Low Carb Diets

Low Carb Meat List - and Seafood, Eggs, Tofu, etc

By Laura Dolson, About.com

Updated: October 5, 2006

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

On most of the popular low carb diets, most meats and related protein foods are acceptable. These are some exceptions:

Be careful to avoid breaded meats (including “breaded from within” dishes like meatloaf) and meats served with high carb sauces.
Atkins points out that mussels and oysters have carbs, so be sure to count them.
Some organ meats contain carbohydrates. Atkins recommends limiting organ meats to 4 oz. per day. One ounce of raw beef liver has about 1 gram of carbohydrate - one ounce cooked has 1.4 grams.
Be aware that hams and luncheon meats often have added sugars - check the labels or have the deli worker do it.
Limit consumptions of processed meats, especially with nitrites (hot dogs, bacon, etc).
On diets which limit saturated fat (e.g. South Beach, Zone), the fattier cuts, such as the dark meat of poultry, are to be avoided. Cuts of meat low in saturated fat
Some plans, such as the Zone, limit egg yolks.
Half a cup of tofu has 10 grams of protein and 1 gram of effective carbohydrate (with 1 gram of fiber)