Carbs in Cabbage: Is Cabbage Keto Friendly? (2024)

  • Overview
  • Carbs in Cabbage
  • Cabbage Nutrition
  • Recipes
  • Bottom Line

Vegetables are good sources of fiber on the keto diet, but it’s important to take note that not all veggies are low in carbohydrates. Cabbage is definitely one of the best options you can have, thanks to its macronutrient and micronutrient profile. For those who are asking about the carbs in cabbage, read this guide to find the answers, plus recipes that incorporate cabbage.

Carbs in Cabbage: Is Cabbage Keto Friendly? (1)

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Is Cabbage Keto?

Cabbage is suitable for keto dieters because it has very few carbohydrates. If you want something that will fill you up without kicking you out of ketosis, cabbage makes an excellent choice. It’s packed with fiber and micronutrients like vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, and phenolic substances with health benefits (*).

On the keto diet, you’re allowed only less than 50 grams of carbs per day. This makes cabbage a good fit for those controlling their carb intake.

Eating cabbage on keto is easy — you can serve it raw, boil it, steam it, or roast it in the oven. In fact, there are plenty of keto recipes that use cabbage, which we’ll explore later in this article. With that being said, cabbage is versatile and can support your weight loss and fitness goals on a very low-carb lifestyle!

Carbs in Cabbage

Different varieties of cabbage exist, which slightly vary in their net carbs (total carbs minus dietary fiber). For example, one cup of shredded green cabbage contains 2.31 grams of net carbs per cup while one cup of red cabbage contains 3.69 grams of net carbs (*, *). It helps to check the carb count before using a type of cabbage for your keto meals.

We’ve prepared a table below showing four cabbage varieties with their net carbs:

Type of CabbageNet Carbs (1 cup, shredded)
Green cabbage, chopped2.31 grams net carbs (*)
Red cabbage, chopped3.69 grams net carbs (*)
Napa cabbage, shredded2 grams net carbs (*)
Savoy cabbage, shredded2.1 grams net carbs (*)

Other Nutrients in Cabbage

As a health-boosting food, cabbage contains several micronutrients, such as:

  • Vitamin C: 25.6 mg per cup
  • Vitamin E: 0.105 mg per cup
  • Calcium: 28 mg per cup
  • Iron: 0.329 mg per cup
  • Magnesium: 8.4 mg per cup
  • Phosphorus: 18.2 mg per cup
  • Potassium: 119 mg per cup
  • Sodium: 12.6 mg per cup

These vitamins and minerals offer many health benefits. For example, vitamin C in cabbage helps with forming collagen and repairing body tissues, while calcium promotes bone growth and maintenance.

Carbs in Cabbage: Is Cabbage Keto Friendly? (2)

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Although cabbage is keto-friendly, it’s not an important source of protein and fat, which also matter on keto. One cup of green cabbage contains:

  • Protein: Only 1 gram per cup
  • Fat: Zero grams

To meet your protein and fat needs, we recommend pairing or serving cabbage with chicken, pork, lamb, turkey, beef steak, salmon, or eggs.

Carbs in Cabbage: Is Cabbage Keto Friendly? (3)

Keto Recipes with Cabbage

Check out these cabbage recipes that will add deliciousness and fiber to your weekly keto meals. Have them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack time.

  • Stir Fry With Cabbage Noodles: Traditional noodles are off-limits on the keto diet, which is why cabbage can be a wonderful alternative. Enjoy this savory stir-fry meal with just 4.8 grams of carbs and 14.8 grams of fat.
  • Low-Carb Romanesco With Cabbage Noodles: With this delicious low-carb version of your favorite food, you won’t feel deprived at all. Feel free to add crispy bacon slices if you’re also craving meat. One serving has 5 grams of carbs, 22.6 grams of fat, and 4.8 grams of protein.
  • Easy Keto Crack Slaw: This crack slaw is the perfect choice for those who love a meaty lunch or a side dish. You can use ground beef or ground chicken instead of ground pork. One serving has 5.4 grams of carbs, 8.9 grams of fat, and 26.2 grams of protein.
  • Loaded Keto Coleslaw: In case you’re looking for something to serve your guests, try this savory and crunchy dish. This coleslaw is even better because it includes cheddar cheese and bacon! A cup has only 1 gram of net carbs.

The Bottom Line

So, can you eat cabbage on keto? Some veggies may contain many carbs — and fortunately, cabbage isn’t one of them. At less than 5 grams of net carbs per serving (whether you’re eating green, red, napa, or savoy cabbage), you’ll be sure to stay in ketosis.

Carbs in Cabbage: Is Cabbage Keto Friendly? (4)

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Just keep in mind that cabbage isn’t the best source of protein and fat, so make sure to incorporate a variety of meats, eggs, and seafood into your diet. Cabbage is versatile and nutritious, you can add it to any recipe — coleslaw, keto noodles, and so much more!

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Carbs in Cabbage: Is Cabbage Keto Friendly? (2024)

FAQs

Carbs in Cabbage: Is Cabbage Keto Friendly? ›

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.

Can I eat as much cabbage as I want on keto? ›

Cabbage is another great vegetable that will fit within your keto restrictions. One cup of raw cabbage provides only 2.9 grams of net carbs and 25 calories. Cabbage is also an anti-inflammatory food that is also a good source of vitamin C. Green beans are another keto-friendly vegetable.

Is cabbage a good carb or bad carb? ›

Cabbage is a low-carb, vitamin C–rich vegetable that fits well into a keto diet. Enjoy it raw in salads, cooked in main dishes, or fermented to add a pleasant funkiness to meals.

Which cabbage is lowest in carbs? ›

White cabbage (5.37g of carbs per 100g)

White cabbage contains the least carbohydrates compared to other varieties.

How many carbs are in 1 cup of cooked cabbage? ›

Cabbage, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt, 1 cup, shredded
Protein (g)0.76
Total lipid (fat) (g)0.32
Carbohydrate, by difference (g)3.34
Energy (kcal)16.5
Sugars, total (g)2.19
34 more rows

Can I eat cucumbers on keto? ›

Cucumber is another popular salad vegetable. It contains many essential nutrients, including vitamin K. Cucumber is also suitable for the keto diet, as its carb content is just 3.63 g per 100 g. To make the carb content lower, a person can peel the cucumber before eating it.

Can you eat unlimited vegetables 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.

What is the lowest carb vegetable? ›

Our top 20 best low-carb vegetables
  • Watercress – 0.1g. ...
  • Rocket – 0.1g. ...
  • Button mushrooms – 0.3g. ...
  • Curly kale – 1.4g. ...
  • Lettuce – 1.4g. ...
  • Celery – 1.4g. ...
  • Radish – 1.4g. ...
  • Spinach – 1.6g.
Jun 24, 2020

Are tomatoes keto? ›

Botanically speaking, tomatoes are considered a fruit. However, unlike other fruit, they're considered keto-friendly. That's because tomatoes contain around 2–3 grams of net carbs per 3.5 ounces (100 grams) — or up to 10 times fewer net carbs than most fruit — regardless of their variety ( 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ).

Are carrots keto-friendly? ›

The bottom line. Carrots can be eaten on keto, but it may be difficult to include them regularly or in large quantities, as they contain a fair amount of carbs. Some less starchy alternatives to enjoy raw or cooked include celery, broccoli, and cauliflower.

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.

What vegetables can you not eat 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.

Is celery keto-friendly? ›

Celery sticks are a low calorie, low carb food that a person can eat while following a keto diet. According to the USDA , 110 g of celery — or about nine celery sticks — contains around 3 g of carbs. Celery sticks are excellent choices for dipping in nut butters, such as unsweetened peanut or almond butter.

Is cabbage healthier, cooked or raw? ›

Even Raw, It's Great for You

Although you get different nutrients if you cook or ferment it, raw red cabbage in particular might give you the best nutritional boost per serving. Slice it very thinly and leave it for about 10 minutes to help bring out the fullest, most complex flavors.

Does cooking cabbage increase carbs? ›

Is cabbage low carb when cooked? Yes, but cooked cabbage contains more net carbs by volume. For example, a 1-cup serving of shredded, boiled cabbage will yield 5.4 grams of net carbs [*].

How much cabbage should I eat a day? ›

You don't have to know the names of all the good things in your cabbage–just eat it! To get the most benefit, try to consume ½ to ¾ cup cooked or 1 ½ cup raw cabbage per day at least 5 days per week.

Can you overeat vegetables on keto? ›

“Even though all vegetables have health value, eating too much of some will likely push you over your carb limit.” Worried about their carb counts, some people avoid veggies altogether when they go keto.

Why am I losing weight off the cabbage diet? ›

Because the Cabbage Soup Diet is very low in calories, it will likely result in short-term weight loss. However, most of that weight is likely to come back as soon as you stop the diet. Because the food choices on this diet are limited, it makes it difficult to eat enough calories to maintain your body weight.

How many pounds can you lose on the cabbage diet? ›

The Cabbage Soup fad diet promises dieters can lose up to 10 pounds in seven days. The main reason for this is that it severely restricts calories. Do not go below 1,200 calories a day without a doctor's supervision. The Cabbage Soup diet is a low-calorie fad diet designed for quick short-term weight loss.

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