If you’re trying to keep your carbs on the lower side, nuts fit right into that plan. They deliver crunch, flavor, healthy fats, and plant-based protein without pushing your daily carb count over the edge. Some nuts naturally contain fewer carbohydrates than others, which makes them a simple choice for low-carb meals and snacks. Whether you’re following keto, watching your blood sugar, or just aiming for a more balanced diet, adding low-carb nuts is an easy way to stay satisfied.
Curious about which nuts offer the lowest carb counts? Let’s explore the best options and how you can enjoy them throughout the day.
Why Nuts Are an Easy Choice for Low-Carb Diets
Nuts offer a unique nutrition profile that aligns well with low-carb eating. They’re packed with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which support heart health and help keep you full. They also contain plant fiber that slows digestion, supports your gut, and helps reduce blood sugar spikes. Because the majority of the calories in nuts come from healthy fats rather than carbohydrates, they slot naturally into low-carb plans.
Another bonus: nuts are simple to portion and take with you. A small handful can curb hunger between meals, add crunch to salads, or give you a more filling breakfast when paired with yogurt or berries. Since many low-carb diets focus on satiety and stable energy, nuts make that easier without feeling restrictive.
What Are the 5 Best Nuts for a Low-Carb Diet?
Some nuts contain more carbohydrates than others. The five below offer great flavor and crunch while keeping total carbs low and net carbs even lower.
Almonds
Almonds are one of the most popular low-carb nuts, and for good reason. They contain roughly 6 grams of total carbohydrates per ounce, much of which comes from fiber. That fiber helps support digestion and helps you feel full. Almonds also contribute vitamin E, magnesium, and heart-healthy fats, making them both satisfying and nutrient dense.
Ways to add almonds to a low-carb diet: sprinkle sliced almonds on Greek yogurt, blend them into smoothies for extra richness, or enjoy raw almonds as an easy afternoon snack.
Pecans
Pecans are an excellent option for very low-carb lifestyles. One ounce has only about 4 grams of total carbohydrates and an impressive amount of healthy fats. Pecans also contain antioxidants such as flavonoids, which help protect your cells from oxidative stress.
Try adding pecans to salads, pairing them with cheese, or using chopped pecans to top low-carb baked goods.
Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are one of the lowest-carb nuts available, usually landing around 4 grams of total carbohydrates per ounce. They’re rich, buttery, and incredibly satisfying, thanks to their high content of monounsaturated fats. Those fats support heart health and steady energy, which can be especially helpful during keto or low-carb eating.
Macadamias shine when mixed into low-carb trail mixes or enjoyed on their own as a treat.
Walnuts
Walnuts offer about 4 grams of total carbohydrates per ounce, plus alpha-linolenic acid, a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid linked to heart and brain health. Walnuts also contain antioxidants that help support your body’s natural defenses.
Enjoy walnuts on a low-carb diet by tossing them into salads, adding them to low-carb yogurt bowls, or snacking on them plain.
Brazil Nuts
Brazil nuts round out the list with roughly 3 grams of total carbohydrates per ounce. They’re especially known for their selenium content, a mineral that supports immune health and antioxidant activity. Just one or two Brazil nuts can meet your daily selenium needs.
These nutrient-dense nuts are great for snacking or adding to homemade low-carb mixes.
What Nuts Should a Low-Carb Diet Avoid?
Some nuts contain higher carbohydrate levels and may be more challenging to fit into a low-carb diet. They’re still nutritious, but moderation matters if you’re tracking carbs closely.
Cashews
Cashews are creamy and delicious, but they’re on the higher end for carbs at about 9 grams per ounce. If you’re following a strict low-carb plan, limit your portion or enjoy them only occasionally.
Chestnuts
Chestnuts differ from most tree nuts in that they’re much starchier. A single ounce contains more than 15 grams of carbohydrates, which makes them a less compatible choice for low-carb eating. They’re best saved for meals where higher carbs fit into your goals.
Low-Carb Diets with Nature’s Garden
Choosing the right nuts can make low-carb eating both enjoyable and sustainable. Nature’s Garden nut based snack mixes offer convenient, high-quality options that fit seamlessly into low-carb routines. Whether you need a quick snack, a crunchy topping, or a nutrient-dense addition to breakfast or dinner, you’ll find low-carb nut varieties across our lineup that support your goals.
Stock your pantry with a few favorites, experiment with mix-and-match flavors, and lean on nuts as a satisfying way to stay energized through the day.
