Low-Carb Legumes Guide

12 items classified under standard Low-Carb guidelines.

How do legumes fare on the Low-Carb diet? The answer depends on carbohydrate content. This guide breaks down all 12 items in this category with their classification, nutritional data, and the reasoning behind each status.

Quick Reference

Food Status Net carbs (per 100g)
Chickpeas Limited 50.8g
Lentils Limited 52.7g
Peanut Butter Limited 14g
Black-Eyed Peas Not Allowed 13.3g
Canned Beans Not Allowed 15.5g
Hummus Not Allowed 9.5g
Lima Beans Not Allowed 15.3g
Mung Beans Not Allowed 46.3g
Navy Beans Not Allowed 45.5g
Pinto Beans Not Allowed 16g
Soybeans Not Allowed 6.8g
White Beans Not Allowed 17.4g

Classification Breakdown

3 Limited — These items have a carb load that fits some low-carb versions but not the stricter ones. 9 Not Allowed — These are high enough in carbohydrates to crowd out the rest of the day on most low-carb plans.

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.

Limited Legumes (3)

Chickpeas

Limited

Chickpeas is classified as Limited on Low-Carb, with 50.8g net carbs per 100g. This means it is a carb load that fits some low-carb versions but not the stricter ones. It also contains 20.5g protein and 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 Mung Beans at 46.3g. 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
Dry378kcal20.5g6g63g12.2g50.8g
Cooked (boiled)164kcal8.9g2.6g27.4g7.6g19.8g
Canned139kcal7.1g2.5g22.6g5.4g17.2g

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Lentils

Limited

With 52.7g net carbs per 100g, Lentils earns a Limited classification on Low-Carb. It is a carb load that fits some low-carb versions but not the stricter ones. Beyond the primary classification, lentils also provides 24.6g protein and 10.7g fiber per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for net carbs. The nearest lower option is Chickpeas at 50.8g. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiberNet Carbs
Dry352kcal24.6g1.1g63.4g10.7g52.7g
Cooked (boiled)114kcal9g0.4g19.5g7.9g11.6g

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Peanut Butter

Limited

Peanut Butter is classified as Limited on Low-Carb, with 14g net carbs per 100g. This means it is a carb load that fits some low-carb versions but not the stricter ones. It also contains 25.1g protein and 50.4g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Black-Eyed Peas and Lima Beans for net carbs, ranking 4 of 12. 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
Smooth598kcal22.2g51.4g22.3g5g17.3g
Smooth (no salt)598kcal22.2g51.4g22.3g5g17.3g

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Not Allowed Legumes (9)

Black-Eyed Peas

Not Allowed

At 13.3g net carbs per 100g, Black-Eyed Peas falls into the Not Allowed category under Low-Carb guidelines. The classification reflects that it is high enough in carbohydrates to crowd out the rest of the day on most low-carb plans. Nutritionally, it also delivers 7.2g protein and 7g fat per serving. Among the 12 items in this category, black-eyed peas sits at the low end for net carbs — next closest is Peanut Butter at 14g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

166kcalCalories
7.2gProtein
7gFat
19.3gCarbs
6gFiber
13.3gNet Carbs

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Canned Beans

Not Allowed

With 15.5g net carbs per 100g, Canned Beans earns a Not Allowed classification on Low-Carb. It is high enough in carbohydrates to crowd out the rest of the day on most low-carb plans. Beyond the primary classification, canned beans also provides 8.3g protein and 7.1g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Lima Beans and Pinto Beans for net carbs, ranking 6 of 12.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

189kcalCalories
8.3gProtein
7.1gFat
23.8gCarbs
8.3gFiber
15.5gNet Carbs

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Hummus

Not Allowed

At 9.5g net carbs per 100g, Hummus falls into the Not Allowed category under Low-Carb guidelines. The classification reflects that it is high enough in carbohydrates to crowd out the rest of the day on most low-carb plans. Nutritionally, it also delivers 7.8g protein and 17.8g fat per serving. Among the 12 items in this category, hummus sits at the low end for net carbs — next closest is Black-Eyed Peas at 13.3g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

237kcalCalories
7.8gProtein
17.8gFat
15gCarbs
5.5gFiber
9.5gNet Carbs

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Lima Beans

Not Allowed

Lima Beans is classified as Not Allowed on Low-Carb, with 15.3g net carbs per 100g. The classification reflects that it is high enough in carbohydrates to crowd out the rest of the day on most low-carb plans. Nutritionally, it also delivers 6.8g protein and 4.9g fiber per serving. Within this category, it falls between Peanut Butter and Canned Beans for net carbs, ranking 5 of 12.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

113kcalCalories
6.8gProtein
0.9gFat
20.2gCarbs
4.9gFiber
15.3gNet Carbs

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Mung Beans

Not Allowed

At 46.3g net carbs per 100g, Mung Beans falls into the Not Allowed category under Low-Carb guidelines. It is high enough in carbohydrates to crowd out the rest of the day on most low-carb plans. Beyond the primary classification, mung beans also provides 23.9g protein and 16.3g fiber per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for net carbs. The nearest lower option is Navy Beans at 45.5g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

347kcalCalories
23.9gProtein
1.2gFat
62.6gCarbs
16.3gFiber
46.3gNet Carbs

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Pinto Beans

Not Allowed

Pinto Beans is classified as Not Allowed on Low-Carb, with 16g net carbs per 100g. The classification reflects that it is high enough in carbohydrates to crowd out the rest of the day on most low-carb plans. Nutritionally, it also delivers 8.4g protein and 7.1g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Canned Beans and White Beans for net carbs, ranking 7 of 12.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiberNet Carbs
Dry62kcal5.3g0.9g11.6g11.6g
Cooked (boiled)143kcal9g0.7g26.2g9g17.2g

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Soybeans

Not Allowed

Soybeans is classified as Not Allowed on Low-Carb, with 6.8g net carbs per 100g. The classification reflects that it is high enough in carbohydrates to crowd out the rest of the day on most low-carb plans. Nutritionally, it also delivers 13g protein and 6.8g fat per serving. Among the 12 items in this category, soybeans sits at the low end for net carbs — next closest is Hummus at 9.5g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

147kcalCalories
13gProtein
6.8gFat
11gCarbs
4.2gFiber
6.8gNet Carbs

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White Beans

Not Allowed

With 17.4g net carbs per 100g, White Beans earns a Not Allowed classification on Low-Carb. It is high enough in carbohydrates to crowd out the rest of the day on most low-carb plans. Beyond the primary classification, white beans also provides 9g protein and 6.8g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Pinto Beans and Navy Beans for net carbs, ranking 8 of 12.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

188kcalCalories
9gProtein
6.8gFat
23.3gCarbs
5.9gFiber
17.4gNet Carbs

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