Avoid These Shellfish If You're Following The Keto Diet - Mashed (2024)

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Avoid These Shellfish If You're Following The Keto Diet - Mashed (3)

Avoid These Shellfish If You're Following The Keto Diet

Avoid These Shellfish If You're Following The Keto Diet - Mashed (4)

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ByMirtle Pena-Calderon/

Dieting has a long history — so long, that it can be traced back to ancient Greece. According to The Atlantic, the word diet derives from the Greek word diaita, which focused not only on a healthy mind, but also a healthy body. Fast forward a few centuries, and the health and wellness markets are riddled with diet trends: the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, the Atkins diet, and most recently, the Ketogenic diet. Medical News Today explains that the Keto diet follows the principle of eating more healthy fats while lowering the amount of carbohydrates one eats (this helps the body burn fat as fuel).

Following the Keto diet means that folks have to be very careful about the foods they eat, as some foods, like yogurt, coleslaw, balsamic oil, and sun-dried tomatoes, all possess levels of hidden carbohydrates in them, per Eat This, Not That!. Another set of unsuspecting foods that possess carbs? Well, according to Healthline, certain types of shellfish include surprising levels of carbs (#gasp).

Steer clear of things like oysters and clams

Avoid These Shellfish If You're Following The Keto Diet - Mashed (5)

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For the most part, seafood is a safe bet when you're looking for a low-to-nonexistent source of carb-free meat, but there are certain types of shellfish that you'll need to steer clear of. Healthline reports that although things like crabs and shrimp are safe, you should be careful when it comes to some others — for instance, clams, mussels, and oysters.

The Paleo Diet cites how 100 grams of raw oysters, mussels, clams, whelk, abalone, and scallops contained high levels of carbohydrates. In addition to this, the blog cites some non-shellfish seafood like cooked octopus as something that people who are living a Keto lifestyle should eat with caution.

In addition to shrimp and crabs, The Paleo Diet also lists lobster and raw octopus as things that are low in carbs. Carb Manager explains that hidden carbs can be a huge hindrance to a successful Keto diet because if you aren't careful, you can easily go over the limit of 10 percent of your calories in net carbs per day.

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Avoid These Shellfish If You're Following The Keto Diet - Mashed (2024)

FAQs

Avoid These Shellfish If You're Following The Keto Diet - Mashed? ›

Steer clear of things like oysters and clams

What shellfish are keto-friendly? ›

Fish and shellfish are very keto-friendly. Salmon and other fish are not only nearly carb-free but also rich in B vitamins, potassium, and selenium ( 9 ). However, the carb count in shellfish varies by type. While shrimp and most crabs contain no carbs, oysters and octopus do.

Can you eat clams on the keto diet? ›

Clams have carbs in them. Does that mean you can't eat them on a keto diet? No.

Can I eat shrimp on a keto diet? ›

If you're following a keto diet, shrimp is keto-friendly, virtually carb-free, and very low in fat and calories. Healthy, clean proteins like shrimp make it painless to limit carbs, and the low fat and calorie counts mean you can manage weight while feeling full and enjoying fantastic meals.

What seafood has no carbs? ›

Mahi-Mahi. This is another excellent seafood choice if you are on the keto diet. While it may be slightly less fatty than other fish, Mahi-Mahi is an excellent choice source of protein with no carbs. Moreover, Mahi-Mahi has a mild and sweet taste with a smooth texture, so you may bake, grill, or broil it.

Can I eat mussels on a keto diet? ›

Mussels are a type of shellfish that's high in protein and low in carbs, making them a great choice for a keto diet. They're also a good source of iron and vitamin B12. You can enjoy mussels steamed, grilled, or in a soup.

Are tomatoes keto friendly? ›

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 ).

Is sea salt OK for keto? ›

Make sure that you add some extra Sea Salt to your diet to avoid experiencing a sodium deficiency with some of its side effects. The Keto diet is one of the hottest weight loss trends right now. It's a high fat, low carb eating plan whose goal is for the body to switch from burning sugar to burning fat for energy.

What vegetables are not keto-friendly? ›

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.

Are cucumbers 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.

What 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.

Can I eat bananas on keto? ›

Despite the many health benefits of fruit, there is an issue with some fruits on the keto diet. Grapes and bananas, for instance, contain high quantities of carbs. 1 cup of grapes has approximately 26 grams and a medium banana, 24 grams of carbohydrate. As a rule, these fruits should be avoided.

Can you eat peanut butter on 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 crab and lobster keto friendly? ›

Lobster is very keto-friendly. In fact, the majority of fish and seafood can be eaten while on the keto diet. This is because seafood such as lobster are low in carbs—the exact type of food you want to be eating a low-carb diet.

Is lobster OK for keto? ›

Yes, you can enjoy delicious, succulent lobster on the Keto Diet. Lobster Is high in protein and carb-free, which makes it the perfect staple for a Keto meal. You'll also get other nutrients when you eat lobster such as calcium, iron and a hefty dose of selenium.

Why is imitation crab not keto? ›

For example, imitation crab derives most of its calories from added carbs. The calories in an Alaskan king crab are derived from proteins, not from carbs. If you're on a keto or low-carb diet and are trying to cut your carb intake, real crab would be the better choice.

Is crab boil keto friendly? ›

Traditionally seafood boil is not Keto friendly unless you eat around the potatoes and corn! However, you can make a delicious seafood boil that is Keto like we have in this recipe, using cauliflower florets instead of potatoes and corn. It is a really nice substitute and is equally delicious without all the carbs.

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