Carbohydrates are popularly known as “carb”. They are essential for health and serve body in many ways. The article lists the top 10 zero-carb  foods that can be tried out with ease.

Carbohydrates are main source of energy. But over indulgence with carbs may not be good for body. And you might have heard that people, who yearn to lose weight, religiously follow a zero carb diet. What is zero-carb diet? Zero carb diet mainly refers to those foods which are free of carbs.

Here are top 10 zero carb foods to be considered if you wish to lose weight:

• Water: Water tops in zero–carb foods list. It is essentially devoid of carbs and supports all life functions. If you are aspiring for a quick weight loss then its best to include atleast 8-12 glasses of water in your diet routine. Water boosts metabolism and dissolves toxins. You need to drink atleast 1- 7 litres of water every day to save yourself from dehydration.

• Vegetables: Vegetables are either rich in fibers or starches.  Non starchy vegetables contain carbs less than 5 calories per serving. The examples of non-starchy vegetables are leafy vegetables, carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, lettuce, celery,asparagus,parsley, kale, collards, cauliflowers, cabbage, mushroom, zucchini, beets, watercress, avocado, pumpkin, radish, brussel sprouts, and cucumber.

• Milk products: There is a popular misconception that milk products are free from carbs, but it’s not true.  Milk is rich in lactose sugar, which serves atleast 12 grams per serving. However some milk products like mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, Muenster cheese, Monterey jack, and fontina have no carbs. The soft cheese variety like cottage cheese contains 6gms of carbs per serving.

• Meats and meat alternatives:  Most of the meats and meat alternatives are free from carbs, leaving aside the processed varieties like packaged meats. Legumes and nuts are free from carbs, but they pack in fibers, which may wreak havoc on your zero carb diet dreams.

• Poultry: Chicken products that are free from carbs include one cup of giblets, 1 cup of chicken stew meat, chicken breast, 5 ounces of canned chicken, ground turkey patty, 3 ounce light turkey meat and duck.

• Fruits: Most of the fruits are rich in fibers.  It is generally believed that fibers add to fat, but that’s not true in most of the cases. The zero carb fruits that can form the part of the zero calorie diets include: melons, tomatoes, bananas, lemons, figs, apples, lemons, limes, pears, kiwis, plums, berries, grapefruit, pineapple, and tangerines.

• Fish: Fishes are great source of protein. Fishes are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and they aid in heart health. Wild caught salmon, orange roughby, Alaskan halibut, anchovies, Chilean sea bass, mackerel, trout, and shell fish are recommended as a part of zero carb diet.

• Herbs, flavorings, and other accompaniments:  Spices like garlic, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, etc are generally used in preparation of low carb foods.  Some herbs like sage, thyme, dill and oregano can be used in preparation of foods if you are following a low-carb diet.

• Oils:  Oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids can form part of your low-carb diet routine. Canola, walnut oils, flaxseed are best examples of zero carb oils.

• Others:  Soy products- soy milk, soy protein powders, and soy  and brown rice, rice protein powder, olives, tea, coffee (without sugar), and green tea can be included in low-carb diet.

Consuming zero carb foods alone won’t ensure you success in your weightloss goals unless accompanied by a routine of regular workouts.

Image courtesy: buzzle.com