Low-Carb Dairy Guide

16 items classified under standard Low-Carb guidelines.

This guide covers all 16 dairy classified under Low-Carb guidelines. Low-Carb evaluates foods primarily by carbohydrate content, which determines how each item in this category is classified.

Dairy are overwhelmingly compatible with Low-Carb. Each item listed here is low enough in carbohydrates to fit within a typical low-carb daily target. The entries below break down the specific nutritional profile so you can choose based on your individual targets — calories, macros, or micronutrients that matter for your goals.

Quick Reference

Food Status Net carbs (per 100g)
Brie Allowed 0.5g
Buttermilk Allowed 4.8g
Cheddar Allowed 2.1g
Cheese Allowed 3.5g
Cottage Cheese Allowed 4.3g
Feta Allowed 3.9g
Goat Cheese Allowed 0g
Ice Cream Allowed 37.1g
Mac and Cheese Allowed 18.5g
Mozzarella Allowed 1.7g
Parmesan Allowed 40g
Ricotta Allowed 7.3g
Swiss Cheese Allowed 8.7g
Whipped Cream Allowed 12.5g
Yogurt Allowed 13.6g
Milk Limited 4.8g

Classification Breakdown

15 Allowed — These dairy are low enough in carbohydrates to fit within a typical low-carb daily target. 1 Limited — These items have a carb load that fits some low-carb versions but not the stricter ones.

Low-carb spans from about 150g/day down to 20g/day, so the same food can be in or out depending on which end of the spectrum.

Allowed Dairy (15)

Brie

Allowed

At 0.5g net carbs per 100g, Brie falls into the Allowed category under Low-Carb guidelines. The classification reflects that it is low enough in carbohydrates to fit within a typical low-carb daily target. Nutritionally, it also delivers 20.8g protein and 27.7g fat per serving. Among the 16 items in this category, brie sits at the low end for net carbs — next closest is Mozzarella at 1.7g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

334kcalCalories
20.8gProtein
27.7gFat
0.5gCarbs
0gFiber
0.5gNet Carbs

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Buttermilk

Allowed

With 4.8g net carbs per 100g, Buttermilk earns a Allowed classification on Low-Carb. This means it is low enough in carbohydrates to fit within a typical low-carb daily target. Within this category, it falls between Cottage Cheese and Milk for net carbs, ranking 8 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

40kcalCalories
3.3gProtein
0.9gFat
4.8gCarbs
0gFiber
4.8gNet Carbs

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Cheddar

Allowed

With 2.1g net carbs per 100g, Cheddar earns a Allowed classification on Low-Carb. This means it is low enough in carbohydrates to fit within a typical low-carb daily target. It also contains 24.2g protein and 33.8g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 16 items in this category, cheddar sits at the low end for net carbs — next closest is Cheese at 3.5g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

410kcalCalories
24.2gProtein
33.8gFat
2.1gCarbs
0gFiber
2.1gNet Carbs

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Cheese

Allowed

Cheese is classified as Allowed on Low-Carb, with 3.5g net carbs per 100g. This means it is low enough in carbohydrates to fit within a typical low-carb daily target. It also contains 7.1g protein and 28.6g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Cheddar and Feta for net carbs, ranking 5 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiberNet Carbs
Cheddar409kcal23.3g34g2.4g0g2.4g
Mozzarella299kcal22.2g22.1g2.4g0g2.4g
Swiss393kcal27g31g1.4g1.4g

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Cottage Cheese

Allowed

Cottage Cheese is classified as Allowed on Low-Carb, with 4.3g net carbs per 100g. This means it is low enough in carbohydrates to fit within a typical low-carb daily target. It also contains 11g protein and 9.7g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Feta and Buttermilk for net carbs, ranking 7 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiberNet Carbs
Full-Fat (4%)103kcal11.6g4.2g4.6g0g4.6g
Low-Fat (1%)72kcal12.4g1g2.7g0g2.7g

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Feta

Allowed

At 3.9g net carbs per 100g, Feta falls into the Allowed category under Low-Carb guidelines. The classification reflects that it is low enough in carbohydrates to fit within a typical low-carb daily target. Nutritionally, it also delivers 14.2g protein and 21.5g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Cheese and Cottage Cheese for net carbs, ranking 6 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

265kcalCalories
14.2gProtein
21.5gFat
3.9gCarbs
0gFiber
3.9gNet Carbs

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Goat Cheese

Allowed

Goat Cheese is classified as Allowed on Low-Carb, with 0g net carbs per 100g. This means it is low enough in carbohydrates to fit within a typical low-carb daily target. It also contains 26.9g protein and 392mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 16 items in this category, goat cheese sits at the low end for net carbs — next closest is Brie at 0.5g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

142kcalCalories
26.9gProtein
3gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber
0gNet Carbs

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Ice Cream

Allowed

With 37.1g net carbs per 100g, Ice Cream earns a Allowed classification on Low-Carb. This means it is low enough in carbohydrates to fit within a typical low-carb daily target. It also contains 8.6g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for net carbs. The nearest lower option is Mac and Cheese at 18.5g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

237kcalCalories
4.3gProtein
8.6gFat
37.1gCarbs
0gFiber
37.1gNet Carbs

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Mac and Cheese

Allowed

Mac and Cheese is classified as Allowed on Low-Carb, with 18.5g net carbs per 100g. This means it is low enough in carbohydrates to fit within a typical low-carb daily target. It also contains 11.8g protein and 15g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for net carbs. The nearest lower option is Yogurt at 13.6g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

257kcalCalories
11.8gProtein
15gFat
20.1gCarbs
1.6gFiber
18.5gNet Carbs

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Mozzarella

Allowed

With 1.7g net carbs per 100g, Mozzarella earns a Allowed classification on Low-Carb. This means it is low enough in carbohydrates to fit within a typical low-carb daily target. It also contains 31.7g protein and 743mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 16 items in this category, mozzarella sits at the low end for net carbs — next closest is Cheddar at 2.1g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

141kcalCalories
31.7gProtein
0gFat
3.5gCarbs
1.8gFiber
1.7gNet Carbs

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Parmesan

Allowed

With 40g net carbs per 100g, Parmesan earns a Allowed classification on Low-Carb. This means it is low enough in carbohydrates to fit within a typical low-carb daily target. It also contains 40g protein and 1150mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for net carbs. The nearest lower option is Ice Cream at 37.1g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

370kcalCalories
40gProtein
5gFat
40gCarbs
0gFiber
40gNet Carbs

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Ricotta

Allowed

With 7.3g net carbs per 100g, Ricotta earns a Allowed classification on Low-Carb. It is low enough in carbohydrates to fit within a typical low-carb daily target. Beyond the primary classification, ricotta also provides 7.5g protein and 10.2g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Milk and Swiss Cheese for net carbs, ranking 10 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

150kcalCalories
7.5gProtein
10.2gFat
7.3gCarbs
0gFiber
7.3gNet Carbs

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Swiss Cheese

Allowed

With 8.7g net carbs per 100g, Swiss Cheese earns a Allowed classification on Low-Carb. This means it is low enough in carbohydrates to fit within a typical low-carb daily target. It also contains 16.4g protein and 21.2g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Ricotta and Whipped Cream for net carbs, ranking 11 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

290kcalCalories
16.4gProtein
21.2gFat
8.7gCarbs
0gFiber
8.7gNet Carbs

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Whipped Cream

Allowed

Whipped Cream is classified as Allowed on Low-Carb, with 12.5g net carbs per 100g. This means it is low enough in carbohydrates to fit within a typical low-carb daily target. It also contains 22.2g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Swiss Cheese and Yogurt for net carbs, ranking 12 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

257kcalCalories
3.2gProtein
22.2gFat
12.5gCarbs
0gFiber
12.5gNet Carbs

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Yogurt

Allowed

With 13.6g net carbs per 100g, Yogurt earns a Allowed classification on Low-Carb. This means it is low enough in carbohydrates to fit within a typical low-carb daily target. It ranks among the highest in this category for net carbs. The nearest lower option is Whipped Cream at 12.5g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiberNet Carbs
Plain Whole Milk Yogurt61kcal3.5g3.3g4.7g0g4.7g
Plain Low-Fat Yogurt63kcal5.3g1.6g7g0g7g
Plain Nonfat Yogurt56kcal5.7g0.2g7.7g0g7.7g

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Limited Dairy (1)

Milk

Limited

Milk is classified as Limited on Low-Carb, with 4.8g net carbs per 100g. This means it is a carb load that fits some low-carb versions but not the stricter ones. Within this category, it falls between Buttermilk and Ricotta for net carbs, ranking 9 of 16. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiberNet Carbs
Whole Milk60kcal3.3g3.2g4.6g4.6g
2% Milk50kcal3.3g2g4.8g0g4.8g
Skim Milk35kcal3.4g0.2g4.9g0g4.9g

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