The keto diet is a great way to switch to a healthier lifestyle. But can you eat cherries on keto? The answer is yes – but you need to watch how many you are consuming. Cherries are slightly higher in carbs than other fruits, so you need to be mindful of your portion size.
A small handful of cherries can fit into a ketogenic diet, but like any food on a low carb diet, it’s important to watch your portion size and count your carbs. Enjoy your cherries in moderation for the best results.
Is it Possible to Enjoy Cherries While Following a Keto Diet?
The keto diet is becoming increasingly popular and has attracted many health-conscious individuals who want to remain fit while also taking care of their eating habits. While some may be uncertain on whether certain fruits and food items are allowed on a keto diet in general, others may be wondering if it’s possible to enjoy something as decadent as a sweet, juicy cherry while still following the keto diet.
Luckily, the answer is yes! Cherries are a low-carb, high-nutrition fruit, making them a great snack for those on a keto diet. As a bonus, cherries are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them a nutritious snack and ideal for a low-carb diet.
- The first step to including cherries in your keto diet is to determine the type of cherry you’re looking to enjoy. Pitted cherries are usually found fresh which are high in fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. However, pitted cherries are also high in sugar and can be enjoyed in moderation on a keto diet. If you’re looking for something better suited to following a strict keto diet, unsweetened dried cherries are a great alternative. These contain no added sugar, so they are much lower in carbs and are great for snacking.
When including cherries in your diet, try to stick to a prescribed portion size, depending on the calorie and carb count of each type of cherry. For instance, 8 pitted cherries contain 19.2g of carbohydrates and are considered a medium glycemic index food, so if keto is your goal you should consume a smaller portion. On the other hand, 1 oz of dried cherries or 4 fresh cherries contain just 6.7g of carbs, making them a better option for someone on a keto diet.
It’s also important to bear in mind that while fresh cherries contain healthy nutrients, they may be higher in calories and natural sugars, so moderate consumption is still advised. If you’re looking to accelerate your weight loss on a keto diet, you can combine moderate consumption of cherries with other low-carb foods, such as lean proteins and healthy fats.
The Role of Cherries in a Low-Carb, High-Fat Keto Diet
The ketogenic diet is based on the concept of increasing the intake of healthy fats while reducing carbs, which puts the body in a state of nutritional ketosis where it relies on fat, instead of carbohydrates, as its main source of fuel. This high-fat, low-carb diet has become increasingly popular for its potential to reduce inflammation, improve mental clarity, and aid in weight loss.
When it comes to incorporating cherries into a keto diet, it’s important to pay attention to the carb content as anything over 8 grams of carbs per cup isn’t really considered to be keto-friendly. Fortunately, there are a variety of cherry varieties that keep the carb content low, such as the well-known Montmorency tart cherry or the smaller, sweeter Rainier.
Adding cherries to a keto diet has some impressive benefits. As with other fruits, cherries provide many essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, potassium, and fiber as well as phytonutrients, which are compounds found naturally in plants that can provide a range of health benefits.
For example, the antioxidants such as quercetin and anthocyanins found in cherries are known to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation, support proper immune function and improve overall health.
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