Keto Means
Photo by Samson Katt Pexels Logo Photo: Samson Katt

Are sweet potatoes keto-friendly?

Ketogenic diets are characterized by their high fat and very low carb contents. Sweet potatoes tend to be naturally high in carbs and are typically excluded from keto diet plans because they can make it difficult for many people to maintain ketosis.

What does being wet for a girl feel like?
What does being wet for a girl feel like?

Arousal fluid has more of a slippery texture and is present only when you're sexually aroused or having sex. Cervical fluid is more like mucus,...

Read More »
What foods fill you up on keto?
What foods fill you up on keto?

However, there are plenty of low- foods that will keep you full on the keto diet, like eggs, almonds, and coconut oil. ... Just because you're...

Read More »

The ketogenic, or keto, diet is a high fat, moderate protein, and very low carb diet that’s used to manage various medical conditions, including epilepsy, obesity, and diabetes ( 1 ). Given that it’s very carb restrictive, many people wonder whether high carb foods like sweet potatoes can still be included within the parameters of a ketogenic dietary pattern. This article explores whether you can still enjoy sweet potatoes while following a keto diet. Share on Pinterest Maintaining ketosis One of the primary goals of a ketogenic diet is to facilitate your body’s transition into ketosis. Ketosis is a metabolic state in which your body relies on energy produced from fat — instead of carbs — to carry out all of its essential functions. When you consume a varied diet, your body defaults to using glucose — a type of carb — as its primary fuel source. But when carbs are unavailable, your body makes energy from fat-derived compounds called ketones ( 1 ). Your body’s ability to maintain ketosis is dependent upon a lack of dietary carbohydrates. If you consume too many carbs, your body reverts to using glucose for energy, thereby throwing you out of ketosis. This is why many types of high carb foods, including starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes, are usually considered off-limits on a ketogenic diet. However, the extent to which a person needs to limit their total carb intake to maintain ketosis can vary. Most people following a ketogenic diet limit their carb intake to no more than 5–10% of their daily calorie needs, or a maximum of 50 grams of carbs per day ( 2 ). Precisely where you fall on that spectrum depends on how readily your body moves into and out of ketosis. summary Keeping your carb intake very low is essential for maintaining ketosis when following a keto diet. This is why many people opt to exclude sweet potatoes from keto meal plans. Sweet potatoes are relatively high in carbs A sweet potato is a type of starchy root vegetable that’s often excluded from ketogenic diets because of its naturally high carb content. However, with proper planning, some people may still be able to successfully incorporate small portions of sweet potato into a keto diet plan. A medium-sized sweet potato (150 grams) contains a total of 26 grams of carbs. After subtracting the 4 grams that come from fiber, you’re left with a net value of roughly 21 grams of carbs per potato ( 3 ). If you’re on a keto diet that limits you to 50 grams of carbs per day, you could opt to expend approximately 42% of your carbs on a whole sweet potato if you want to. You may also consider dividing the sweet potato into smaller portions to further reduce your carb intake without having to exclude it from your diet entirely. That said, if you’re on a diet plan that requires you to stick to a much lower carb limit, even a very small portion of sweet potato could make it considerably more difficult to stay within your allotted carbs for the day. Ultimately, whether you should include sweet potatoes in your diet depends on your personal carb goals and ability to consistently adhere to the restrictions required for you to maintain ketosis. summary Sweet potatoes are fairly high in carbs, but some people may be able to include small portions of them while staying within their keto carb restrictions. Certain preparations may be more keto-friendly than others If you decide to include sweet potatoes as part of your keto diet plan, it’s important that you also consider how various preparation methods may affect the total carb content of the final dish. For instance, sweet potatoes prepared with very high carb ingredients, such as brown sugar, maple syrup, or fruit juices would be inappropriate for a ketogenic diet. Preparation methods that are more keto-friendly may include thinly slicing and frying them to make sweet potato fries, or roasting them whole and serving them with butter, coconut oil, or melted cheese. summary Certain sweet potato preparation methods are not keto-friendly, especially those that utilize high carb ingredients like brown sugar or maple syrup.

What vegetables are good for keto?
What vegetables are good for keto?

The best vegetables for keto diets include celery, tomatoes, spinach, and mushrooms. A person may wish to avoid starchy vegetables, such as beets,...

Read More »
What alcoholic beverage can you drink on a keto diet?
What alcoholic beverage can you drink on a keto diet?

Keto-Friendly Drinks For instance, pure forms of alcohol like whiskey, gin, tequila, rum and vodka are all completely free of carbs. These...

Read More »

How do I start a lazy keto?
How do I start a lazy keto?

How to start lazy keto Start small. Instantly cutting your net carbs to under 50g can be overwhelming, so it's best to ease into a lazy keto...

Read More »
Will I gain weight switching from keto to Mediterranean diet?
Will I gain weight switching from keto to Mediterranean diet?

Gradually include quality carbohydrates So it's not at all uncommon for there to be some weight gain when we include them back into our diet....

Read More »
What is triggering my BV?
What is triggering my BV?

BV is a result of an imbalance of “good” and “harmful” bacteria in a vagina. Douching, not using condoms, and having new or multiple sex partners...

Read More »
Can I get drunk on keto?
Can I get drunk on keto?

Keto alcohol tolerance This slows down the metabolization of alcohol, which helps reduce blood alcohol levels. But when you're living a ketogenic...

Read More »