15 Keto Fruits You Can Enjoy on a Low-Carb Diet
The ketogenic diet often emphasizes reducing carbs, which can make you question whether fruits have a place in your meal plan.
While some fruits are naturally high in sugar, plenty of low-carb options fit perfectly into a keto lifestyle.
A guide to 15 keto-friendly fruits you can enjoy guilt-free, along with why they work for a low-carb diet.
1. Avocado
- Why It’s Keto-Friendly: Avocado is technically a fruit, and it’s packed with healthy fats and very low in carbs. A whole avocado has about 2 grams of net carbs, making it a keto superstar.
- Nutritional Benefits: Rich in monounsaturated fats, fiber, and potassium, avocado helps you stay satiated and supports heart health.
- How to Enjoy: Slice it up for salads, mash it into guacamole, or simply enjoy it with a sprinkle of salt.
2. Olives
- Why It’s Keto-Friendly: Olives are another low-carb, high-fat fruit. A small serving of about 10 olives contains just 1-2 grams of net carbs.
- Nutritional Benefits: Packed with healthy fats and antioxidants, olives help fight inflammation and support heart health.
- How to Enjoy: Add them to salads, snack on them plain, or use them as a topping for keto pizzas.
3. Berries (Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries)
- Why They’re Keto-Friendly: Berries are lower in sugar compared to other fruits. Raspberries and blackberries have about 5-6 grams of net carbs per ½ cup, while strawberries contain about 4 grams.
- Nutritional Benefits: These berries are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C, making them a nutrient-dense choice.
- How to Enjoy: Use them in smoothies, keto desserts, or as a topping for yogurt.
4. Watermelon
- Why It’s Keto-Friendly: Despite being sweet, watermelon is surprisingly low in carbs. A 1-cup serving has only 11 grams of carbs, with about 9 grams net.
- Nutritional Benefits: Watermelon is low in calories and high in hydration, so it is a refreshing choice for summer.
- How to Enjoy: Enjoy it in small portions as a snack or in keto-friendly salads.
5. Cantaloupe
- Why It’s Keto-Friendly: Cantaloupe is another melon that can fit into a keto diet when consumed in moderation. A ½-cup serving has about 6 grams of net carbs.
- Nutritional Benefits: High in vitamins A and C, cantaloupe supports your immune system and skin health.
- How to Enjoy: Pair it with prosciutto for a sweet-and-savory keto snack.
6. Lemon
- Why It’s Keto-Friendly: Lemons are very low in carbs, with about 2 grams of net carbs per fruit.
- Nutritional Benefits: Loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants, lemons help boost immunity and add a burst of flavor to your meals.
- How to Enjoy: Use lemon juice in water, salad dressings, or keto desserts for a zesty touch.
7. Limes
- Why It’s Keto-Friendly: Like lemons, limes are low in carbs, with about 2-3 grams of net carbs per fruit.
- Nutritional Benefits: Limes are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, making them great for digestion and immunity.
- How to Enjoy: Add lime juice to sparkling water or use it in marinades and keto-friendly cocktails.
8. Coconut (Fresh or Unsweetened Flakes)
- Why It’s Keto-Friendly: Fresh coconut meat and unsweetened flakes are low in net carbs and high in healthy fats. A 1-ounce serving has about 2-3 grams of net carbs.
- Nutritional Benefits: Coconut is a great source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which provide quick energy and support ketosis.
- How to Enjoy: Use it in keto desserts, smoothies, or as a topping for yogurt or chia pudding.
9. Tomatoes
- Why They’re Keto-Friendly: Tomatoes are technically fruits and are low in carbs, with only 2-3 grams of net carbs per 100 grams.
- Nutritional Benefits: High in vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants like lycopene, tomatoes support heart and skin health.
- How to Enjoy: Use them in salads, soups, or sauces for a flavorful addition to meals.
10. Starfruit (Carambola)
- Why It’s Keto-Friendly: Starfruit is an exotic, low-carb fruit with about 4 grams of net carbs per 100 grams.
- Nutritional Benefits: It’s high in antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber, making it a great addition to your keto diet.
- How to Enjoy: Slice it up for a refreshing snack or add it to salads for a tropical twist.
11. Rhubarb
It is a vegetable but is well-used in sauces and pies.
- Why It’s Keto-Friendly: Rhubarb is very low in carbs, with just 2 grams of net carbs per 100 grams, making it a great choice for keto desserts.
- Nutritional Benefits: High in antioxidants and fiber, rhubarb helps support digestion and overall health.
- How to Enjoy: Use it in keto-friendly crumbles or jams sweetened with erythritol.
12. Peaches
- Why It’s Keto-Friendly: While sweet, peaches can be enjoyed in moderation, with about 8 grams of net carbs per medium fruit.
- Nutritional Benefits: Rich in vitamins A and C, peaches are hydrating and support skin health.
- How to Enjoy: Slice them thinly and pair them with cream or use them in a keto dessert.
13. Plums
- Why They’re Keto-Friendly: A small plum contains about 7 grams of net carbs, making it suitable for occasional keto snacking.
- Nutritional Benefits: Plums are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, promoting gut health and immunity.
- How to Enjoy: Eat them fresh or use them sparingly in keto-friendly baked goods.
14. Blackcurrants
- Why They’re Keto-Friendly: Blackcurrants are low in sugar and contain only about 6 grams of net carbs per ½ cup.
- Nutritional Benefits: Packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, they’re great for boosting immunity and reducing inflammation.
- How to Enjoy: Add them to smoothies or sprinkle over yogurt for a tart twist.
15. Cranberries (Unsweetened)
- Why They’re Keto-Friendly: Fresh cranberries have only 7 grams of net carbs per ½ cup, making them a keto-friendly option.
- Nutritional Benefits: High in antioxidants and beneficial for urinary health, cranberries add a tangy flavor to dishes.
- How to Enjoy: Use them in keto-friendly sauces, desserts, or salads.
Tips for Including Fruits on Keto
- Track Your Macros: Always measure portion sizes to avoid exceeding your daily carb limit.
- Choose High-Fiber Options: Fiber reduces the net carb count, making some fruits more keto-friendly.
- Pair with Fats: Combine fruits with healthy fats like cream, cheese, or nuts to slow digestion and balance blood sugar.
These 15 keto-friendly fruits prove that you can enjoy the natural sweetness of fruit while sticking to your low-carb lifestyle.
Incorporate them wisely and keep your keto journey flavorful and satisfying!
More Keto Recipes:
Mary Dillon
Saturday 30th of May 2020
Great information! My husband and I have been following a keto diet for the past 6 months and it has helped a number of medical issues I deal with (lymphedema, whole body osteoarthritis, degenerative back issues). A friend gave us a bunch of gooseberries and I was looking for some keto info/recipes to use with them. Thank you for listing the net carbs. It is amazing to see how things change when using net carbs. I and still looking for some good keto gooseberry recipes if you have any to share.
Allison
Wednesday 9th of January 2019
9 grams of carbs in 100 grams avocado not the ridiculously low 1.9 you stated. Curious why you choose to present carbs as Net or Total? Why not both? Does your information come from the USDA Nutrition Database?
Moumita
Wednesday 9th of January 2019
Hi Allison, I generally check in 'recipe nutrition analyzer'. Avocado contains a lot of fibers (7g), which makes it a net carb of less than 2 g.
Deb Stacco
Monday 3rd of December 2018
Can I eat Clementine s on Keto?
Moumita
Thursday 6th of December 2018
No I would not consider it
Lindsay
Friday 7th of September 2018
What’s the evidence-base? This doesn’t even make sense.
Lindsay Fortman, MS, RD, CDE
Moumita
Friday 7th of September 2018
The list is made according to the carb content
Aw
Monday 23rd of July 2018
Hi, just curious as to why blueberries aren’t on there list. I read they are pretty low on the carb and sugar list, as well as have lots of antioxidants
Moumita
Monday 23rd of July 2018
Hi Aw, 100 gms of blueberries contains 12 gms of carbs approx. So I have excluded it from my list.