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

Protein Foods on a Low Carb Diet

By , About.com Guide

Updated October 05, 2006

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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)

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