Imagine a zero carb world where nervous counting doesn’t exist. If you’re starting low carb, speeding up ketosis or in Atkins Induction, no carb foods will set you free.
- Tips for going zero carb
- How to read no carb food labels
- Real life zero carb food experience and 6 week food log
- Printable list of no carb foods
- 4 Day no carb meal plan
The list of low carb foods is HUGE. Zero carb foods are more limited, especially in the fruit and veggie area. But there are still over 100 choices for rich satisfying meals.
Finding foods with zero carbs isn’t hard. Use our zero carb and (almost) zero carb food lists, read package labels carefully and be pleasantly surprised at all the options.
Using the No Carb Foods List
Technically speaking, fats are the only foods that are completely zero carb. Even meats and seafood have trace amounts.
What You Must Know:
The foods on this list have very minor amounts of net carbs – fractions of a gram. These foods are so close to zero, most low carbers consider them ‘no carb foods.’
The “almost” zero carb foods are a bit higher, but a single serving from the list is still under 1 net carb.
One Warning:
Track your servings. Trace amounts of carbs still add up.
Tips for Going Zero Carb
You’ve decided to go low – really low. These three easy tips simplify starting your zero carb diet.
Give yourself a few days to prepare.
Check your fridge and cabinets, move any higher carb foods to the side, and fill the space with your favorite no carb foods.
Plan a zero carb grocery trip and stock up!
Focus on what you ARE allowed to eat.
Zero carb foods are savory and delicious. You won’t feel like you’re depriving yourself.
Have fun. Try new things.
If you are eating foods with no carbs, you are cooking more often. Having some fun with your food is a good way to build positive associations.
Chef-Pro Silicone Gloves
Tired of bulky oven mitts? Chef-Pro’s silicone oven gloves are ultra-convenient for grilling, BBQ, cooking and baking. Insulated & waterproof.
Real Life Zero Carb Food Log
What’s it really like to go zero carb? Rebecca Latham of Low Carb Better Health went zero carb, keeping food logs for six weeks:
“I am eating meat, a small amount of dairy, some healthy fats and I am drinking water only.
I have also been eating Fat Bombs, which contain almond butter, cocoa power and Stevia.
I am carefully tracking what I am eating. Here is what I have learned so far about how my blood sugar reacts to food.“
No Carb Food Labels
Many food labels list foods as having zero carbs. Labeling laws allow food companies to print “zero grams” on the label if the food has less than one gram of carbs.
Sugar substitutes, cheeses, eggs and spices are common examples of this situation. If you’re being extra cautious, count them as .5 net carbs per serving.
List of Foods with No Carbs
There are zero carb foods in almost every food group, so it’s easy to enjoy a variety of foods when going no carb.
Select the image to view, print or save. Opens in a new window.
Zero Carb Meat
High in protein and vitamins, most natural meats have zero carbs.
Packaged, cured and processed meats (sausage, hot dogs, deli meat, bacon, etc.) have some carbs due to added flavoring, preservatives or starchy binders.
Be sure to check the labels.
These natural meats have no carbs:
- Beef
- Veal
- Lamb
- Pork
- Fowl (turkey, chicken, duck, goose, hen, quail)
- Organ Meats (brains, tongue, liver, heart, kidneys)
- Game Meats (venison, bison, ostrich, caribou, elk)
- Exotic Meats (such as ostrich and emu)
Zero Carb Bacon Bars
Zero carb, game-changing Epic Bacon Bars let you “Enter bacon bliss… Indulge in bacon lust freely and frequently.” (100% natural)
Zero Carb Seafood
Fresh (unprocessed) seafood is zero carb:
- Cod
- Flounder
- Sole
- Haddock
- Halibut
- Sardine
- Swordfish
- Tuna
- Trout
- Salmon
- Catfish
- Bass
These options have trace carbs:
- Crab
- Shrimp
- Lobster
- Squid
These options have a bit more:
- Oysters (count .35 net carbs per oyster)
- Mussels (count .38 net carbs per mussel)
- Clams (count .35 net carbs per clam)
Zero Carb Seasoning
Flavoring zero carb foods makes them much more palatable.
- Salt and Pepper
- Vinegar
- Ground Cinnamon
- Most Hot Sauces
- Pre-mixed Seasonings (check the label)
- Yellow Mustard
- Dill weed
- Chives, Basil, Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme, etc.
Zero Carb Oils and Fats
The following fats and oils have zero carbs:
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Grass-fed butter
- Walnut Oil
- MCT oil
- Avocado oil
- Fish oil
- Animal Fats (including lard)
Less healthy oils:
- Mayonnaise (check each label)
- Vegetable Shortening
- Sesame oil
Organic Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is high in Medium Chain Triglycerides, or (MCT) fatty acids. These fats are metabolized differently. Coconut oil is used immediately for energy – not stored.
Carrington farms organic coconut oil is gluten free, non-GMO, free of hydrogenated and trans fats, Kosher and zero carb.
High Performance MCT Oil
Left Coast’s pure MCT oil blend is easier to absorb and digest. MCT converts into energy faster than other oils, ignites your body’s metabolic rate and helps maintain healthy levels of cholesterol.
MCT oil is an easy way to increase your healthy fats. Add to salads, smoothies or Bulletproof coffee for immediate, all day energy.
Triple filtered, pharmaceutical grade, BPA-free container, USA-made, identical quality to the ‘Bulletproof’ brand.
Zero Carb Binders
Unflavored, powdered gelatin is a high protein, zero carb food. Gelatin strengthens hair and nails, helps skin stay elastic and helps with sleep.
Low carb guru, Dana Carpender has excellent ideas for adding gelatin:
“I intend to start adding gelatin to things, too. In particular, I plan to mix gelatin into ground meat dishes, from burgers to meat loaves to chili.
Why not? It’s flavorless. I’m betting in the burgers and meat loaves it holds moisture, and acts as a binder.
I’ve also started adding pork rind crumbs to a lot of ground meat recipes, not only for flavor, but for the gelatin.”
– from Hold The Toast “Gelatin Blowing My Mind”)
Use zero carb gelatin as a binder for ground meat, or add to lemonade for a filling, protein boost.
Zero Carb Beverages
These beverages are zero carb:
- Water
- Sparkling Water
- Club Soda
- Coffee
- Tea
- Diet Soda (watch the artificial sweetener)
Zero Carb Sweeteners
Companies advertise aspartame, sucralose, saccharine and stevia as no carb sugar substitutes. However – the powder and granular ones usually contain trace amounts of carbohydrate fillers.
It only takes a little to go a long way. Use a sprinkle.
Note: Artificial sweeteners can affect insulin the same way sugar does, so watch your progress, use sparingly and with caution.
Liquid Sucralose Sweetener
EZ-Sweetz liquid sweetener is made of sucralose and has no bitter aftertaste. Zero carb, zero calories, zero impact.
Liquid De-Bittered Stevia
EZ-Sweetz’s de-bittered stevia blend has no unpleasant aftertaste. This blend has none of the characteristic bitterness of typical stevia sweeteners.
Zero Carb Alcohol
Use alcohol with caution. Your body burns alcohol before it burns fat for fuel. When you have metabolized all the alcohol, your body will return to burning fat.
Alcohol knocks some low carbers out of ketosis for several days after drinking alcohol. Everyone is different, so watch your progress and adjust if necessary.
- Gin
- Rum (unflavored)
- Vodka (unflavored)
- Whiskey
- Tequila
- Scotch
(Almost) Zero Carb Foods
This list of almost zero carb foods really expands your options without compromising your plan.
A single serving of these foods contains less than 1 net carb. Measure carefully and spread your extra carbs throughout the day.
Almost Zero Fruits and Veggies
Many of the leafy green vegetables (spinach, lettuce, celery, kale, turnip greens) are great choices for going zero carb.
Although commonly thought of as vegetables, avocados are fruit, almost zero carb and a source of healthy fat.
Raspberries are high in fiber and are great to sprinkle over a salad or top with whipped cream.
Serving size: 1/2 cup
- Spinach .2
- Parsley .4
- Avocado .5
- Radish .5
- Lettuce .25
- Bok Choy .7
- Celery .8
Serving size: 1/4 cup
- Mushrooms .5
- Garlic (1/2 clove) .5
- Pokeberry Shoots .5
- Cabbage .5
- Asparagus (3 pieces) .6
- Coconut .5
- Yellow Squash .7
- Raspberries .7
- Cauliflower .7
- Broccoli .8
- Cucumber .9
Almost Zero Eggs and Dairy
Eggs
Eggs are so versatile: fried, scrambled, omelets, quiche, boiled, deviled and of course – egg salad.
- Eggs .2 to .7 per egg (check the carton)
Eggs are almost zero carb, ranging from .2 to 1 net carb per egg. Organic, free-range, cage-free, etc. eggs have larger yolks, making them lower in carbs. Be sure to check each carton.
HWC
Most heavy whipping cream brands have less than 1 carb per tablespoon, even if the packaging declares “0 carbs.”
Check labels carefully – each brand of cream is very different.
- Heavy Cream .4 net carbs per tablespoon.
- Half-and-Half .2 to 1 net carb per tablespoon.
Almost Zero Cheese
Most natural, unprocessed cheeses (no added flavors or ingredients) are 0 to 1 net carb per serving. Hard cheeses will be the lowest; softer, creamy cheeses will be the highest.
The following cheeses and net carb amounts are from FatSecret, Popular Cheeses. When in doubt, check each label.
Serving size: 1 oz = 1″ cube = 1/4 cup grated (approx.)
- Asiago .9
- Blue .6
- Brie .1
- Camembert .1
- Cheddar .3
- Colby .7
- Edam .4
- Fontina .4
- Goats .6
- Gouda .6
- Gruyère .1
- Havarti .7
- Mexican Blend Cheese .5
- Monterey .1
- Mozzarella .6
- Muenster .3
- Neufchatel .1 to .8
- Parmesan .9
- Provolone .6
- Ricotta .8
* This list goes on and on… Be adventurous and try something new!
4 Day No Carb Meal Plan
Four days of zero carb snacks, mini meals, main dishes, desserts and drinks. Grab the 4 Day Zero Carb Meal planner and a free eBook, 12 Zero Carb Recipes.
Women’s Keto Meal Plan
The Keto Beginning is a highly recommended program – especially if you’re not ready for Atkins Maintenance phases or an increase in carbs every day.
Bust through plateaus, eat more carbs and uncover a life you love. Restore your weight, balance hormones and lift mood naturally.
This carb cycling keto meal plan slides you into fat-burning mode, without needing to go strict low carb.
If what you’re doing isn’t working,
…this is your chance to change your body, meet your goals and achieve the balance you’re searching for.