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Table of Contents
Embarking on a new eating plan can feel like navigating a maze, especially with so much information (and often misinformation) out there.
Low carb diets have become popular because they help people lose weight and improve their health.
By cutting down on breads, pasta, sweets, and starchy sides, your body is more likely to burn stored fat for energy.
Studies suggest that low carb diets often produce faster short term weight loss than higher-carb diets, though long-term weight loss tends to be similar when calories are equated.
In this guide, you’ll get a free 7 day low carb meal plan with low carb recipes and a complete grocery list.
This low carb diet plan combines lean proteins, non-starchy vegetables, and healthy fats to keep you full and energized, while keeping your daily net carbs around 150 grams.
What is a Low Carb Diet?
A low-carb diet (or low carbohydrate diet) involves limiting your intake of carbohydrates, primarily found in sugary foods, grains, and starchy vegetables.
The goal is to shift your body’s primary fuel source from glucose (from carbs) to fat, a metabolic state known as ketosis (though not all low carb diet plans aim for strict ketosis).
When you limit carbs (especially refined ones), your body eventually starts burning stored fat.
Early weight loss on low-carb plans often comes from water and glycogen depletion, but sustained weight loss happens as long as you keep fat and protein moderate and calories controlled.
Keep in mind that very strict low carb diets (like the keto diet) can raise LDL (“bad”) cholesterol in some people and may cause short-term side effects such as headaches, fatigue, or constipation, as your body adapts.
Staying hydrated, getting enough electrolytes (salt, potassium), and eating fiber-rich veggies and high-protein foods can ease these issues.
Why Choose a Low Carbohydrate Diet?
People opt for a low carb diet for weight loss and various other health reasons. Some potential benefits include:
- Weight Management: By reducing carb intake, you often naturally consume fewer calories and may experience increased satiety, leading to weight loss.
- Blood Sugar Control: For individuals with type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance, a low carbohydrate diet can help stabilize blood sugar levels.
- Improved Cholesterol Levels: Some studies suggest that a low carb diet can positively impact cholesterol levels by increasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol and decreasing triglycerides.
- Reduced Cravings: By stabilizing blood sugar, many people find they experience fewer energy crashes and sugar cravings.
- Increased Energy Levels: Once your body adapts to burning fat for fuel, you might experience more consistent energy levels throughout the day.
7 Day Low Carb Meal Plan
This easy low carb meal plan features high protein low carb meals designed to keep you full, energized, and on track with your weight loss goals.
Featuring lean meats, fresh non-starchy vegetables, and wholesome fats, this low carb diet plan helps you stay full throughout the day while keeping net carbs around 150 grams.

Day 1
Breakfast:
- Keto Breakfast Egg Muffins: Fluffy egg muffins baked with spinach, bell peppers, and a touch of cheese, perfect for a protein-packed, grab-and-go low-carb breakfast.
Lunch:
- Mediterranean Greek Salad: Fresh romaine, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and feta tossed in olive oil and lemon juice, topped with grilled chicken slices for a protein boost.
Dinner:
- Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs: Juicy, smoky chicken thighs grilled to perfection and served with roasted balsamic maple glazed carrots for a flavorful low carb dinner.
Snacks:
- Cucumber Roll-Ups: Thin cucumber slices wrapped around cream cheese mixed with fresh herbs are fun to eat and low in carbs.
- Mixed Seeds: Pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds toasted lightly with a pinch of salt are crunchy and nutrient-dense, low carb snacks.

Day 2
Breakfast:
- Low Carb Breakfast Burrito: A flavorful scramble of eggs, sausage, and cheese wrapped in a low-carb tortilla or a large lettuce leaf for a fulfilling start to the day.
Lunch:
- Asian Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim): Crisp cucumbers tossed in a savory and spicy Korean-inspired dressing, garnished with sesame seeds and scallions for a refreshing, crunchy low-carb lunch.
Dinner:
- Lamb Rogan Josh: Tender lamb simmered in a fragrant, spiced tomato curry, served over cauliflower rice for a comforting, low-carb dinner on this classic Indian dish.
Snacks:
- Greek Yogurt with Cinnamon: Plain Greek yogurt sprinkled with cinnamon and a few chopped nuts if desired.
- Cucumber & Tzatziki: Sliced cucumber rounds dipped in tzatziki (Greek yogurt sauce with cucumber and garlic).

Day 3
Breakfast:
- Healthy Scotch Eggs: A high protein low carb breakfast classic featuring a hard-boiled egg wrapped in a seasoned ground pork mixture, then baked or air-fried for a healthier twist.
Lunch:
- Sesame Crusted Tuna with Mango Salsa: Fresh tuna seared with a sesame crust, paired with bright mango salsa and creamy avocado for a light, low-carb lunch.
Dinner:
- Creamy Tarragon Chicken: Tender chicken breast cooked in a creamy tarragon sauce with garlic and shallots, served alongside roasted green beans for a healthy, low carb dinner.
Snacks:
- Bell Pepper Slices with Guacamole: Crunchy strips of red or green bell pepper dipped in homemade guacamole (avocado mashed with lime and garlic).
- Mixed Nuts: A handful of mixed nuts (almonds, pecans, macadamias), a perfect combination of healthy fats and protein, for a low-carb snack.

Day 4
Breakfast:
- Cheese Omelet with Turkey Sausage: This fluffy omelet is stuffed with a blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheese, paired with natural turkey sausage patties for a healthy, protein-packed, low carb breakfast.
Lunch:
- Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Shrimp: Juicy shrimp tossed in garlic and parmesan seasoning and air-fried for a quick, delicious, and low-carb lunch.
Dinner:
- Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken with Roasted Vegetables: Juicy chicken slow-cooked in lemon and herbs, served with zucchini or cauliflower for a healthy, low carb dinner.
Snacks:
- Hard-Boiled Eggs & Cherry Tomatoes: Two hard-boiled eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper, and a handful of juicy cherry tomatoes.
- Walnuts & Berries: A small handful of walnuts paired with a few extra berries.

Day 5
Breakfast:
- Sweet Onion Egg Frittata: A fluffy frittata filled with caramelized sweet onions and a trio of cheeses: cheddar, Swiss, and Parmesan, served alongside turkey sausage links for a keto breakfast.
Lunch:
- Tomato Basil Soup with Roasted Red Pepper: A creamy, flavorful soup made from roasted vegetables, perfect for a light yet comforting low-carb lunch.
Dinner:
- Coconut Curry Salmon Soup: Salmon fillets cooked in a rich, flavorful broth made with coconut milk, Thai red curry paste, and fresh vegetables for a healthy and delicious low carb dinner.
Snacks:
- Greek Yogurt Parfait: Plain unsweetened Greek yogurt layered with a few fresh berries (like strawberries or blueberries) and a sprinkle of chopped walnuts.
- Celery Sticks with Almond Butter: Crisp celery stalks dipped in unsweetened almond butter.

Day 6
Breakfast:
- Artichoke, Spinach & Red Pepper Egg Frittata with Turkey Sausage: A colorful frittata loaded with artichokes, roasted red pepper, fresh spinach, and crumbled feta cheese, garnished with sautéed spinach, and served with turkey sausage on the side.
Lunch:
- Balsamic Maple Glazed Carrots: Tender roasted carrots lightly glazed with balsamic vinegar and a hint of sugar-free maple syrup, adding natural sweetness, is one of the perfect low carb meals.
Dinner:
- Pan Fried Pork Chops: Crispy pan-fried pork paired with steamed cabbage, assorted vegetables, creamy avocado slices, and fresh leafy greens.
Snacks:
- Trail Mix “Pick-Me-Up”: A blend of raw cashews, almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and a few raisins.
- Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Bites: Homemade bites made with a layer of dark chocolate surrounding a low carb peanut butter filling.

Day 7
Breakfast:
- Mushroom Egg Frittata with Chicken Sausage Home Fries: This savory frittata combines caramelized onions and mushrooms for deep flavor, accompanied by chicken sausage home fries on the side for a hearty, low-carb breakfast option.
Lunch:
- Cucumber Avocado Salad: This easy salad is a refreshing blend of creamy avocado and crunchy cucumber, tossed with fresh herbs and a zesty dressing, for a low carb lunch.
Dinner:
- Oven Braised Lamb Shanks: Tender lamb shanks slow-cooked until fall-off-the-bone tender in a rich and savory broth, and served with green peas and cauliflower mash for a flavorful low carb dinner.
Snacks:
- Dark Chocolate Squares: 1 to 2 squares of sugar-free dark chocolate for a sweet treat at day’s end.
- Almond & Berry Mix: A refreshing combination of raw almonds, blueberries, and raspberries for antioxidants and crunch.
Key Foods for a Low Carb Diet Plan
In a low carbohydrate diet plan, you focus on low carb foods like proteins, fats, and vegetables, while minimizing breads, grains, sweets, and starchy sides. Here are some general guidelines:
1. Proteins
- Animal proteins and most fish have virtually no carbs and should form the core of your meals.
- Good protein choices include chicken breast, turkey, lean beef, pork, tofu, salmon, tuna, shrimp, and eggs.
2. Non-Starchy Vegetables
- Think leafy greens (spinach, kale), cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts), peppers, zucchini, asparagus, and more.
- They provide fiber, vitamins, and volume for very few carbs.
- Starchy veggies like potatoes or corn should be limited or replaced with cauliflower or other low-carb substitutes.
3. Fruits in Moderation
- Most fruits are higher in sugar, so they’re limited on strict low carb diets.
- Small portions of low sugar fruits (berries, green apples, citrus, grape fruits) can fit.
- Avocado and olives are fruits and are very low in carbs, so they’re welcome on a low carb diet plan.
4. Dairy
- Full-fat cheese, Greek yogurt, and many cheeses can be included in moderation (check for added sugars).
- These add protein and fat with relatively few carbs.
5. Nuts & Seeds
- Almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, etc., are popular low carb snacks and salad toppers.
- They provide healthy fats and a bit of protein.
6. Oils & Fats
- Olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, butter, and ghee are all zero carb cooking fats.
- Use these to sauté veggies, dress salads, or add richness to dishes.
7. Seasonings & Beverages
- Herbs, spices, vinegar, lemon, mustard, and unsweetened condiments (hot sauce, soy sauce) are fine.
- Drink water, unsweetened tea, or coffee.
- Avoid sugary drinks like soda or fruit juice.
Final Remarks
This 7 day low carb diet plan offers a balanced approach to weight loss, combining protein-packed meals, fresh non-starchy vegetables, and healthy fats to keep you satisfied and energized.
By focusing on nutrient-dense foods and limiting net carbs, you can enjoy delicious meals while supporting your health and fitness goals.
Remember to focus on whole, unprocessed low carb foods, stay consistent, and enjoy the journey.
With these low carb meals, managing cravings, staying full, and reaching your weight loss goals can become simpler and more enjoyable than you ever thought possible.
Also check out;
- High protein meal plan
- Low carb high protein recipes
- Clean eating for beginners
- Strict carnivore diet for beginners
- Healthy meals for the family
FAQs
How many carbs should you eat on a low carb diet?
Typically, a low carb diet involves consuming less than 150 grams of net carbohydrates per day, and sometimes as low as 50 grams for a ketogenic approach.
Do I count “net carbs” or total carbs?
Many low-carb followers track net carbs (total carbs minus fiber and certain sugar alcohols) because fiber doesn’t spike blood sugar.
How is a low carb diet different from a keto diet?
A ketogenic diet typically limits carbs to about 50g per day to induce ketosis (fat-burning mode), whereas a low carb diet might allow up to 150g of carbs daily.
Is a low-carb diet safe? Any side effects?
For most healthy people, a low carb diet is safe when done properly.
Short-term side effects can include “keto flu” symptoms (headache, fatigue, dizziness) as the body adjusts, and constipation may occur if you don’t eat enough fiber.
These usually pass within a few weeks; drinking water and getting electrolytes (salt, potassium) helps.
What foods should I avoid on a low carb diet?
You’ll want to avoid high carb foods such as bread, pasta, rice, cereal, beans, potatoes, corn, and all sugary foods or drinks.
Also cut out sweets (candy, pastries, ice cream), sugar-laden condiments, and most fruit juices or sweetened beverages.