Avocados are a great addition to a keto diet. They are packed with healthy monounsaturated fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Avocados are also relatively low in carbs. A whole avocado has around 11-13g of total carbs and 3 net grams of carbs. The recommended serving size is one-third of a medium-sized avocado, so sticking to this recommendation will reduce carb intake even further. Avocados can be eaten alone or included in a wide variety of dishes such as salads, soups, desserts, sauces, and the famous guacamole.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Carbohydrates | 12.8g per whole avocado, 6g per third of an avocado, 11.6g per avocado (California, black skin), 10.5g per half an avocado |
Net carbs | 3g per whole avocado, 2g per third of an avocado, 2.5g per avocado (California, black skin), 1g per half an avocado |
Fat | 8g per third of an avocado, 19.9g per avocado (California, black skin) |
Healthy fats | 6g per third of an avocado |
Monounsaturated fat | 5g |
Polyunsaturated fat | 1g |
Fibre | 5g per half an avocado |
Calories | 218 per avocado (California, black skin) |
Protein | 2.7g per avocado (California, black skin), 1.3g per half an avocado |
What You'll Learn
Avocados are keto-friendly due to their healthy fat content
Avocados are a great addition to a keto diet. While they are quite high in fat, the predominant type of fat in avocados is unsaturated, making them a healthy substitute for foods high in saturated fat such as butter. Avocados are also a good source of fibre and are packed with vitamins and minerals.
A whole avocado contains around 12.8g of carbohydrates. However, the recommended serving size is around one-third of a medium-sized avocado, which reduces the carb intake to around 4g. When counting net carbs (total carbs minus fibre), avocados contain as little as 2g of net carbs per half avocado.
Avocados are extremely versatile and can be eaten alone or included in a wide variety of dishes such as salads, soups, desserts, sauces, and the famous guacamole. They are also available all year round, so you can include them in your keto diet for as long as you decide to follow it.
In addition to their healthy fat content, avocados are also high in potassium, making them a suggested food for the keto diet.
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Avocados are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats
Avocados are a great addition to a keto diet. They are packed with healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, vitamins, minerals, and fibre.
Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are considered "good" fats. These types of fats can help to improve your heart health by reducing bad cholesterol levels in your blood and lowering your risk of heart disease and stroke. Monounsaturated fats can also help to ease inflammation and stabilize heart rhythms.
Avocados are an excellent source of these healthy fats, with approximately 75% of the fat in an avocado being unsaturated. Of this, most is oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid that can reduce symptoms associated with inflammation and may improve your heart health. Avocados also contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are essential for body functions and cardiovascular health.
In addition to being a great source of healthy fats, avocados are also relatively low in carbs. A whole avocado has around 12.8 grams of carbohydrates and 3 net grams of carbs. The recommended serving size is one-third of a medium-sized avocado, which further reduces carb intake.
Avocados are versatile and can be eaten alone or included in a wide variety of dishes such as salads, soups, desserts, sauces, and the famous guacamole. They are a great substitute for foods high in saturated fat, such as butter and other full-fat spreads.
Not only are avocados nutritious and delicious, but they can also help you feel full for longer. The high fat and fibre content of avocados can help to slow the release of food from your stomach, leading to increased feelings of satiety and potentially reducing overall calorie intake.
So, if you're following a keto diet, don't be afraid to add avocados to your meals. They are a great source of healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and can help support your health goals.
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Avocados are a good source of fibre
Avocados are a great addition to a keto diet, despite being relatively high in carbohydrates. This is because they are packed with healthy monounsaturated fats, vitamins, minerals, and fibre.
The recommended serving size of avocado is around one-third of a medium-sized fruit, which contains around 8 grams of total fat, 6 grams of healthy fats, and only 4 grams of carbohydrates. If you are counting net carbs, you can subtract the fibre from the total carbs, resulting in only 2 grams of net carbs per serving.
In addition to being a good source of fibre, avocados also provide other health benefits. They are a great substitute for foods high in saturated fat, such as butter and other full-fat spreads, as the predominant fat in avocados is unsaturated. They are also a nutrient-dense fruit, containing vitamins C, K, and E, as well as potassium and other minerals.
Avocados are versatile and can be eaten alone or included in a wide variety of dishes such as salads, soups, desserts, sauces, and the famous guacamole. They are also available all year round, so you can include them in your keto diet for as long as you choose to follow it.
So, if you're looking for a healthy, filling, and delicious way to add more fibre to your keto diet, avocados are a great option!
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Avocados are low in net carbs
Avocados are a great food to eat while on a keto diet, as they are packed with healthy monounsaturated fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are also relatively low in net carbs.
A whole avocado contains around 12.8g of carbohydrates, but it also has a high fiber content, which is important to consider when counting carbs on a keto diet. The net carbs in an avocado are the total carbs minus the fiber, and this comes out to only around 3g of net carbs for a whole avocado. The recommended serving size is around one-third of a medium-sized avocado, which would be even fewer net carbs.
Avocados are also a good source of healthy fats, with 5g of monounsaturated fat and 1g of polyunsaturated fat per serving. This makes avocados a great substitute for foods high in saturated fat, such as butter and other full-fat spreads.
In addition to their nutritional benefits, avocados are versatile and can be eaten alone or included in a wide variety of dishes such as salads, soups, desserts, sauces, and the famous guacamole. They are also available all year round, so you can include them in your keto diet for as long as you choose to follow it.
So, if you're looking for a low-carb, healthy fat option to include in your keto meals, avocados are an excellent choice.
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Avocados are a versatile ingredient
- Salads and Grain Bowls: Avocados can be diced and sprinkled into salads or grain bowls to add a creamy texture and a boost of healthy fats.
- Smoothies: Adding frozen avocado chunks to smoothies gives them a rich and creamy texture. Avocado has a mild taste that pairs well with most smoothie ingredients.
- Spreads: Avocados can be mashed and used as a spread on sandwiches, crackers, or whole-grain breakfast toast.
- Sushi: Avocados can be sliced and rolled into maki sushi for a delicious and healthy addition to Japanese cuisine.
- Snacks: Avocados can be cut in half, drizzled with lemon or lime juice, and eaten with a spoon as a nutritious snack.
- Guacamole: This classic dip is made with avocados, onions, lime, and cilantro and is perfect for pairing with tortilla chips or vegetables.
- Chicken Breasts: Topping chicken breasts with a salad of tomato and cubed avocado adds a creamy and tasty twist to your meal.
- Soups: Sliced avocado can be a great topping for soups, adding a creamy texture and a boost of flavour.
- Desserts: Avocados can be used in sweet dishes too! Try making a dairy-free avocado chocolate mousse or incorporating them into baked goods.
- Breakfast: Pair half an avocado with eggs and berries for a filling and nutritious breakfast.
- Toast: Avocado toast is a popular choice! Try different variations like lemon olive oil avocado toast, Tex-Mex avocado toast, or dill salmon avocado toast.
- Tacos and Burritos: Avocados are a perfect addition to Mexican dishes like tacos and burritos, providing a creamy texture and healthy fats.
- Dressings: Blend avocado with olive oil, lemon juice, and seasonings for a quick and easy creamy dressing to top your salads or other dishes.
- Burgers: Sliced avocado can take your burger to the next level, adding a creamy texture and a boost of flavour.
Avocados are a versatile and nutritious ingredient that can enhance the taste and nutritional profile of many dishes. Their healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and fibre make them a great addition to a balanced diet.
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Frequently asked questions
A whole avocado contains around 12.8g of carbohydrates, but only 3 net grams of carbs.
On a keto diet, you should be consuming fewer than 20 grams of carbohydrates per day.
The recommended serving size of avocado is around one-third of a medium-sized avocado.
Yes, avocados are a good source of healthy fats and fibre, and they can be eaten alone or included in a wide variety of dishes such as salads, soups, and desserts.