Are Beets Keto-Friendly?
Are Beets Keto-Friendly? The answer isn't as simple as it might seem.
While beets are packed with essential nutrients and offer numerous health benefits, they are only keto-friendly in moderation due to their carbohydrate content.
In this article, we delve into the specifics of beet's carb count, how these vibrant root vegetables can be moderately consumed within a ketogenic lifestyle, and their overall nutritional value.
Please note that although beets can be part of a keto diet, they must be strictly limited to avoid disrupting ketosis.
Let's dive in and explore all things beets and keto.
TL;DR
Are Beets Keto-Friendly?
The compatibility of beets with a ketogenic diet often raises questions, primarily due to their carbohydrate content. To answer succinctly: Beets can be included in a ketogenic diet, but only in moderation and under strict portion controls.
The reason behind this moderation lies in the nutritional profile of beets. Specifically, beets contain approximately 6.76g of carbs per 100g. For those adhering to a keto diet, this amount is noteworthy as it represents the net carbs, that is, total carbs minus fiber. In the context of a standard serving size of 100g, this equates to a net carb intake of 6.76g from beets alone.
Can You Have Beets on a Strict Keto Diet?
Incorporating beets into a strict ketogenic diet requires careful attention due to its carbohydrate content. When following a strict ketogenic diet, the daily net carb allowance is typically less than 20g. Given that beets contain 6.76g of net carbs per 100g serving, their inclusion needs to be meticulously portioned to ensure it doesn't interfere with maintaining a state of ketosis.
While it's possible to include beets in a strict ketogenic diet, it's important to remember that the quantity must be significantly limited. Alternatively, a slightly more lenient approach to the ketogenic diet allows for a higher daily limit of net carbs, between 30 to 50g. This flexibility can make it easier to accommodate foods like beets, but again, portion control remains crucial.
Carbs In Beets
Beets contain a significant amount of carbohydrates, specifically 6.76g of net carbs per 100g serving. Net carbs are computed by subtracting the dietary fiber content from the total carbohydrates, providing a more accurate measure of the carbs that directly impact blood sugar levels.
Beets Nutrition Facts
Beets are packed with a variety of nutrients in every 100g serving. They contain 9.56g carbohydrates, from which 6.76g are net carbs, and 2.8g is dietary fiber. Despite being low in protein with 1.61g, beets offer a notable range of essential amino acids, including 0.07g leucine and 0.06g lysine.
The vegetable is virtually fat-free, with just 0.17g total fats, including 0.03g each of saturated and monounsaturated fats, and 0.06g polyunsaturated fats. Energy provision comes in at a minimalist 43kcal.
Beets do not lag in micronutrients either. For instance, they provide 78.0mg of sodium and a remarkable 325.0mg of potassium, instrumental for maintaining fluid balance. You can also find essential minerals like iron (0.8mg), zinc (0.35mg), and calcium (16.0mg), not forgetting magnesium (23.0mg) and phosphorous (40.0mg).
A unique element in beets is betaine, with 128.7mg present per 100g serving. Betaine contributes to liver function and detoxification. Beets also contain a wide range of vitamins, including modest amounts of vitamin A, B-6, C, E, and K1, and a striking level of folate (109.0ug). They are also a natural source of beta-carotene and contain a plethora of B-vitamins like thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid, which are beneficial for energy production and brain health.
| Nutrient Name | Amount and Unit per 100g |
|---|---|
| Net Carbs | 6.76g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 9.56g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.8g |
| Total fats | 0.17g |
| Protein | 1.61g |
| Sodium, Na | 78.0mg |
| Potassium, K | 325.0mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 23.0mg |
| Calcium, Ca | 16.0mg |
| Vitamin A | 2.0ug |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.07mg |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 4.9mg |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.04mg |
| Vitamin K1 | 0.2ug |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.8mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 40.0mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.7ug |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.35mg |
| Beta-carotene | 20.0ug |
| Betaine | 128.7mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.33mg |
| Thiamin | 0.03mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.04mg |
| Niacin | 0.33mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.16mg |
| Folate, total | 109.0ug |
| Choline, total | 6.0mg |
| Calories | 43.0kcal |
| Water | 87.58g |
| Tryptophan | 0.02g |
| Threonine | 0.05g |
| Isoleucine | 0.05g |
| Leucine | 0.07g |
| Lysine | 0.06g |
| Methionine | 0.02g |
| Cystine | 0.02g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.05g |
| Tyrosine | 0.04g |
| Valine | 0.06g |
| Arginine | 0.04g |
| Histidine | 0.02g |
| Alanine | 0.06g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.12g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.43g |
| Glycine | 0.03g |
| Proline | 0.04g |
| Serine | 0.06g |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.03g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.03g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.06g |
Health Implications of Beets on a Keto Diet
While beets can offer numerous health benefits, their inclusion in a ketogenic diet comes with potential challenges. The primary concern is their carbohydrate content, which, if not properly managed, could complicate the maintenance of ketosis. Consuming beets without keeping a strict eye on portion size may result in exceeding the daily carb limit of a ketogenic diet, disrupting the metabolic state of ketosis critical for the diet's effectiveness.
Incorporating Beets Into Your Keto Meal Plan
- Portion control is key when incorporating beets into a ketogenic meal plan. Consider using beets as a garnish or a minor ingredient in salads or stir-fries, rather than as a main component of a meal. This way, you can enjoy their distinct flavor without consuming too many carbs.
- Pair beets with other keto-friendly foods to balance out the carb count. For instance, beets can be paired with high-protein and high-fat foods like avocados, eggs, or fatty cuts of meat. This can help ensure you stay within your daily carb limit.
- Experiment with keto-friendly beet recipes. For example, a beet 'hummus' made with steamed beets, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic can be a great low-carb dip for veggies. Or, thinly sliced roasted beets can add a burst of color and flavor to a keto-friendly salad with mixed greens, goat cheese, and pecans.
Keto-Compatible Alternatives for Beets
- Radishes: Radishes are a low-carb root vegetable that can be a great alternative to beets. They can be roasted, grilled, or eaten raw, just like beets, but with a fraction of the carbs.
- Zucchini: This versatile vegetable can be used in a variety of dishes, from stir-fries to salads. They offer a similar texture to cooked beets but with significantly fewer carbs.
- Cucumbers: Cucumbers are another low-carb alternative to beets. They can add a pleasant crunch to any salad or can be pickled for a tangy treat.
Concluding Thoughts on Beets and Keto
The keto-compatibility of beets is a nuanced topic. While they are not inherently incompatible with a ketogenic diet, their relatively high carbohydrate content makes them a challenging food to incorporate. It's important to remember that the strict daily carb limit of a keto diet means that even small amounts of high-carb foods like beets can potentially disrupt ketosis.
However, it's not all doom and gloom for beet lovers. With careful portion control and diligent carb tracking, it's possible to include beets in a keto diet in moderation. Pairing beets with high-fat, low-carb foods can also help offset their carb content.
For those who find the carb count of beets too challenging to manage, there are plenty of keto-friendly alternatives to consider. Radishes, zucchinis, cucumbers, and even celery root can offer similar culinary experiences with far fewer carbs.
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