make great snacks or additions to keto recipes.
Low Carb Beverages
Whenever possible, drink water! It is by far the best beverage. You can change it up by adding lemons or cucumber slices. That being said, there are other options that should be included in any complete low carb food list. Almond and coconut milk make great low carb alternatives to dairy milk that is high in carbs. Coffee and tea are perfectly fine, too. Drinking alcohol can stall weight loss, but is okay to enjoy in moderation. Skip the fruity, sugar-laden drinks and beer; stick to either hard alcohol and dry wines.
Low Carb Sweeteners
Here at Wholesome Yum, we recommend only natural low carb sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners are more likely to spike insulin and have less known long-term effects. For a more detailed look, read the keto sugar substitute guide here. All the sweeteners in this list have 0 net carbs, because they either do not get absorbed or do not metabolize well. Serving sizes can vary by brand, depending on blend/concentration.
Low Carb Flours & Baking
Who says you can’t enjoy baked goods on a low carb or keto diet? You can! Of course, they are still best in moderation, but it’s definitely doable and can help you stay on track. Below is a list of common low carb flours and baking staples, such as thickeners and extracts. Always check labels to make sure no sugar or artificial additives are included. Learning to bake with low carb flours takes time, because they behave differently from traditional wheat flour. Get started by following tried and true recipes. I have lots of low carb dessert recipes for you to try!
Low Carb Herbs
All fresh herbs can be used as part of a keto or low carb diet. They are one of the best ways to add flavor to any dish! Carbs listed below are based on fresh herbs, chopped. If using dried herbs, the conversion is 3:1. That is, 1 tbsp fresh = 1 tsp dried.
Low Carb Spices & Seasonings
Including spices and seasonings in your food makes it a lot more interesting. Most spices and seasonings are keto and low carb friendly, but watch for added ingredients. Some spices or mixes add cornstarch or sugar, so you will want to avoid those. Most seasoning mixes can be made at home without the weird ingredients.
Low Carb Condiments
There are plenty of condiments that you can enjoy as part of your keto food list. Just watch for added sugar where you might not expect it, and skip high-sugar ones like pre-made ketchup or sweet dressings. For any store bought items below, the numbers are based on those without added sugar. If possible, it’s better to make your own using low carb ingredients, and sugar-free or no sweetener.
