30 Low Carb Foods That Taste Incredible

When you think of low carb diets, you imagine all of the foods you know and love go out the window. But actually, there are still plenty of foods you can enjoy while on a low carb diet.

Read on below to find out all the delicious foods you didn't know you could eat while on a low carb diet.

Steak

You can certainly live the good life on a low carb diet. There are almost no carbohydrates in steak; instead you get a healthy dose of protein, some fat, and a wealth of different minerals including B12 and zinc.

Bacon

There aren't many diets where you can still eat fried bacon, but on low carb you can. Cook it in it's own fat and add a couple of eggs on the side for a healthy, carb free breakfast.

Roast Chicken

A classic meal perfect for Sundays or holidays, roast chicken goes nicely with grilled or roasted vegetables. Sage and onion or walnut are good ingredients for the stuffing, since bread stuffing contains too many carbs.

Lamb

Lamb is a very high quality protein that contains a variety of vitamins and minerals. It roasts well as an alternative to chicken or turkey, or it can be used to make lamb burgers and kebabs.

Salmon

Always a popular choice in restaurants, this is a very versatile fish that can be smoked, poached, roasted or fried, and is delicious as a ceviche with lemon or lime.

Tuna

A staple of our diets for the past several decades, tuna is easy to prepare and ideal when you don't have much time to cook. A great way to add protein to salads, it also tastes delicious in casseroles.

Lobster

Lobster is high in protein and low in fat, although eating it dripping with butter obviously pushes up the fat content. For a low calorie version try lobster bisque soup or lobster cakes.

Eggs

High in vitamins A, D and E and full of essential amino acids, eggs are one of the most adaptable foods around. Combine them with ground almonds to make pancake batter or scramble them with cheese and mushrooms for a quick and easy lunch.

Butter

Some low carb dieters advocate adding butter to your coffee, which seems a bit extreme, but there's no doubt it's great to cook with and can make a boring meal more palatable. Grass-fed is better than grain-fed as it contains higher levels of vitamin K2.

Cheese

Mmm, cheese. No need to hold back from the cheeseboard any longer, all kinds of cheese are fine for low carb. A great savory snack is cheese chips, little flat discs of seasoned melted cheese that can replace chips in your diet.

Greek Yogurt

Many of the yogurts you can buy in the grocery store are sweetened and to be avoided, but Greek yogurt is low in sugar and is a great source of calcium and vitamin B.

Almond Milk

Although you're also free to drink ordinary milk on the low carb diet, almond milk has even fewer calories and tastes just as good. It's also full of vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that protects your skin from sun damage.

Kidney Beans

A great source of protein for vegetarians, kidney beans are great for meat-eaters too because they're high in fiber, which can be in short supply on the low carb diet. Try them in a classic three bean salad or have them refried with chicken.

Cannellini Beans

These are also a great source of protein and various minerals, and their light taste means they can be flavored with anything you want and make a great side dish.

Tofu

Not just for vegetarians, tofu is a healthy and filling way to get more protein. It's also a good way to introduce a bit of variety into your diet, especially if you like Asian cuisine.

Almonds

While they make a great snack on their own, ground almonds are a brilliant low carb substitute for flour and can be used in pancake batter, pizza crust and even cake.

Peanuts

Add a little bit of crunch to salads with a handful of peanuts, or roast some with herbs and garlic for a tasty savory snack. Peanuts are high in protein and monounsaturated fats, which are great for your heart.

Peanut Butter

If you don't fancy peanuts then peanut butter is just as high in protein and healthy fat – just make sure you don't buy one with added sugar and salt. (Don't tell anyone, but sometimes we like to eat it straight from the jar.)

Avocados

Avocados are an amazing source of healthy fats, fiber, vitamin K and vitamin C. They're easy to incorporate into salads or can be stuffed with prawns or poached eggs. And, of course, you can make mouth-watering guacamole.

Strawberries

While most fruits are forbidden on low carb because of the sugar content, strawberries are relatively benign with only 6% sugar. They're a great source of vitamin C and a natural way to satisfy a sweet tooth.

Raspberries

Just beating strawberries with only 5% sugar, raspberries are a great light dessert or will sweeten your breakfast smoothie and are a good source of vitamin C and manganese.

Cauliflower

If you really missed mash potatoes then mashed cauliflower makes a surprisingly good low carb substitute. Cook it until it's very soft, drain well then mash in a bowl with a large lump of butter.

Zucchini

Surprisingly satisfying to eat considering how low in calories they are, zucchini can be fried, grilled, stuffed, barbecued or baked. Consider a cheesy zucchini bake as a side vegetable, or grill them as part of a kebab as they do in Turkey.

Broccoli

Delicious both raw and cooked, broccoli tastes great when jazzed up with a little garlic and some Parmesan. As well as being full of vitamin K and chromium, the sulfur compounds in broccoli have anti-inflammatory benefits.

Asparagus

Asparagus is high in fiber, vitamins C and K and carotene, and relatively high in protein compared to other vegetables. They make a great side dish roasted in the oven, or try giving niçoise salad a new spin by swapping green beans for asparagus.

Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are as high in vitamin C as oranges and a good substitute for more sugary fruits. They add a bit of color to any dish and work well in salads, or can be stuffed with beef, onion and cheese.

Herbs and Spices

If you're getting a bit sick of your diet then don't forget to experiment with different flavors. Adding new herbs and spices can completely transform a dish and stop you becoming bored with low carb.

Sugar-Free Jello

If your sugar cravings are getting out of hand then a little lump of sugar-free jello will make you feel better without breaking your diet. We admit it's not exactly nutritious, but a mouthful every now and again won't hurt you.

Mascarpone

Even though it's technically a cheese, mascarpone has a light, sweet taste and is often used in desserts. It's perfect for a bit of low carb sweetness, especially combined with strawberries.

Dark Chocolate

Believe it or not, you can eat chocolate on the low carb diet! The key is to eat real chocolate that is unsweetened and has a high cocoa content – at least 80% cocoa solids. Good quality chocolate brands like Ghirardelli and Lindt make some really tasty unsweetened chocolate.