Go Ahead, Have As Many Tomatoes As You Want on Keto (2024)

This fruit is perfectly keto-friendly.

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Go Ahead, Have As Many Tomatoes As You Want on Keto (1)

As far as health food goes, tomatoes are pretty amazing. They're refreshing, low-calorie (22 calories per medium whole tomato), and chock-full of vitamins and antioxidants like vitamin A, C, K, which are all crazy good for you. But we had to ask, are tomatoes actually keto-friendly?

Since tomatoes are so healthy, you would think they're perfect for the keto diet, right? Previously reported by Men's Health, lycopene, the phytochemical that makes tomatoes red, helps protect your prostate and reduce free radicals that cause skin damage and aging.

Even better, if you cook your tomatoes, their lycopene levels go up, so enjoying fresh tomato sauce, tomato paste, and even ketchup boosts its protective factors.

Japanese researchers also found that tomatoes can help break down lipids in the bloodstream, reducing the risk of vascular diseases like stroke and heart disease.

It'd be remiss to say that rumors haven't tried to slander the humble tomato's reputation. Some folks claim that fruits and vegetables in the nightshade family (like tomatoes) are actually bad for you and can cause inflammation, but that simply isn't true.

In a 2014 study from the Illinois Institute of Technology, subjects ate two meals: one containing tomatoes and another without. Researchers found that the subjects' inflammation levels were actually significantly lower after the tomato meal.

With all of that said, are tomatoes still safe to have on the keto diet? This is what one of our nutrition experts had to say.

Can you eat tomatoes on the keto diet?

"Tomatoes are keto," says Abby Langer, R.D., author of Good Food, Bad Diet. "They're low in carbs, so they fit perfectly into keto."

One whole medium tomato contains roughly 5 grams of carbohydrates, of which 1.5 grams are fiber and 3 grams are sugar.

Go Ahead, Have As Many Tomatoes As You Want on Keto (2)

If you're eating keto, your goal is to enter a state of ketosis (a fat-burning state kickstarted by reducing your protein and carb intake). In this case, only 10 percent of your calorie intake should comes from carbs, leaving you to 20 to 30 grams of carbs per day to stay in that state. One tomato is barely a quarter of that limit, so there's little to stress about.

Go ahead, have a tomato, or three.

Go Ahead, Have As Many Tomatoes As You Want on Keto (3)

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Go Ahead, Have As Many Tomatoes As You Want on Keto (2024)

FAQs

Go Ahead, Have As Many Tomatoes As You Want on Keto? ›

Although technically considered a fruit, tomatoes contain much fewer carbs than other fruits. Therefore, they're considered keto-friendly, while most other fruits are not.

Can you eat too many tomatoes on keto? ›

For the record, you don't need to worry that you'll completely screw up your ketosis if you have a tomato (or two) on any given day. “You'd likely need to eat five to six medium tomatoes to upset the balance of carbohydrates,” Keatley says.

Can you eat as many vegetables as you want on keto? ›

To eat vegetables in a keto diet, limit those that contain a lot of carbs, like potatoes, corn, and peas. 4 Instead, up your intake of non-starchy vegetables.

Can you eat tomatoes and cucumbers on keto diet? ›

Tomatoes are a nutritional powerhouse and are a perfect fit for the keto diet. Our delicious new Eclipse tomato9es only contain 25 calories and 3 grams of net carbs. Tomatoes are also packed with vitamin C for immunity and fiber for appetite control. Cucumbers are made of 90% water and are almost calorie-free.

Can you eat canned tomatoes on a low carb diet? ›

Low Carb Canned Tomato Products

If the ingredients list doesn't indicate there's anything else added, that's really as low carb as it's possible to get. If you're looking to reduce the carb count further, you can minimise the amount of tomato that ends up in the portion you eat.

How many tomatoes a day on a keto diet? ›

However, although tomatoes are technically a fruit, one medium-sized tomato (about 120 grams) contains only 4-5 grams of carbohydrates and only 3 grams of sugar, making it fine to include in a keto diet.

How many tomatoes should I eat a day on keto? ›

Can you eat tomatoes on the keto diet? "Tomatoes are keto," says Abby Langer, R.D., author of Good Food, Bad Diet. "They're low in carbs, so they fit perfectly into keto." One whole medium tomato contains roughly 5 grams of carbohydrates, of which 1.5 grams are fiber and 3 grams are sugar.

What foods can you eat unlimited on keto? ›

Foods you can eat on the keto diet include fish and seafood, meat and poultry, non-starchy vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and zucchini, avocados, berries, nuts and seeds, eggs, high-fat dairy products, olive oil and other oils, and high-cocoa chocolate.

What vegetables are unlimited on keto diet? ›

It's hard to overeat spinach, zucchini, lettuce, cucumbers, cabbage, asparagus and kale on a keto diet. These are considered keto vegetables. Be more careful with slightly higher-carb vegetables like bell peppers (especially red and yellow ones), brussels sprouts and green beans to stay under 20 grams of carbs a day.

Can I eat unlimited lettuce on keto? ›

All types of low carb vegetables are permitted on a keto diet, including romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, avocados, and more. Healthy fats, such as cheese, avocados, nuts and seeds, and healthy oils are also keto compliant. Eggs, poultry, and beef products are also good to go on a keto diet.

What is the best fruit to eat on keto? ›

Keto-friendly fruits include avocados, watermelon, strawberries, lemons, tomatoes, raspberries, peaches, cantaloupe, star fruit, and blackberries. If you're unsure whether the keto diet is right for you or how it may affect your health, consider speaking with a dietitian or your healthcare provider.

Is cottage cheese keto? ›

According to nutritionists, cottage cheese is generally not as keto-friendly as other cheese varieties. Although it is high in protein, it doesn't contain as much fat and may have a high carb content.

Are olives keto friendly? ›

Olives are a great source of fat whilst remaining incredibly low in carbohydrates, in every 100g of olives there is only around 3 net carbs. They are the perfect way to fill yourself up whilst on a keto diet, either as a light snack or even on top of salads.

What cheeses are good for keto? ›

The best keto cheeses include cheddar, Gouda, goat cheese, and blue cheese, while the worst are cottage cheese and low fat and processed varieties. If you're following the keto diet or know someone who is, be sure to keep these cheeses in mind to promote ketosis and meet dietary goals.

Is cabbage keto? ›

Cabbage is delicious when stuffed into keto fajitas, used in soups, or made into coleslaw with a rich, creamy high-fat dressing that's keto-friendly. It has 2 grams of net carbs per cup shredded, so you can eat a lot in one sitting without falling out of ketosis, says Dixon.

Is mayonnaise keto? ›

Mayonnaise is the perfect condiment for the Keto Diet because it consists of high fat, low protein, and zero carbohydrates. It also has many health benefits that can help you maintain Ketosis and achieve your weight loss goals on the Keto diet.

Why can't you eat tomatoes on a keto diet? ›

Although raw tomatoes are considered keto-friendly, not all tomato products are. For instance, many store-bought tomato products, such as tomato paste, tomato sauce, salsa, tomato juice, and even canned tomatoes, contain added sugars.

Is 3 tomatoes a day too much? ›

There is no specific limit on the number of tomatoes you can eat in a day, as it largely depends on individual dietary preferences and tolerance. Tomatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, including vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene. They are low in calories and can be a good source of hydration.

Can too many vegetables kick you out of ketosis? ›

Vegetables have carbohydrates. And that means that you have to watch how much of them you eat — even lettuce. If you're not careful or are eating them as a free-for-all, you could overconsume carbs and kick yourself out of ketosis.

Can I eat 3 tomatoes a day? ›

Eating tomatoes daily will provide you with many vitamins and minerals, but you'll still receive the benefits if you eat them less often. There is no recommended number of tomatoes to eat per day.

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