20 High Protein Low Carb Foods To Boost Your Immunity
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Foods with carbohydrates are essential to the body. However, completely outcasting or excess consumption of carbs can lead to various consequences.
Having a balanced diet is essential. You can hop into high-protein foods to maintain a healthy weight. As it goes with the name, the food with protein on the higher side and carbs on the lower side are the high-protein low carb foods.
1. Shrimp
Seafoods are the must to look out for when looking for high protein low carbs foods. One of the seafoods is the Shrimp. Shrimps are an underrated source of protein.
Not just for protein, having shrimp serves with heart and skin health benefits too. The antioxidant astaxanthin provides health benefits.
Roughly 3-5 shrimps (3 ounces of serving) have 0.2 grams of carbs and 17 grams of protein. On top, it serves with minerals like calcium and potassium that help with bone health and regulating blood pressure too.
2. Flaxseeds
When looking to cut out carbs, focus on foods that are high in fiber. Another nutritional food high in protein and dietary fiber is flaxseeds. It is also high in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and contains quality proteins and phytoestrogens.
Flaxseeds have 28-30% protein and 35% fiber. A good source of protein, flaxseeds come with heart health benefits. The fiber content in the flaxseeds helps lower bad cholesterol and 55% of ALA content helps in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol ultimately leading to a healthy heart.
3. Spirulina
Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that is highly nutritious and a great source of protein, copper, and vitamin B. It has an active compound namely phycocyanin which is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties.
The compound helps fight oxidative stress, boosting immunity. As an excellent source of protein, it provides all the essential amino acids that our body needs.
Spirulina is a dietary supplement with high nutritional value. With about 60% protein available in the dry weight of spirulina, it is a better source of protein than most vegetables.
4. Pumpkin seeds
Shell-free, green, flat, oval-shaped seeds are the pumpkin seeds easily available in the market and a great source of protein. Pumpkin seeds are full of antioxidants that help you boost immunity and protect against disease.
These seeds are also high in dietary fiber, various vitamins, and minerals. It contains magnesium that helps to control blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, regulate blood sugar levels, and maintain bone health. These small seeds are packed with nutrients to aid your high protein low carb diet.
5. Canned Tuna
A staple in many kitchens, canned tuna is a protein-packed food. With only two ounces of tuna, you will get a snack or a meal that's high in protein.
Canned tuna comes in different forms: mixed with water, or olive oil. Each of them serves a different amount of nutrients. Low in fat and calories, canned tuna is a great source of protein.
Canned tuna is a versatile ingredient that you can have in a sandwich, pair it with veggies, or mix it in a salad. This inexpensive source of protein and stay in your pantry for a long time.
6. Tofu
If you are looking for a protein-packed food that doesn't empty your pocket, choose tofu. Tofu is a plant-based food that's low in calories, and high in protein.
On top, it's loaded with many other important vitamins and minerals including calcium and manganese. This nutrient-dense food is high in protein and contains all the amino acids our body needs.
It has a long shelf life and can be easily stored in the refrigerator. Half a cup serving of tofu contains 1 gram of net carbs and 22 grams of protein. Thus, tofu is a perfect fit for your high protein low carb diet.
7. Chicken
If you are looking to consume pure protein-based foods, have chicken breasts. Skinless chicken breasts are the best source of lean protein. When in resistance training, having chicken helps you lose weight as well as increase muscle mass.
Each 85 grams of roasted, skinless chicken breast serves you with 27 grams of protein and 140 calories.
Chicken is a natural source of selenium that helps boost immunity. You can top it over a sandwich, eat it plain, mix it with veggies, or add in salads and enjoy it as a meal or snack.
8. Asparagus
Rotate your high-protein diet routine with asparagus. Asparagus is rich in nutrients and low in calories. It is an excellent source of vitamin K with other micronutrients such as iron, zinc, etc.
This excellent source of antioxidants prevents you from chronic diseases. When in a low-carb diet, don't hesitate to add asparagus to your diet as it is rich in fiber too.
9. Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are an ideal food that one includes on a diet plan. Rich in fiber, plenty of protein, and various minerals, chia seeds have various health benefits to offer.
It is a high-quality plant-based protein offering all the nine amino acids required for the body. Chia seeds contain 19% protein.
One can consume this plant-based protein in numerous manner. Chia seeds can be soaked and taken as porridge, used in baked goods, and added to oatmeal, yogurt, cereals, and many more.
10. Almonds
Almonds are a huge source of antioxidants, protein, fiber, and vitamin E. Because of the nutrient contents, it is a perfect low-carb snack munch. With high protein and fiber content, eating almonds leads to reduced hunger.
It also prevents overeating by increasing the feeling of fullness. As overeating reduces, it leads to weight management. Thanks to the high protein and fiber content with other massive amounts of nutrients in almonds.
Consumption of almonds prevents us from various diseases, improves brain health, and helps us have less belly fat. However, be mindful of not overeating it.
11. Roasted Chickpeas
One of the nutritious, inexpensive, and versatile, high protein, low carb foods is chickpeas. They contain prebiotic fiber that helps our body's probiotics to survive longer, providing various immune benefits. This high-fiber, protein-packed food will keep you full for a longer time, reducing overeating, and maintaining energy levels.
When choosing what to eat for high protein low carb food, get roasted chickpeas on a rotation. Rich in plant protein, it is an excellent food for vegetarians and vegans. Enjoy it as a snack or sprinkle on salad for healthy munching.
12. Hard Boiled Eggs
Eggs are the best source of protein and provide about 6 grams of high-quality protein. Not just the egg whites, the yolk is also protein-packed. Hence, it is better to have a whole egg instead of just egg whites to benefit from the protein and other nutrients that an egg has to offer.
An egg has essential nutrients and antioxidants like choline, lutein, and zeaxanthin that support brain and eye health. An egg is a versatile food that you can consume hard boiled, as a snack, or scramble for different meals.
13. Salmon
Another savory delight you can have when looking for high protein low carb food is salmon. Always a delicious choice, salmon comes with lots of protein and miraculous health benefits.
Salmon a rich source of high-quality protein also plays a vital role in maintaining muscle mass during the weight loss journey. Per 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of serving, salmon provides 22-25 grams of protein. Include 8-12 ounces of mixed seafood per week in your diet and live a healthy life.
14. Sunflower seeds
Nutrient-rich sunflower seeds are a great addition to the high protein low carb diet needs. It contains some powerful antioxidants that lead to improved cognition, heart health, and decrease the risk of dementia.
If you are allergic to peanut butter, sunflower seed butter can be your friend making it a high protein low carb food. Sunflower seeds are high in vitamin E and selenium which protect the body from various chronic diseases.
15. Edamame
Another plant-based protein-rich food is edamame. High-quality protein owner, edamame has all the essential amino acids required for the body.
160 grams of cooked edamame has around 18.4 grams of protein. The food is also rich in several vitamins and minerals that help combat various diseases.
Edamame, a good source of fiber is fun to prepare and easy to snack on food. Sprinkle some pepper and sea salt on de-shelled edamame and it will be a great treat to your tastebuds.
16. Pistachios
Nuts are generally a source of protein and pistachios are no different. Pistachios boast important nutrients and are high in protein, fiber, and antioxidants. They are amongst the lowest-calorie nuts with high protein value.
A good amount of amino acid can be derived from pistachios. Rich in fiber and protein, pistachios increase the feeling of fullness and help you eat less, aiding in weight loss. Having in-shell pistachios is better as they promote mindful eating and keep you on track too.
17. Hemp Seeds
Hemp seeds, a look-alike to chia seeds and flaxseeds are an exceptionally nutritious plant-based protein source. Not just limited to being a source of high protein, hemp seeds are rich in vitamin E, and minerals like phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron, and more.
The complete protein source in the plant kingdom is very rare and hemp seeds are one of them.
On top, hemp seeds are a source of soluble fiber making them a beneficial food to add to your high protein low carb diet. It aids with numerous health benefits and can be consumed raw, roasted, or cooked, giving you a high-protein diet.
18. Pork Tenderloin
Lean meats are great sources of protein and one of them includes pork. Packed with protein, rich in minerals and vitamins pork is a must-have on your diet. Dry lean pork has the highest protein.
It has all the amino acids necessary for the body. Consuming pork is especially beneficial to bodybuilders, recovering athletes, recovery post-surgery, and other conditions that require muscle repair.
Pork also acts as an immunity booster with components like selenium and zinc. Apart from that, it has potassium and phosphorus that support kidney health by removing excess sodium.
19. Seitan
Made out of hydrated and cooked vital wheat gluten flour, seitan is a plant-based meat substitute with high protein and low carb. The protein content of seitan varies according to the recipe. Usually, a 3-ounce serving of seitan has 15-21 grams of protein, roughly equivalent to that of chicken and beef.
Protein-packed seitan has all nine amino acids. However, some may be on the lower side for lysine. Hence, to meet the protein requirement, make sure to add legumes to your high protein low carb diet.
20. Lobster
Rich in all amino acids, the protein in lobster is better than that of soy, red meat, or milk. High-quality nutritional food, lobster has numerous health benefits too. From enhancing brain and mental health to protecting against heart disease, lobster does it all.
The mouth-watering delight aids you in your weight loss journey too. The protein content in lobster increases the feeling of fullness and boosts the metabolism. Thus, the consumption of lobster aids in controlling appetite too.
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