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
LimitedChickpeas 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
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber | Net Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | 378kcal | 20.5g | 6g | 63g | 12.2g | 50.8g |
| Cooked (boiled) | 164kcal | 8.9g | 2.6g | 27.4g | 7.6g | 19.8g |
| Canned | 139kcal | 7.1g | 2.5g | 22.6g | 5.4g | 17.2g |
Lentils
LimitedWith 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
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber | Net Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | 352kcal | 24.6g | 1.1g | 63.4g | 10.7g | 52.7g |
| Cooked (boiled) | 114kcal | 9g | 0.4g | 19.5g | 7.9g | 11.6g |
Peanut Butter
LimitedPeanut 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
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber | Net Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smooth | 598kcal | 22.2g | 51.4g | 22.3g | 5g | 17.3g |
| Smooth (no salt) | 598kcal | 22.2g | 51.4g | 22.3g | 5g | 17.3g |
Not Allowed Legumes (9)
Black-Eyed Peas
Not AllowedAt 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
Canned Beans
Not AllowedWith 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
Hummus
Not AllowedAt 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
Lima Beans
Not AllowedLima 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
Mung Beans
Not AllowedAt 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
Pinto Beans
Not AllowedPinto 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
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber | Net Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | 62kcal | 5.3g | 0.9g | 11.6g | — | 11.6g |
| Cooked (boiled) | 143kcal | 9g | 0.7g | 26.2g | 9g | 17.2g |
Soybeans
Not AllowedSoybeans 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
White Beans
Not AllowedWith 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