10 Incredible Low-Carb Foods That Taste Amazing and Are Good for You!

Low-carb diets are one of the best ways to lose weight, and they can also help reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. The key to succeeding with low-carb diets, though, is finding low-carb foods that you enjoy enough to stick with them long-term. This list of 10 incredible low-carb foods that taste amazing and are good for you should get you started! (And if you don’t like these foods, check out our list of 50 other good-for-you foods.)

1) Spinach

This bright green leafy vegetable is not only extremely low in carbohydrates, but also rich in nutrients. Spinach is also very low in calories, so you can eat a lot of it without taking in too many calories. For example, one cup of spinach contains only 7 calories. It’s a great food to eat if you’re trying to maintain or lose weight. For example, adding just half a cup of cooked spinach to your daily diet can help you burn an extra 150 calories per day.

2) Mushrooms

Mushrooms aren’t your typical low-carb foods—they can be up to 10 times higher in carbs than many veggies—but they’re worth it because they are incredibly flavorful. They taste great in pasta, or as a snack with some seasonings. Give them a try next time you’re looking to mix things up on your low-carb diet!

3) Eggs

Eggs are low in carbohydrates, high in protein, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. These nutrients may help to improve your energy levels throughout the day. If you’re trying to lose weight or avoid carbs, it’s a good idea to replace one of your meals with an egg meal each day. Eggs make great omelets or an ingredient in many other recipes—plus they taste delicious.

4) Pomegranate

Pomegranate juice is packed with antioxidants, fiber, vitamins C and K, potassium, calcium, and iron. The seeds inside are edible as well – just remove them from their inedible rind. They’re often added to salads or cooked into side dishes or even desserts. One cup of pomegranate juice contains about 70 calories, so it’s a great choice if you want something sweet without a lot of extra calories. (4)

5) Salmon

Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to improve heart health. Omega-3s also promote brain development, reduce inflammation throughout your body, lower blood pressure, and reduce cholesterol levels. Paired with a salad or an asparagus side dish (or any other veggie you like), salmon’s incredible flavor makes it one of our favorite low-carb foods around.

6) Green Tea

Green tea is more than just a refreshing beverage, it’s packed with cancer-fighting antioxidants. It also contains caffeine, which helps boost your metabolism to help you lose weight faster. Brew a cup, chill it in an ice bath, and add mint leaves and lemon slices—for an incredibly healthy twist on iced tea that’s as refreshing as it is delicious.

7) Coffee

In addition to being a beverage, coffee is one of our favorite low-carb foods. Studies show that coffee can play a role in weight loss by boosting metabolism. When we drink caffeine, it acts as an appetite suppressant—in fact, studies have shown that drinking two cups of black coffee before meals can reduce calorie intake by 20%.* And since it’s also chock full of antioxidants, we definitely recommend adding a little java to your diet every day. In moderation, of course...

8) Mustard

Mustard contains the oleoresin, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound that can help with joint pain and arthritis. Mustard also contains inulin, which has been shown to boost metabolism by up to 13%. Finally, mustard seeds have an impressively high selenium content. Selenium is an essential trace mineral required by our bodies for healthy thyroid function.

9) Olive Oil

Olive oil contains a lot of healthy fats. These fats can help lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. Olive oil also contains phytochemicals that have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are good because they help prevent cell damage from occurring by fighting off harmful free radicals in your body. It’s important to note that extra virgin olive oil is best as it contains more antioxidants than processed versions of olive oil.

10) Nuts

They’re high in protein, vitamin E, zinc, and monounsaturated fats. Nuts are also a great way to get omega-3 fatty acids without eating fish. Almonds, walnuts, pistachios—they’re all good for you as long as you don’t go overboard with them. To stay on track, follow our no sugar rule: no nuts with added sugar or honey; your nuts should be unsalted and dry roasted (if possible).