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. Spiced pickles are also keto since brands will normally just add spices like mustard seeds, allspice berries and red pepper flakes.
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 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.
Can you eat kosher dill pickles on keto diet? ›
Dill pickles, for example, typically contain less than 1 gram of carbohydrates per serving, making them an excellent choice for those following a ketogenic diet. Similarly, many other pickles, such as kosher and sour, also have low carbs.
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.
Can you eat Claussen pickles on keto? ›
Here's a list of a few ketogenic-approved pickles to choose from: 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.
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 good for keto? ›
Some cheeses suit the keto diet better than others. This mainly comes down to their carb and fat content and level of processing. The best keto cheeses include cheddar, Gouda, goat cheese, and blue cheese, while the worst are cottage cheese and low fat and processed varieties.
Is peanut butter keto friendly? ›
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.
It's totally fine and safe to eat up to 6 eggs a day while on the keto diet. You can consume even more eggs per day occasionally, as long as you make sure that you eat your greens, healthy fats and proteins from other sources.
Is watermelon OK on keto? ›
Watermelon is also a keto-friendly fruit. Watermelon is full of water and low in carbohydrates compared to many other popular fruits. One cup of diced watermelon contains 11.5 grams of net carbs (the total carbs minus grams of fiber). 4 Fiber per serving is 0.6 grams.
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.
Can you eat olives on keto? ›
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 mayonnaise keto friendly? ›
Keto Mayo Nutrition Information
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.
Are bell peppers keto? ›
Vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes can be great for the keto diet since they have few carbs. In contrast, carrots, corn, green peas, and white potatoes are not keto-friendly since they contain a lot of starch, a type of carb.
What pickles have no sugar? ›
Mt. Olive offers a full line of No Sugar Added pickles, which are sweetened with the no calorie SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener.
Can I eat oh snap pickles on keto? ›
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.
