What Foods Have No Carbs

From LoveToKnow Diet

When deciding to follow a low carb diet, dieters often want to know what foods have no carbs. For those who count carbs religiously, foods that have low or zero carbs are precious commodities.

What Are Carbs

"Carbs" is the dieting term for carbohydrates. Carbs are actually sugars and starches, and while many of us who watch our weight want to avoid them, they do serve an important purpose in our daily diet. Carbohydrates give our bodies energy, and this is why low or no carb diets are sometimes frowned upon because the body does need certain carbs to perform properly. However, an overload of carbohydrates can also be damaging as well. In order to understand why you need some carbs, and to help answer the question, what foods have no carbs, an explanation of the two basic types of carbohydrates is necessary.

Simple Carbohydrates: These carbs, which are also referred to as monosaccharides, are found in many fruits, dairy products, and refined, processed foods, like white bread, pastas, and white sugar. Simple carbs are typically easier to digest.
Complex Carbohydrates: These carbs, which are more difficult to digest, are generally found in whole grain breads and pastas, legumes, brown rice, and vegetables. They also provide more long-lasting energy and leave you feeling more satisfied.

Why Are Carbs Important

Carbs do play an important role in a body's health, especially complex carbs. While there are those who need to follow a low carb diet, especially people who are diabetics, drastically reducing your carb intake can leave you with health problems as well. Eating the right type of carbohydrates can provide your body with much needed energy without packing on the fat. Withholding carbs from your diet altogether can lead to extreme fatigue, and you may end up experiencing muscle cramps and poor mental function.

Ever Wonder What Foods Have No Carbs

Followers of the Atkins diet are familiar with the term "low carbs" and "no carbs". Those who participate in this diet seek out foods that are low in carbs and high in protein. Foods such as poultry, fish, eggs, and meats contain very low amounts and often no amounts of carbohydrates. Meats that are processed are an exception to this rule, however, as they are typically processed with sugar. Salad vegetables are also popular no carb or low carb choices. Following is a list of no carb foods for you to enjoy. Keep in mind, however, that unless your doctor has specifically prescribed a no carb diet for you, you do need to incorporate healthy carbs into your daily diet.

Water: Water is essential for your body's health, and not only is it free, but it is carb free! Drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day will help your body with digestion and keep you hydrated.
Meat: Most meats are zero carbs unless they are processed and include fillers like sugar. To keep your fat level down, grill or bake the meat of your choice but avoid frying.
Vegetables: A half cup of vegetables like spinach, lettuce, bok choy or celery are all zero carbs, but not all veggies are low or no carb choices. In fact, vegetables like potatoes are very high in carbohydrates. Summer squash varieties are low in carbs while winter squash is not so don't assume all squash is equal when it comes to carbohydrates.
Cheese: There are several cheeses that are very low in carbs. For example, Monterey Jack and gruyere have only 0.1g per three slices. Other cheeses low in carbs are cheddar, fontina, and muenster.

Other items, such as butter, oils, vegetable shortenings, tea, parsley, mustard, club soda, diet drinks, gin, rum, vodka, whiskey, and even some whipped cream have zero carbohydrates as well. Remember to check with your doctor, however, before you switch to a low carb or no carb diet.

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