Maintaining a balanced diet is essential for overall health and well-being. For those looking to build muscle, lose weight, or manage blood sugar levels, a bunch of high protein low carb foods can be really beneficial to add in the daily diet. Protein is crucial for repairing and building tissues, while limiting carbohydrates can help regulate blood sugar and aid in weight management. In this article, we’ll explore the top 20 high protein low carb foods that should be a staple in your diet so that you can reach your health and fitness goals or get your desired physique as soon as possible! Without further ado, let’s get started.
Chicken Breast
Chicken breast is a lean source of protein, containing approximately 31 grams of protein and zero amount of carbs per 3.5 ounces (100 grams). So, it’s certainly one of the best high protein low carb foods that you need in your diet. It’s versatile and can be prepared in various ways, making it a popular choice among health-conscious individuals especially for people who wants to build lean muscle mass.
Venison
With zero carbs and 30 grams of protein per 3.5 ounces (100 grams), venison is a highly nutritious and an amazing choice for people who wants to fulfil their daily protein requirement without eating extra carbs. There are very few protein sources that are as good as venison. Moreover, it’s highly nutritious and packed with minerals like zinc and iron that can help you maintain your natural testosterone level.
Lean Beef
Lean cuts of beef, such as sirloin or tenderloin, offer a substantial amount of protein, typically around 27 grams per 3.5 ounces (100 grams) but provides zero carbs. This makes it an amazing protein source with no carbs and no extra calories. Opt for lean cuts to minimize saturated fat intake.
Turkey
Similar to chicken, turkey is another excellent choice for you among all the best high protein low carb foods as it contains almost same (30 grams) amount of protein with zero carbs. It’s not only delicious but also an excellent source of tryptophan, an amino acid that can help improve mood and sleep.
Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin is a lean and protein-packed option that provides approximately 26 grams of protein per 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving. It also provides zero carbs that makes it another outstanding food high in protein but low in carbs.
Salmon
Salmon is a fatty fish that’s rich in protein and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of salmon provides from 22 to 25 grams of protein and zero carbohydrates which easily makes it one of the best high protein low carb foods just like others.
Tuna
Tuna is another awesome seafood option packed with protein and low in carbs. Canned tuna is a convenient choice, offering approximately 25.5 grams of protein and zero carbs per 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving.
Shrimp
When we are discussing about best high protein low carb foods, how can we forget shrimp?! 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of shrimp offers 20 grams of protein but only 0.2 gram of carbs. Furthermore, shrimps are also high in Vitamin B12 that helps to maintain healthy blood cells in your body.
Bulgur Wheat
Bulgur wheat are healthy whole grains that are packed with nutritious but with less carbs and decent amount of protein. A 3.5-ounce (100 grams) serving of bulgur wheat provides 11 grams of protein and only less than 10 grams of carbs.
Eggs
Eggs are a complete protein source and incredibly versatile. They contain about 6 grams of protein per large egg and not more than 1 gram of carbohydrate. Eggs also provide essential vitamins and minerals. This nutritional value not only makes egg one of the best high protein low carb foods but also one of the healthiest foods!
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is another dairy product renowned for its high protein content and low carbohydrate count. It contains roughly 10 grams of protein but very low amount of carbs per 6-ounce (170-gram) serving.
Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a dairy product loaded with protein and low in carbs. A half-cup serving (113 grams) of low-fat cottage cheese supplies about 13 grams of protein but only 3.4 grams of carbs. For vegetarians, this is surely one of the best high protein low carb foods.
Tofu
Tofu, a plant-based protein source made from soybeans, is both low in carbs and decent in protein. A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of tofu supplies around 8 grams of protein. So, it’s a great food item for vegans who want to fulfil their daily protein requirement.
Tempeh
Similar to tofu, tempeh is derived from soybeans and offers even more protein and comparatively low carbs. With about 19 grams protein per 3.5 ounces (100 grams), tempeh offers only 9 grams of carbs which makes it another pretty good option that is high in protein but low in carbs. It’s also a source of probiotics and dietary fiber.
Seitan
Seitan, aka wheat gluten, is a protein-rich meat substitute. It’s incredibly low in carbs, containing nearly 75 grams of protein per 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving which is a massive amount and thud. It’s no doubt that seitan is not only one of the best if not the best vegan protein sources but also one of the best high protein low carb foods.
Edamame
Edamame are young soybeans, and they’re not only a tasty snack but also a great source of plant-based protein, with approximately 11 grams per 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving but only contains 10 grams of carbs.
Peanuts
Peanuts are a tasty and protein-rich legume, containing approximately 25 grams of protein per 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving but only 16 grams of carbs. Most probably, in the family of nuts and seeds, peanuts contain lesser carbs compared to other nuts and seeds.
However, be mindful of their calorie content because of their high fat content although the fat is healthy but you don’t want to take truck load of calories, do you? Grabbing a handful of peanuts everyday as a healthy snack is more than enough.
Hemp Seeds
Hemp seeds are a lesser-known but highly nutritious seed that delivers about 31 grams of protein per 3.5 ounces (100 grams). Additionally, they are also very low in carbs which makes it one of the best high protein low carb foods among the seeds and nut as well as all the natural foods out there. They’re also a great source of healthy fats and fiber.
Almonds
Almonds are also a low-carb, high-protein nut, offering around 21 grams of protein per 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving. Just like peanuts and other seeds, almonds are also great snacks for those following a low carb diet.
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are tiny powerhouses of nutrition, providing about 17 grams of protein per 3.5 ounces (100 grams) and their carb content is also pretty low. They’re also rich in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and various vitamins and minerals.
Conclusion
Incorporating high protein low carb foods into your diet can help you achieve your health and fitness goals. Whether you’re aiming to build muscle, shed pounds, or manage blood sugar levels, these 20 foods provide an array of delicious and nutritious options. Remember to balance your protein intake with a variety of vegetables, healthy fats, and other nutrient-dense foods to create a well-rounded and sustainable diet plan. Hopefully, you found this article about 20 best high protein low carb foods helpful enough. If you really did then let us know your valuable thoughts in the comment section below. Thanks for visiting and appreciating our work.