Are Tomatoes Keto Friendly
Do Tomatoes Make the Keto Cut?
It can be difficult to follow a ketogenic diet. To our relief, tomatoes continue to be a reliable source of nutrition. There are few carbohydrates and few calories in this delicious fruit!
Is it okay to consume tomatoes while on a ketogenic diet?
Yep! In a 100-gram (g) portion of raw tomatoes, the majority contain less than 4 net carbohydrates. As a result, tomatoes are completely permissible on a ketogenic or low-carbohydrate diet.
A word of caution: Some tomato products contain additional sugars that can cause you to lose your ketosis state. Sauces, salsas, and liquids are some of the most common culprits.
Here’s how you can add tomato to your #KetoLife.
Are Tomatoes Keto?
“Tomatoes, which are technically a fruit, are keto-friendly,” explains Keatley. “Fruit is also keto-friendly.” According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a half cup portion of normal tomatoes has four grammes of carbohydrate and two grammes of sugar per half cup serving (USDA).
The counts, on the other hand, differ slightly depending on the sort of tomato you choose. For every half cup serving, grape tomatoes contain three grammes of carbohydrates, whereas cherry tomatoes contain six grammes of carbohydrates and four grammes of sugar. Even so, if this is included in your overall carbohydrate intake, it shouldn’t be a significant deal.
In his opinion, “if you’re on a ketogenic diet, you shouldn’t be on a zero carbohydrate diet,” says Keatley. Despite the fact that tomatoes contain carbohydrates, they contain little sugar, are high in fibre, and, perhaps most importantly, contain phytonutrients, which may be deficient on a strict ketogenic diet.
On the ketogenic diet, Keatley advocates consuming whole tomatoes rather than tomato sauce and avoiding store-bought tomato sauce if at all possible (they can be loaded with added sugar, which is definitely not keto-friendly).
If you have a tomato (or two) on any given day, you shouldn’t be concerned about ruining your ketosis. In order to disturb the balance of carbohydrates, Keatley estimates that you’d need to consume five to six medium-sized tomatoes.”
Are tomatoes keto-friendly?
Fortunately, the situation has improved. A low-carb food is raw tomatoes, which are eaten raw. The truth is that they are up there among the most keto-friendly fruits that can be found on the market. Tomatoes are a powerhouse of nutritious benefits despite their low calorie content.
What about other tomato-based products?
Not all tomato-based products are acceptable in the ketogenic diet. Some tomatoey foods, such as the following, frequently have added sugar:
- sauce de tomate
- tomato paste tomato juice adverbial phrase
- salsas
How to establish ketosis in a healthy way
In order to achieve the benefits of a ketogenic diet, you must first enter a metabolic condition known as ketosis. This occurs as a result of your body’s conversion of fat to ketones. When glucose levels are low, your flexible body makes use of these molecules as its primary source of energy during times of stress. Getting into ketosis takes a different amount of time for each individual – it can take days or weeks for some, and even months for others. The majority of people strive for 20 to 50 grammes of carbohydrates per day.
A note on net carbs
A large number of keto enthusiasts place greater emphasis on net carbohydrates than on total carbs. To calculate this, deduct the fibre content from the total carbohydrate count. This will provide you with the net carbohydrate count.
OUTSTANDING RESOURCES
Get Our Guide to Reducing the Consumption of Added Sugar
Sign up for our newsletter to receive 10 days of suggestions and recipes to help you reduce your sugar intake (while still getting to enjoy plenty of delicious treats!). In addition, you’ll receive our top stories on food, fitness, sex, and other topics.
Nutritional value of tomatoes
Discover everything you need to know about the nutritional benefits of tomatoes, including how they compare in terms of carbohydrate content.
Net carbs of different tomato varieties
Carb count can vary slightly from tomato to tomato. Here’s a breakdown of some tomato fan favorites:
Type of tomato, 100 g | Total carbs (g) | Fiber (g) | Net carbs (g) |
Roma tomato | 4.73 | 0.7 | 4.03 |
grape tomato | 5.51 | 2.1 | 3.41 |
green tomato | 5.1 | 1.1 | 4 |
cherry tomato | 4.96 | 1.7 | 3.26 |
San Marzano tomato | 4.35 | 0.9 | 3.45 |
Italiana (aka plum) tomato | 4.13 | 0.8 | 3.33 |
Carbs in tomatoes
A person can eat tomatoes in moderation while following a low carb diet.
The number of carbs in tomatoes can vary depending on the particular type of tomato or tomato product. According to the Department of Agriculture (USDA)Trusted Source, the carb counts of some common tomato varieties are:
- one grape tomato — 0.307 grams (g)
- one cherry tomato — 0.661 g
- one Italian or plum tomato — 2.410 g
- one medium tomato (about 123 g) — 4.780 g
- 1 cup chopped or sliced tomatoes (about 180 g) — 7.000 g
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (about 149 g) — 5.800 g
Tomatoes offer a variety of nutrients, including:
- vitamin C
- potassium
- calcium
- vitamin A
- phosphorus
- folate
In addition, tomatoes contain a large number of antioxidantsTrusted Source, such as:
- lycopene
- beta carotene
- lutein
- flavonoids
- phenolic acids
- tannins
People following a low carb diet should check the label of the tomato product for the total carbs and any added sugar.
Other low carb fruits and vegetables
People who want to reduce their carbohydrate intake should avoid starchy fruits and vegetables such as potatoes, corn, and sweet potatoes, which are high in carbohydrates.
People with diabetes can benefit from eating low-starch veggies, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Examples of low-starch vegetables include:
- green beans
- green cabbage
- sugar snap peas
- radishes
- artichoke
- peppers
- broccoli
- baby corn
- onions
- mushrooms
- celery
- okra
- squash
- asparagus
- cauliflower
- bamboo shoots
- beets
- carrots
- bean sprouts
- turnips
- eggplant
- Brussels sprouts
- kale
- turnip greens
- collard greens
- rutabaga
- salad greens, such as lettuce, spinach, and arugula
- leeks
It’s important to remember that most veggies include at least some carbohydrates, so eat them with caution. People who count carbohydrates can learn about the overall carbohydrate content of the veggies they consume. Tomatoes and other nonstarchy fruits and vegetables, such as cucumbers, are wonderful places to start. People can choose from a variety of veggies, including fresh, frozen, and tinned.
They should, however, avoid highly processed veggies as well as those that have been salted. Fruit is an essential component of a balanced diet. Fruits, on the other hand, may offer a difficulty for persons who are watching their carb intake because of their high sugar content. According to the American Dietetic Association, a small whole fruit or roughly half a cup of canned or frozen fruit will contain approximately 15 g of carbohydrates.
Those suffering from diabetes are advised to consume fruits that are low on the glycemic index, according to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation. These foods will not produce a significant increase in blood sugar levels, and they are often lower in sugar and carbohydrate content.Some of their recommendations include:
- cantaloupe
- pears
- apples
- raspberries
- blackberries
- strawberries
Regardless of the type of fruit that a person decides to consume while on a low-carb diet, they should limit themselves to fresh or frozen versions that do not include any added sugar. Dried fruits and tinned fruits are frequently sweetened with additional sugar.
Other nutrients
Tomatoes are a top-notch source of vitamins, minerals, and other health-improving compounds. This includes:
- vitamin C
- potassium
- folate
- lycopene
- naringenin
- chlorogenic acid
Other benefits of tomatoes
Tomatoes have been linked to loads of health benefits. Here are the deets.
Immune system
It is estimated that one medium raw tomato delivers approximately 19 percent of your Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamin C, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
This antioxidant helps to protect your cells from free radical damage and can also aid in the stimulation of your immune system’s function. It was also discovered in a review of the studies that naringenin, a beneficial flavonoid found in the skin of tomatoes, can help to support good immune function.
Digestion
Tomatoes are a good source of dietary fibre. That implies they may be able to help prevent stool issues such as constipation (as long as you’re receiving your 25 to 31 g of fibre a day from other sources, of course).
Heart health
Tomatoes are a great source of potassium. An appropriate intake of this mineral (2,600 to 3,400 milligrammes per day for persons over the age of 18 years, depending on your age and gender) may lower your risk of stroke by lowering your blood pressure, according to research.
A study of the research also discovered that the lycopene wealth of the humble tomato — the same lycopene that gives their skin its signature red hue — can help people minimise their risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Cancer risk reduction
According to a review of data published in 2010, the antioxidant lycopene found in tomatoes may help lower your risk of prostate cancer. To obtain the most lycopene, cooked tomatoes are the greatest source, as the cooking process helps to liberate the lycopene from its fleshy confinement.
Even cooking methods such as roasting, grilling, steaming, and sauteing are permissible under the definition of “cooked.” Anything that causes the breakdown of cell membranes and the release of lycopene into the environment can increase the advantages of tomatoes.
According to a study of the data, your helpful, juicy red buddies may also be able to slow the spread of colorectal cancer cells in the colon.
Pregnancy
Folate is required by the body for the production of DNA and for the division of cells. However, it is especially critical for expectant mothers, who are creating a complete person from scratch using DNA.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, getting adequate folate during pregnancy may help prevent several developmental abnormalities for a foetus, such as anencephaly and spina bifida (CDC). And do you know what tomatoes are good for? Yes, we’ll be patient…
Eye health
Tumeric is an excellent source of lutein, beta-carotene, and lycopene, among other nutrients. You may be at lower risk of developing light-induced damage, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and cataracts if you take advantage of these antioxidants.
Not all tomato-based foods are keto-friendly
However, not all tomato products are keto-friendly, despite the fact that raw tomatoes are deemed so. Take, for example, how many store-bought tomato products have added sugars. These goods include things such as tomato paste, tomato sauce, salsa, tomato juice, and even canned tomatoes. As a result, their total carbohydrate load increases dramatically, making them more challenging to incorporate into a ketogenic diet.
Therefore, while choosing a tomato-based product, make sure to read the ingredient label carefully and avoid products that contain excessive sugar. Sun-dried tomatoes are another tomato-based item that may be deemed less keto-friendly than raw tomatoes because they are dried rather than fresh.
They end up containing approximately 23.5 grammes of net carbohydrates per cup (54 grammes), which is much more than the equivalent serving of raw tomatoes (6Trusted Source, 11Trusted Source). In order to maintain a ketogenic diet, it is likely that you will need to restrict the amount of sundried tomatoes you consume.
Summary -Are Tomatoes Keto Friendly
Tomatoes are a fruit that has little carbohydrates and a high concentration of nutrients. People who are following a low-carb diet may find tomatoes to be a decent option. It is crucial to note, however, that the amount of carbohydrates contained in a tomato varies depending on the kind and size of the tomato.
0 Comments