Low-carbohydrate diets or
low-carb diets are dietary programs that restrict
carbohydrate consumption, often for the
treatment of
obesity or
diabetes. Foods high in easily digestible carbohydrates (e.g.,
sugar,
bread,
pasta) are limited or replaced with foods containing a higher percentage of
fats and moderate
protein (e.g.,
meat,
poultry,
fish,
shellfish,
eggs,
cheese, nuts, and
seeds) and other foods low in carbohydrates (e.g., most salad vegetables such as spinach, kale, chard and collards), although other
vegetables and
fruits (especially
berries) are often allowed. The amount of carbohydrate allowed varies with different low-carbohydrate diets.