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? ›

You do not have to limit vegetables if you are on the keto diet or are considering it. Plenty of low-carb vegetable options include arugula, asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, mushrooms, spinach, and tomatoes.

Which tomatoes have the least amount of carbs? ›

According to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) , the carb counts of some common tomato varieties are:
  • one grape tomato — 0.307 grams (g)
  • one cherry tomato — 0.661 g.
  • one Italian or plum tomato — 2.410 g.
  • one medium tomato (about 123 g) — 4.780 g.
  • 1 cup chopped or sliced tomatoes (about 180 g) — 7.000 g.
Mar 23, 2020

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.

Is 3 tomatoes a day too much? ›

Tomatoes are nutritious and generally safe to eat in moderation. There's no specific limit to how many tomatoes you can eat in a day, but like any food, it's best to consume them as part of a balanced diet.

What vegetables are off limits on keto? ›

Starchy vegetables contain more digestible carbohydrates than fiber and should be limited when you're on the ketogenic diet. These include corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes and beets. Limit high-sugar fruits too, which spike your blood sugar more quickly than berries and have more carbohydrates.

What foods can I eat unlimited on keto? ›

Most animal proteins — such as eggs, beef, pork, poultry, and seafood — are low in carbs and appropriate for the keto diet.

What are big mistakes on keto? ›

Not watching your carb intake - Sugar and refined carbs are in many foods. You should be aiming to eliminate these from your keto diet. “Try to keep your net carb content under 20 grams/day or total carbs under 30 grams,” Dr Riggs says. Keep close track of your sugar and carb intake by reading nutrition labels.

Is cottage cheese keto? ›

While cottage cheese is known for its high protein content, it also contains a relatively high amount of carbs and not that much fat, making it a less-than-ideal choice for keto. A ½-cup serving of cottage cheese contains 88 calories, 2.4 g of fat, 4.5 g of carbs, and 11.6 g of protein, per the USDA.

Is peanut butter keto? ›

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

Is cabbage keto friendly? ›

Cabbage is such a versatile, inexpensive vegetable and it's also a great addition to any keto diet. Not only is cabbage low in carbs, but it is also low in calories, giving you more bang for your buck.

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.

What salad dressing is keto-friendly? ›

These dressings could include: traditional vinaigrettes. creamy dressings, such as blue cheese, ranch, or thousand island. dressings that the manufacturers have specifically marketed as “keto” or “low carb”

What salad can I eat on keto? ›

You can eat a variety of salads on keto, as long as they contain healthy fats and proteins and are low in carbs. Egg salad, grilled chicken salad, shrimp salad, cauliflower salad, arugula salad, cucumber salad, antipasto salad, Greek salad, Caprese salad, and spinach salad are just a few keto-friendly salads to enjoy.

What happens if you eat too many carbs during keto? ›

You should avoid cheat meals and days on the keto diet. Consuming too many carbs can kick your body out of ketosis — and it takes several days to 1 week to get back into it. In the meantime, your weight loss may be disrupted.

How many tomatoes can you eat a day? ›

How many raw tomatoes should I eat per 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.

Can I eat 3 times a day on keto? ›

There is no limit regarding the number of times you should eat in a day. Eat when hungry and stop when full. Ensure all the macronutrients are in the right proportion.

How many cherry tomatoes per day on keto? ›

One cup of cherry tomatoes contains 4.0 g of net carbs. This makes cherry tomatoes keto-safe, but you'll need to be mindful of your daily carb count. Canned cherry tomatoes are often keto-friendly, but check the label to make sure there are no extra additives or preservatives added.

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