Pickles add a nice acidic punch to sandwiches and taste especially delicious in a Bloody Mary. But they're also great on their own, straight out of the jar, as a healthy, low-calorie, high-flavor snack.
However, are pickles keto?
“Since there are so many different types of pickles, you'll have to use your label reading skills to check out the 'net carbs'—total carbs minus fiber—in a given product,” says Seattle-based registered dietitian nutritionist, Ginger Hultin, M.S., R.D.N., and author of Anti-Inflammatory Diet Meal Prep.
To really know if pickles can fit into your diet, you'll also have to evaluate how many net carbs your particular keto diet includes. “Some people need to stick to as low as 20 net carbs per day while others can tolerate up to about 50 while still staying in ketosis,” says Hultin. So, whether or not a given food can fit is somewhat dependent on what else you're eating in a day.
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Some foods are obviously hard to make keto (think: white bread or a candy bar), but even pickles might make you wonder. A "serving" of pickles is commonly listed as a cup, which has 2.2 grams of net carbs, so you actually get a lot for a low amount of carbs (applicable to dill and salt pickles).
Luckily, pickles are keto friendly, especially those that are of the dill pickle variety, as sugar is low. “Simply put, sweet pickles are made with sugar which will automatically push the carb count up,” says Hultin. “Dill or salt pickles don't have the added sugar and carbs, naturally,” she says.
Many brands of pickles, especially "dill" varieties, are low carb. “You'll typically find 1g net carb in an ounce, though products do vary in their carb amount and serving amount,” she says. Use caution with sweet pickles, as they are often much higher in net carbs, with some that are up to 8 or 9 grams, which is going to be very high on a keto-style diet.
Spicy varieties may be fine as long as you read the label and check out the carb count listed—any sort of flavoring for the pickle jar should definitely be glanced at before purchasing to make sure the net carb count fits in for your keto carb bank.
Plus, pickles can actually be a great food to enjoy on keto, especially in the beginning! “Pickles are salty which can be helpful if you need the added electrolytes when transitioning to a keto diet,” she says.
So, enjoy your pickles—Just check labels first.
FAQs
Pickles are keto-friendly as long as you buy the correct ones. Dill and sour pickles are your best bet because they only have 3.5 grams of carbs per serving.
What kind of pickles are keto friendly? ›
Luckily, pickles are keto friendly, especially those that are of the dill pickle variety, as sugar is low. “Simply put, sweet pickles are made with sugar which will automatically push the carb count up,” says Hultin. “Dill or salt pickles don't have the added sugar and carbs, naturally,” she says.
Can you eat as many pickles as you want on keto? ›
And, as always, moderation is key. Eating too many pickles can lead to weight gain and other health problems, so enjoy them in moderation. So yes, pickles can be considered keto food, as they are a great low-carb snack option. One small dill pickle contains only 1 gram of carbs.
Can I eat dill pickles on a low-carb diet? ›
Low in Calories and Fat: Pickles are naturally low in calories and fat, making them a guilt-free, low-carb snack option for those watching their calorie intake or trying to maintain a healthy weight.
Should I drink pickle juice on keto? ›
Pickle juice does wonders to help you feel better if you are experience symptoms of the keto flu by helping to balance your electrolytes. Even before I started my low carb way of eating a found out that I could stop my migraines in their tracks with some pickle juice.
Can you eat bread and butter pickles on a keto diet? ›
Pickles can be keto-friendly as long as they don't contain added sugar. In general, you should select dill or sour pickles but avoid sweet, candied, and bread and butter ones.
Are cucumbers OK on keto? ›
Cucumbers are made of 90% water and are almost calorie-free. One cup of cucumbers contains only 16 calories and 3 grams of net carbs, making it a sure fit for a keto plan.
Which fruit is keto-friendly? ›
Keto fruits by definition are low in carbohydrates. You still need to exercise portion control with most keto-friendly fruits to be within the limits of a keto diet. Keto-friendly fruits include avocados, watermelon, strawberries, lemons, tomatoes, raspberries, peaches, cantaloupe, star fruit, and blackberries.
Are hot dogs keto? ›
Hot Dogs Are Keto-Friendly
Hot dogs are made with ingredients that are naturally low in carbs. An average hot dog is about 1.73 grams of total carbs. As for the bun, you can't have a conventional bun in order to follow the keto diet. The average hot dog bun will cost you 24.3 grams of total carbs.
What cheeses are 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.
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.
Is cream cheese keto? ›
Cream cheese: Cream cheese is very popular in the keto diet. At only 84 calories per 1 ounce serving, it has 1 gram of carbs and 2 grams of protein but packs 8 grams of fat per serving. It can be a keto-friendly snack or meal addition when more fat is needed.
Is mayonnaise keto-friendly? ›
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.
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 popcorn keto friendly? ›
Net carbs are calculated by taking the total grams of carbohydrate in a food and subtracting the amount of fiber. In this case, popcorn contains 6 grams of carbs per 1 cup serving and 1.2 grams of fiber, bringing the net carbs per serving to 4.8 grams. Yes friends, popcorn is indeed a keto food.
Is ketchup keto? ›
Traditional store-bought ketchup is a definite no-no on the Keto Diet. It's often made with added sugar and corn syrup. It's one of the danger foods for the Keto Diet.
Are kosher dill pickles keto friendly? ›
Claussen Kosher Dill Halves.
While these pickles may have a few carbs for flavoring, you can find it at most grocery stores and can be eaten on keto in moderation. Grab these if you don't have a local health food store with healthier pickle alternatives.
What pickles have no sugar? ›
- McClure's Pickles.
- Stapster.
- WICKLES.
- Mrs. Mrs. Wages.
- SINCE 1945 MRS. KLEIN'S PICKLES CO. SINCE 1945 MRS. KLEIN'S PI…
- Hold The PickleHold The Pickle.
- Van Holten's PicklesVan Holten's Pickles.
Oh Snaps are keto-friendly, kosher, low-cal, gluten-free, WW 0pt, a natural source of electrolytes, and just plain delicious!
What kind of vinegar is keto? ›
ACV is a flavorful vinegar for salad dressings and marinades. At just 1 gram of carbs per tablespoon (15 mL), it's perfectly keto-friendly. Still, white vinegar and rice vinegar work just as well in the kitchen and are carb-free. Thus, you may want to consider other vinegars instead.
