Low Carb Food in Singapore: Where to Buy and What to Choose

Finding low carb food in Singapore is easier than most people think. From neighbourhood supermarkets to wet markets and online platforms, the options have expanded significantly in recent years. The real challenge is not availability — it is knowing what to look for.

Whether you are following a low carb diet, exploring healthy keto, or simply trying to reduce your carbohydrate intake, this guide covers exactly what to buy, where to find it, and how to make smart choices when eating out.

Low Carb Proteins Available in Singapore

Protein is the foundation of any low carb diet. The good news is that most unprocessed proteins are naturally very low in carbohydrates. The key is choosing lean, minimally processed options.

Food	Net Carbs per 100 g	Where to Buy
Chicken breast (skinless)	0 g	FairPrice, Cold Storage, Sheng Siong, wet markets
Salmon fillet	0 g	Cold Storage, FairPrice Finest, wet markets
Prawns	0.2 g	Wet markets, FairPrice, Sheng Siong
Eggs (2 large)	1.1 g	All supermarkets, provision shops
Firm tofu	1.9 g	FairPrice, Sheng Siong, wet markets
Tempeh	3.5 g	FairPrice, Cold Storage, Sheng Siong
Mackerel	0 g	Wet markets, FairPrice
Squid	1.4 g	Wet markets, Cold Storage
Minced chicken	0 g	FairPrice, Cold Storage, Sheng Siong
Canned tuna (in water)	0 g	All supermarkets

Tip: Wet markets generally offer fresher seafood at lower prices than supermarkets. Visit early in the morning for the best selection. Ask your fishmonger to clean and fillet the fish — most do this free of charge.

Low Carb Vegetables and Greens

Vegetables should make up the bulk of your plate on a low carb diet. Non-starchy vegetables are extremely low in net carbs while providing essential fibre, vitamins, and minerals.

Vegetable	Net Carbs per 100 g	Where to Buy
Kangkong (water spinach)	0.6 g	Wet markets, FairPrice, Sheng Siong
Bok choy	0.8 g	All supermarkets, wet markets
Spinach	1.4 g	Cold Storage, FairPrice, wet markets
Broccoli	4.0 g	All supermarkets, wet markets
Cauliflower	3.0 g	FairPrice, Cold Storage
Cucumber	1.5 g	All supermarkets, wet markets
Capsicum (bell pepper)	3.5 g	Cold Storage, FairPrice Finest
Mushrooms (shiitake)	4.3 g	All supermarkets, wet markets
Cabbage	3.3 g	All supermarkets, wet markets
Long beans	4.7 g	Wet markets, FairPrice, Sheng Siong

Avoid: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, and tapioca — these starchy vegetables contain 15–25 g of net carbs per 100 g.

Healthy Fats for a Low Carb Diet

When you reduce carbohydrates, healthy fats become your primary energy source. The Healthy Ketogenic Diet (HKD) developed by Dr. Lim Su Lin at NUH emphasises unsaturated fats, which support heart health while providing sustained energy.

Food	Net Carbs per Serving	Where to Buy
Extra virgin olive oil (1 tbsp)	0 g	Cold Storage, FairPrice Finest, iHerb
Avocado (half)	1.8 g	Cold Storage, FairPrice Finest
Almonds (30 g)	2.7 g	All supermarkets, Shopee, Lazada
Walnuts (30 g)	2.0 g	Cold Storage, FairPrice, iHerb
Chia seeds (2 tbsp)	0.4 g	FairPrice, Cold Storage, Shopee
Flaxseeds (2 tbsp)	0.2 g	Cold Storage, iHerb, Shopee
Rice bran oil (1 tbsp)	0 g	FairPrice, Sheng Siong
Peanut butter (natural, 2 tbsp)	4.0 g	Cold Storage, FairPrice, iHerb
Macadamia nuts (30 g)	1.5 g	Cold Storage, iHerb, Lazada
Pumpkin seeds (30 g)	1.3 g	All supermarkets, Shopee

Important: Prioritise olive oil, rice bran oil, and canola oil for cooking. These unsaturated cooking oils are central to the HKD approach and offer better cardiovascular outcomes than heavily saturated alternatives.

Low Carb Snacks You Can Find Locally

Snacking is where many low carb plans fall apart. Stock up on these options to avoid reaching for biscuits or kueh:

• Mixed nuts (unsalted) — Available at all supermarkets. Buy in bulk from Shopee or Lazada for better value.
• Cheese sticks or slices — Cold Storage and FairPrice carry a good range. Cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese are all under 1 g net carbs per serving.
• Dark chocolate (85%+ cocoa) — Look for brands at Cold Storage or order via iHerb. A 20 g square has roughly 3–4 g net carbs.
• Hard-boiled eggs — Prepare a batch at the start of the week. Two eggs provide 12 g of protein with just 1 g of carbs.
• Seaweed snacks — Available at FairPrice and Sheng Siong. Most brands have under 1 g net carbs per pack.
• Edamame — Found in the frozen section of most supermarkets. A 100 g serving has about 5 g net carbs.
• Pork-free jerky alternatives — Chicken or fish jerky options are available at some supermarkets, though check labels for added sugar.

Low Carb Condiments and Sauces

Sauces can be a hidden source of carbs and sugar. Here are some low carb options:

• Soy sauce (regular) — About 1 g carbs per tablespoon. Available everywhere.
• Fish sauce — Under 1 g carbs per tablespoon. A staple in local cooking.
• Sambal belacan (homemade) — When made without sugar, it is essentially zero carb. Commercial versions often contain added sugar, so check labels.
• Apple cider vinegar — Under 1 g per tablespoon. Available at Cold Storage and FairPrice.
• Mustard — Most varieties are under 1 g per serving. Available at all supermarkets.
• Mayonnaise — Choose versions made with olive oil or canola oil. About 0.1 g carbs per tablespoon.

Watch out for: Sweet chilli sauce (8–10 g carbs per tablespoon), kecap manis (10 g per tablespoon), and oyster sauce (2–3 g per tablespoon). These add up quickly.

Low Carb Drinks

What you drink matters just as much as what you eat. Many popular Singaporean drinks are loaded with sugar.

• Water — Still the best choice. Add lemon or cucumber slices for flavour.
• Unsweetened Chinese tea — Request "kosong" (no sugar) at hawker centres and coffee shops.
• Black coffee (kopi-O kosong) — Zero carbs. Avoid kopi with condensed milk, which adds 10–15 g of sugar.
• Sparkling water — Available at Cold Storage and FairPrice. A good substitute for soft drinks.
• Unsweetened almond milk — About 0.5 g net carbs per cup. Available at Cold Storage and FairPrice.

Where to Buy Low Carb Food Online in Singapore

For specialty items that may be harder to find in local supermarkets, these platforms are reliable:

Platform	Best For	Notes
Shopee	Nuts, seeds, nut butters, bulk items	Compare sellers for best prices; check reviews
Lazada	Specialty snacks, supplements, bulk nuts	Look for official brand stores
iHerb	Almond flour, coconut flour, sugar-free items, supplements	Ships from overseas; orders above USD 43 ship free
Amazon SG	Specialty low carb products, cookbooks	Check for Prime-eligible items
RedMart (via Lazada)	Fresh groceries, organic produce	Convenient for weekly grocery deliveries

Low Carb Ordering at Hawker Centres

Hawker centres are a cornerstone of daily life in Singapore, and you do not need to avoid them on a low carb diet. Here are stall-by-stall strategies:

Yong Tau Foo

Your best hawker option. Choose tofu, eggs, leafy vegetables, mushrooms, and fish items. Ask for clear soup instead of curry gravy. Skip noodles and rice entirely — the soup and ingredients alone make a satisfying meal.

Chicken Rice Stalls

Order the chicken portion only, without rice. Ask for extra cucumber and a bowl of soup. Some stalls will give you a larger chicken portion if you skip the rice.

Western Food Stalls

Choose grilled chicken chop or fish instead of fried options. Request extra coleslaw or salad in place of fries and garlic bread.

Nasi Padang

Select steamed or grilled protein (ayam panggang, ikan bakar) with vegetable sides like sayur lodeh (check for potato) or stir-fried long beans. Ask for a small portion of rice or skip it.

Thai Food Stalls

Tom yum soup with seafood is naturally low carb. Basil chicken (pad krapow) without rice is another solid option. Avoid sweet Thai sauces.

When Convenience Matters

Planning, shopping, prepping, and cooking low carb meals every day requires significant time and effort. For busy professionals, families, and anyone who struggles with meal planning, a healthy keto meal delivery service can bridge the gap.

HealthFull, for example, delivers ready-to-eat meals based on the Healthy Ketogenic Diet principles — with the right balance of unsaturated fats, lean proteins, and low carb vegetables — so you can stay on track without spending hours in the kitchen.

Your Low Carb Shopping Checklist

Finding low carb food in Singapore is straightforward once you know where to look. To summarise:

• Stock up on lean proteins from wet markets and supermarkets
• Fill your fridge with non-starchy vegetables — the more variety, the better
• Choose unsaturated fats: olive oil, avocado, nuts, and seeds
• Read labels on snacks, sauces, and drinks — hidden sugars are everywhere
• Use online platforms for specialty items
• Learn to order smart at hawker centres

Start with a few swaps this week and build from there. You do not need to overhaul your entire pantry overnight.