36 Tasty Low-Carb Foods That Will Keep You Full And Satisfied

For decades, low-carb diets have been a go-to for those looking to shed extra pounds. While maintaining such a diet can be challenging for many, the benefits of including low-carb foods in your meals can be substantial. These foods not only aid in weight loss but also contribute to overall health, providing essential nutrients and fiber that are often absent in high-carb diets.

Low-carb foods are typically rich in fiber, which is essential for digestive health and can help you feel fuller for longer. Vegetables, healthy fats, and proteins form the backbone of a nutritious low-carb diet, making it easier to avoid ultra-processed high-carb options that can lead to long-term health complications. Incorporating a variety of these foods into your daily meals can support weight management and enhance your well-being.

Even if you don't commit to a strict low-carb diet, stocking your kitchen with low-carb, nutrient-dense foods can help you look and feel better. This article will explore a variety of tasty low-carb options that can easily be integrated into your meals and snacks, ensuring you maintain a balanced and satisfying diet.

Avocado
Broccoli
Coconut Oil
Eggplant
Eggs
Grapefruit
Greek Yogurt
Green Beans
Olives
Peanuts and Peanut Butter
Pumpkin Seeds
Raspberries
Salmon
Shellfish
Sunflower Seeds
Tomatoes
Zucchini
Chicken
Cottage Cheese
Grass-Fed Beef
Hemp Seeds
Spirulina
Tempeh
Tofu
Fennel
Spinach
Brussels Sprouts
Radishes
Arugula
Collard Greens
Broccoli Rabe
Kale
Spaghetti Squash
Mushrooms
Cauliflower
Bell Peppers
Low-Carb Food Recipes

Avocado

A whole avocado has about 15 grams of carbs, but you’re unlikely to eat the entire thing in one sitting, so it’s more realistic that you’ll get 4 or 5 carbs in one meal or snack. It’s also high in monounsaturated, aka healthy fats, which can improve cholesterol levels and help lose belly fat. A great way to eat an avocado is to mix it with something high in fiber, such as hummus or whole-grain bread, or eat it on top of an apple — I promise it’s delicious!

Broccoli

Broccoli is considered a cruciferous vegetable, along with cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, and arugula. This type of food is high in glucosinolate, which research shows may reduce the risk of cancer. There are 30 calories in one cup of broccoli, 6 grams of carbs, and 3 grams of fiber. My go-to way to cook broccoli is to toss it in avocado oil and roast it at 400 degrees. It should be crispy after 20-25 minutes. If you don't want to buy and chop a fresh broccoli head, frozen broccoli is packaged at the peak of freshness and just as nutritious.

Coconut Oil

A popular cooking oil for baking, broiling, and sautéing thanks to its high cooking temperature, coconut oil is high in medium-chain triglycerides, which are a type of healthy fat that lowers bad cholesterol and reduces good cholesterol. Coconut oil also has no carbs.

Eggplant

Eggplant, also known as aubergine, packs in less than 5 grams of carbs in one cup. It’s also good for your brain health thanks to its nasunin content, which prevents oxidation in brain cells. When preparing eggplant, it’s best to slice it, sprinkle it with salt, and let it sit for 10 minutes to draw the moisture out. Then, dry it with a paper towel, drizzle on some olive oil, and pop it in the oven at 375 for about 15 minutes. Don’t forget to flip it at the halfway mark.

Eggs

One egg has less than one gram of carbs — 0.6 to be exact — but 10 times as much protein, 6 grams. Hard-boiled eggs make for an easy snack on their own or as lunch mashed up on bread or sliced on a salad.

Grapefruit

At 13 grams of carbs per half, a grapefruit is also lower in sugar compared to other citrus fruits. One study showed there was a positive relationship between eating half a grapefruit before a meal and weight loss. Section half a grapefruit, sprinkle with cinnamon, and a drop of honey and place it under the broiler for three to four minutes for a perfect jam-packed nutrient dessert.

Greek Yogurt

Each 6-ounce container of Greek yogurt has about 6 grams of carbs and a whole lot of protein, approximately 17 grams! Go for one that has no added sugar and add your favorite nuts or seeds and berries for a calcium-packed breakfast.

Green Beans

Green beans provide you with 7 grams of carbs per cup and are rich in vitamin K, which contributes to your bone health, healthy blood clotting, and can help prevent heart disease. Mix 1 cup of steamed beans with a teaspoon of pesto and top with a soft-boiled egg or grilled chicken for a super fast, nutrient-dense lunch.

Olives

Snacking on two tablespoons of olives will still have you consuming just under 1 gram of carbs and the antioxidant oleuropein, which is specific to olives and has been shown to lower cholesterol and prevent oxidative stress. Add olives to Ezekiel toast and goat cheese for a savory breakfast, couple them with veggies for a snack, or toss onto your go-to romaine salad at dinner.

Peanuts and Peanut Butter

One ounce provides you with less than 5 grams of carbs and high amounts of biotin, an important vitamin B when it comes to metabolism, nerve, and digestive health. Crumble them up before tossing them in a salad, couple a handful with a piece of fruit for a snack, or add to your next veggie or tofu stir fry.

Pumpkin Seeds

These super seeds have 15 grams of carbs per ounce and are loaded with magnesium, a mineral crucial to maintaining healthy blood pressure and to overall better digestive health. Add to your oatmeal or mix into guacamole to give it a crunch.