7
DESCRIPTION OF APPROACHES
Eating Pattern
Total
Carbs
grams/day
Meat Poultry
Fish and
Shellfish
Eggs Tofu
Very Low-carb
Keto
≤30
c
No
Limit
d
No
Limit
d
No
Limit
d
No
Limit
d
—
Low-carb Keto 30–50
c
No
Limit
d
No
Limit
d
No
Limit
d
No
Limit
d
—
Mediterranean 50–150
No
Limit
d
No
Limit
d
No
Limit
d
No
Limit
d
No
Limit
d
Paleo
e
50–150
No
Limit
d
No
Limit
d
No
Limit
d
No
Limit
d
—
Primal
e
50–150
No
Limit
d
No
Limit
d
No
Limit
d
No
Limit
d
—
Vegetarian 100–150 — — —
No
Limit
d
No
Limit
d
Eating Pattern
Total
Carbs
grams/
day
Non-
Starchy
Veggies
Starchy
Veggies
b
Leafy
Greens
Berries Fruit Grains
Very Low-carb
Keto
≤30
c
1 cup — 2 cups — — —
Low-carb Keto 30–50
c
2 cups 1 cup 2 cups 1/2 cup 1 cup —
Mediterranean 50–150 3 cups 1 cup
No
Limit
d
1 cup 1 cup 2 svgs
Paleo
e
50–150 3 cups 1 cup
No
Limit
d
1/2 cup
1/2
cup
—
Primal
e
50–150 3 cups 1 cup
No
Limit
d
— — —
Vegetarian
100–
150
No
Limit
d
No
Limit
d
No
Limit
d
1 cup 1 cup 4 svgs
Table 1. Low-carb Eating Patterns
a
Carbohydrates
Note: "No Limit" does not mean "eat to excess". Enjoy these foods, eat slowly and mindfully, but
you do not need to count servings or grams.
a
This table is based on the most common approaches, and some variants of each nutritional
approach may differ slightly from the table.
b
Examples are potatoes, corn, peas, beans/legumes, acorn or butternut squash, carrots, parsnips.
c
Suggest a minimum of 15 grams total carbs daily in the form of non-starchy vegetables.
d
May be consumed to satiety. While no limit is specified for these foods, consuming them
excessively or beyond satiety can adversely impact weight management.
e
Paleo/Primal food quality emphasized: grass-fed beef, grass-fed butter, limiting omega-6 fatty
acids (vegetable oil, seed oil). Major difference between the two is that Primal allows dairy,
nightshade vegetables, and legumes.
