Here's Everything You Can Eat on a Low-Carb Diet, According to a Dietitian

When buying fish and meat, be sure to always choose fresh, lean cuts. Johnston recommends keeping red meat to one to two servings per week (at most) to protect your heart.

• Poultry
• Fish
• Pork
• Beef
• Ground meat, including beef, turkey, and chicken
• Eggs

If you're vegetarian or vegan, or simply trying to follow a more plant-based diet, reach for the following proteins:

• Beans
• Tofu
• Tempeh
• Lentils
• Edamame
• Hummus
• Soy nuts
• Nuts and nut butters, including almond, cashew, and peanut

Aim to fill at least half your plate at every meal with nonstarchy vegetables.

• Leafy greens
• Cauliflower
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Asparagus
• Carrots
• Green beans
• Mushrooms
• Courgette
• Peppers
• Onions
• Aubergine
• Celery
• Cucumbers
• Okra
• Artichoke
• Cabbage
• Daikon

"As a general rule, I recommend not more than one serving of grains at each meal," Johnston said. "For example, keep rice to one half-cup serving and bread to one slice, and when these items are eaten, choose a whole grain." Naturally, this means you should stay away from cakes, cookies, pretzels, chips, and other snack foods that are heavily processed.

• Brown rice
• Quinoa
• Oats
• Barley
• Bran
• Farro
• Whole-wheat or whole-grain pasta
• Whole-wheat or whole-grain bread
• Popcorn

When choosing healthy fats, liquid fats are ideal. "Limit your intake of solid fats, such as butter, lard, and shortening, as these have high amounts of saturated fat," Johnston noted. She also suggests keeping coconut oil to a minimum for the same reason.

• Oils, including olive oil, avocado oil, and walnut oil
• Avocado
• Nuts, including walnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, and Brazil nuts

Fruit is OK in moderation, but make sure you're aware of just how many carbs and sugars are in the fruits you choose. "Keep fruit to two whole pieces or half-cup servings per day," Johnston told POPSUGAR. Here are some suggestions.

• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Blackberries
• Cranberries
• Grapefruit
• Kiwi
• Cantaloupe
• Lemon
• Lime