Keto Means
Photo by Henryk63 Pexels Logo Photo: Henryk63

What are keto fruits?

Look for low-carb, high-fiber fruits that are low in net carbs. A few keto friendly fruits include: avocados, lemons, limes and berries such as blackberries, raspberries and strawberries.

What vegetables go well with seafood?
What vegetables go well with seafood?

The Best Vegetables to Pair With Seafood Grilled zucchini and mushrooms with shrimp. Leafy greens and white fish. King crab and corn. Salmon and...

Read More »
Why do I poop so little so often?
Why do I poop so little so often?

Some medical conditions and medications can affect bowel health and cause a person to poop more or less often than usual. Inflammatory bowel...

Read More »

Home/Blog/Keto Fruit: What You Can vs. Cannot Eat On the Ketogenic Diet

Keto Fruit: What You Can vs. Cannot Eat On the Ketogenic Diet

By Rachel Link, RD, MS

November 18, 2021

Can you eat fruit on keto? Survey a handful of keto dieters to see what they think and you’re likely to get a good mix of different opinions. While some believe that keto fruit can be consumed in moderation as an occasional indulgence, others think that it should be completely avoided altogether. Unlike other sugary snacks, fruit is high in fiber, which can balance many of the health effects associated with consuming carbs and sugar. By being selective about which fruits to include in your diet — and going for low-carb, high-fiber options — you can likely enjoy the occasional serving or two of keto fruit, while still remaining in ketosis.

So what fruit is low in carbs? Are bananas good for keto? And which foods make the cut on the low-carb keto fruit list?

We’ll cover everything you need to know about keto and fruit below. Of course, you should always consult your healthcare professional prior to beginning any new dietary or lifestyle regimen.

Can You Eat Fruit on the Keto Diet?

The ketogenic diet focuses on cutting carb consumption and increasing fat intake to reach ketosis, a metabolic state in which the body begins burning fat for energy rather than glucose/carbs. This typically involves decreasing intake of high-carb foods like grains, starches, legumes and sugary snacks, while at the same time increasing consumption of healthy fats and performance fats such as coconut oil, olive oil, grass-fed butter and ghee. One of the most common keto diet myths is that fruit must also be eliminated from the diet in order to effectively achieve a state of ketosis. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, there are plenty of nutritious and delicious keto diet fruit options that can definitely be included in moderation as part of a healthy low-carb diet. Although fruits are typically high in carbohydrates, they’re also typically filled with fiber. Fiber moves through the body undigested and generally doesn’t affect blood sugar levels in the same way as carbohydrates, meaning it can typically be enjoyed when following the ketogenic diet without impacting ketosis. Instead of counting total carbs in your diet, it’s best to focus on , which is calculated by subtracting the grams of fiber in a food from the total grams of carbohydrates. For example, if an ingredient contains 10 grams of total carbohydrates and 2 grams of fiber, it would contain 8 grams of net carbs. There are plenty of keto fruit options out there that are high in fiber and low in net carbs, making them an ideal addition to a well-rounded ketogenic diet.

Will an 18 hour fast put me in ketosis?
Will an 18 hour fast put me in ketosis?

Additionally, note that forms of intermittent fasting that have shorter windows of fasting ranging from 12–18 hours per day may not reach this...

Read More »
How much weight do people lose on keto?
How much weight do people lose on keto?

The keto diet changes the way your metabolism works by encouraging it to use ketone bodies instead of glucose for energy production. In the first...

Read More »

In fact, having some fruit on keto may help satisfy your sweet tooth while also supplying a steady stream of the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that your body needs.

Top 10 Keto Fruits

So what are some keto friendly fruits?

When it comes to having fruit on keto, it’s important to look at the number of net carbs per serving, which is calculated by subtracting the amount of fiber from the total grams of carbohydrates. Below is a keto fruit list, including how many net carbs are found in each serving. Avocado: 2 grams net carbs/cup Lemons: 4 grams net carbs/fruit Limes: 5 grams net carbs/fruit Blackberries: 6 grams net carbs/cup Raspberries: 7 grams net carbs/cup Strawberries: 8 grams net carbs/cup Watermelon: 10.5 grams net carbs/cup Cantaloupe: 11.5 grams net carbs/cup Nectarine: 12.5 grams net carbs/cup Peaches: 12.5 grams net carbs/cup

It’s Best to Eat Keto Fruit in Moderation

Keep in mind that, although there are plenty of keto friendly fruit options out there, consumption of fruit on the keto diet should still be limited. Even on a modified keto diet, it’s recommended to aim for around 30–50 grams of net carbs per day to maintain ketosis and maximize results. Even one or two servings of these low-carb fruits can knock out a good chunk of your daily carb allotment in one shot, effectively kicking you out ketosis. For this reason, it’s best to fill your plate mostly with healthy fats, protein foods and non-starchy vegetables, all of which can provide a good amount of nutrients and a low amount of carbs to help optimize your diet. Avocados, along with other fats such as coconut oil, olive oil, ghee and grass-fed butter, can be used to boost your intake of heart-healthy and performance fats to reach ketosis. However, other higher-carb varieties such as berries, watermelon or cantaloupe should be consumed in small amounts and used as a substitute for high-sugar sweets and snacks the next time cravings strike. A handful of berries can be a delicious sweet treat and enjoyed as is to help keep carb consumption low. For an occasional indulgence, you can also top it with a dollop of full-fat whipped cream or unsweetened Greek yogurt. You can also combine about half a cup of fruit with non-starchy veggies, collagen and coconut milk and blend to make a keto fruit smoothie. Bump up the benefits even more by adding MCT oil, bone broth or a dash of beneficial herbs and spices to finish it off.

Fruits to Avoid on Keto

Does drinking water help you lose weight on keto?
Does drinking water help you lose weight on keto?

Water is essential for our body and not only keeps you hydrated but also keeps your stomach full, reducing snack carvings. Also, water also plays a...

Read More »
Will coconut oil help me get into ketosis?
Will coconut oil help me get into ketosis?

Coconut oil is perfectly keto-friendly. Because it's pure fat, it can help you meet your increased fat needs without adding any carbs to your diet....

Read More »

Although there are plenty of low-carb fruits out there, not all types of fruit can fit into a ketogenic diet. In particular, dried fruits and fruit juices pack a concentrated amount of sugar and carbs into each serving and should be avoided altogether when cutting carbs to reach ketosis. Fruits canned in syrup may also be higher in sugar, which can quickly drive up calorie and carb consumption and hinder your progress. There are also plenty of other types of fruit high in natural sugars that may need to be limited when following a ketogenic diet. Here are a few varieties of fruit that contain a higher amount of net carbs in each serving: Bananas: 30 grams net carbs/cup Grapes: 25.5 grams net carbs/cup Mango: 22.5 grams net carbs/cup Grapefruit: 21 grams net carbs/cup Pineapple: 19.5 grams net carbs/cup Blueberries:17 grams net carbs/cup Plums: 16.5 grams net carbs/cup Oranges:16.5 grams net carbs/cup Cherries: 16.5 grams net carbs/cup Pears: 16.5 grams net carbs/cup

Final Thoughts

Fruit is high in carbohydrates and natural sugars, both of which are often restricted by those following a low-carb keto diet in order to reach ketosis. However, certain fruits can be included in moderation as part of a healthy ketogenic diet.

Look for low-carb, high-fiber fruits that are low in net carbs.

A few keto friendly fruits include: avocados, lemons, limes and berries such as blackberries, raspberries and strawberries. Keep intake in moderation and limit dried fruits, fruit juices and high-sugar fruits like bananas, grapes, mangoes, grapefruit and pineapple. Enjoy the occasional serving of keto fruit to satisfy your sweet tooth and curb cravings in place of other high-sugar treats. Alternatively, try adding them to smoothies alongside healthy fats, proteins and non-starchy vegetables for a nutritious start to your morning. Rachael Link, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian based in New York City. She completed her undergraduate degree in Dietetics at the University of Central Missouri and later received her Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University. Rachael is passionate about plant-based nutrition and enjoys providing easy-to-understand information to readers looking to support their health.

Can you eat shrimp and tomatoes together?
Can you eat shrimp and tomatoes together?

You will love this winning combination of fresh wild-caught jumbo shrimp, a medley of colorful organic grape tomatoes, shallots, Spanish capers,...

Read More »
Can eating too little stop weight loss?
Can eating too little stop weight loss?

Lummus says that when your body goes into starvation mode, your metabolism slows to a crawl, burning calories as slowly as possible to conserve its...

Read More »
Is cottage cheese good for gut health?
Is cottage cheese good for gut health?

Why it's good for you: Cheese lovers, rejoice: cottage cheese is a great pick for your gut. As with other fermented foods, cottage cheese often...

Read More »
Why is my belly fat so jiggly?
Why is my belly fat so jiggly?

Subcutaneous belly fat Subcutaneous fat is soft, and it's the fat you see “jiggling” on your belly. In general, women have greater amounts of...

Read More »