Foods that are gluten-free are often thought to be low-carb because they lack wheat flour. While it is true that wheat flour is a source of carbohydrates, gluten-free foods often contain other ingredients that are just as high if not higher in carbohydrates than flour.

For example, may gluten-free recipes contain rice flour, which is less glutinous than wheat flour. It does however, contain carbohydrates, and especially white rice flour contains quite a few. It is specifically not low in carbohydrates.

Gluten-free recipes may also call for honey and/or sugar. They may include high carbohydrate fruits. Those avoiding carbohydrates are especially cautioned to avoid sugar. It is one of the richest sources of empty calories on the planet. As well, honey, and sugar substitutes like fructose are high in carbohydrates.

While low carbohydrate diets may offer high fiber green vegetables or salad, most fruits are usually off-limits. Thus gluten-free recipes that include fruits like bananas are not acceptable to the low carbohydrate dieter.

Some products are marketed as both low-carb and gluten-free, which may be helpful to those who have celiac disease and who are also trying a low-carb diet to lose weight. Most products will list carbohydrate content, and the trick to analyzing carbohydrates is to evaluate the source of the carbohydrates. When the carbs come primarily from sugars, the food is not low-carb. If the carbs are from high level of dietary fibers, then they are probably good choices.

Some gluten-free foods, like those with potato flour may have more carbohydrates than whole grain flours, or even wheat flour. While these foods may be of advantage to those avoiding wheat gluten, those following an Atkins or South Beach type diet would do best to avoid these substitutions entirely.

One can take some gluten-free recipes and significantly lower the carbohydrates, merely by eliminating or replacing the sugars in the recipes with either aspartame or Splenda®. When one is on a modified Atkins or South Beach diet, these modified recipes may be considered acceptable.