Best Fish and Seafood on a Keto Diet | NC Seafood (2024)

Best Fish and Seafood on a Keto Diet | NC Seafood (1)

The Ketogenic, or Keto, Diet is a diet high in protein and fats and very low in carbohydrates. Seafood is great for people on the keto diet as it is a naturally lean meat which is high in protein and healthy Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. The keto diet is great for people looking to lose weight and can also cause significant reductions in blood sugar and insulin levels. With the lessened carb load, the body goes into a state of ‘ketosis’ and becomes extremely efficient at burning excess fat.

While it can be difficult at first to adjust to the keto diet and its limitations, you can still enjoy a variety of meals with vegetables and proteins, making seafood a great option!

The Best Seafood and Fish for a Keto Diet

High in protein and very few carbs, fish and seafood are perfect for those on the keto diet! Here are some of the best choices that align with the Keto guidelines:

Salmon

A 3.5 oz (100g) serving of Atlantic salmon has 21 grams of protein, 4.4 grams of fat, including healthy Omega-3, and absolutely no carbs. The fatty acid profile of salmon varies depending on whether it is wild-caught or farm-raised with farm-raised salmon being fattier. This fish is extremely versatile and can be grilled, broiled or baked. Salmon can be as extravagant or as simple as you like. An easy option is simply brushing the filet with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

Mahi-Mahi

Mahi-mahi has a sweet, mild flavor and a firm, smooth texture that can be baked, broiled, or grilled. A 100 gram serving of Mahi-Mahi has 19 grams of protein, and no carbs, but is slightly less fatty than other fish with just under 1 gram of fat. As with Salmon, Mahi-Mahi can be as dressed up as you want, but a great, easy option is prepared with a light, lemon, and garlic sauce.

Flounder

Another option is flounder which is a leaner fish, especially compared to salmon, with 12 grams of protein and 2 grams of fat per 100 gram serving. Flounder is a light and flaky fish with a delicate, almost sweet taste. This is a great option for people who do not prefer a “fishy” taste, but still want the health benefits that come with incorporating seafood into their diet.

Bay Scallops & Shrimp

Another light lunch or dinner option are bay scallops. While they aren’t as fatty as other seafoods, they pack 19 grams of protein into a 100 gram serving. This makes them a great contender for a keto diet. Similar to scallops, shrimp provide 13 grams of protein, but also little of the healthy fats you can find in other options. One thing to be aware of with shrimp is their higher cholesterol level (125mg). It may be wise to add some variety to your seafood meals.

A Keto-Friendly Seafood Recipe

If you feel like enjoying a delicious dinner at home you can quickly prepare, try this salmon recipe.

Keto-Friendly Garlic Butter Salmon

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. salmon fillet
  • 4 tbsp. melted butter
  • 1/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp. freshly chopped parsley
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Line a baking sheet with foil, and oil lightly. Place salmon on top and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
  2. In a bowl, combine melted butter, parmesan cheese, garlic and parsley. Cover the salmon with this mixture and pat it into an even layer.
  3. Bake for 25 minutes, or until salmon is cooked through. Broil the salmon an additional 2 minutes, until the top is golden brown.

Recipe Courtesy of Delish.

Visit NC Seafood for Keto Friendly Meals

You might be wondering if NC Seafood, known for our fried Calabash style seafood, has keto-friendly options, and to that we say “Of course”! We offer delicious broiled seafood options including scallops, mahi-mahi, and flounder, and you can pair them with light, flavorful garden salads for a healthy, low carb meal.Visit us at the State Farmer’s Market and eat here or order online to get it to go!

Best Fish and Seafood on a Keto Diet | NC Seafood (2024)

FAQs

Best Fish and Seafood on a Keto Diet | NC Seafood? ›

Cod – Cod makes the cut on our keto list because it's low in carbohydrates – just 2% of your recommended daily value. Mackerel – Its oily, dark flesh makes it a keto diet necessity because of its high fat content. Tuna – Think beyond the can and try wild fresh tuna in your favorite keto fish recipes.

What is the best seafood for keto diet? ›

Cod – Cod makes the cut on our keto list because it's low in carbohydrates – just 2% of your recommended daily value. Mackerel – Its oily, dark flesh makes it a keto diet necessity because of its high fat content. Tuna – Think beyond the can and try wild fresh tuna in your favorite keto fish recipes.

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.

Is crab and shrimp keto-friendly? ›

Seafood is high in healthy fats

This makes seafood an excellent choice for keto diets. Across the board, it contains extremely low (or zero) carbs, making it naturally keto-friendly.

Is shrimp good for ketosis? ›

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.

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.

What seafood is not keto? ›

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.

What is the number one worst carb? ›

1. Sugary Foods. Most people already think of many of the foods in this category as unhealthy treats. Candy, soft drinks, and sweet desserts such as cake, chocolate, and ice cream are all expected entries on a list of carbs to avoid to lose weight.

What happens if I eat no carbs for a month? ›

Severe carb limits can cause your body to break down fat into ketones for energy. This is called ketosis. Ketosis can cause side effects such as bad breath, headache, fatigue and weakness.

What foods fill you up but are low in carbs? ›

36 tasty, low-carb foods that will keep you full and satisfied
  • Avocado. A whole avocado has about 15 grams of carbs, but you're unlikely to eat the entire thing in one sitting, so it's more realistic that you'll get 4 or 5 carbs in one meal or snack. ...
  • Broccoli. ...
  • Coconut oil. ...
  • Eggplant. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Grapefruit. ...
  • Greek yogurt. ...
  • Green beans.
Mar 20, 2024

How many shrimp can I eat on keto? ›

A three-ounce serving of raw shrimp contains 0.2 grams of net carbs, so you can eat shrimp on a ketogenic diet. You also won't have to restrict your intake as the carb content is almost nonexistent.

What vegetables are good for keto? ›

Plenty of low-carb vegetable options include arugula, asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, mushrooms, spinach, and tomatoes. Those vegetables provide other benefits like reducing the risk of certain chronic diseases, containing antioxidants, and providing filling fiber.

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 ).

What foods speed up ketosis? ›

The following is a list of the best healthy food options for a keto diet.
  • Fish and seafood. Fish and shellfish are good choices if you're following a keto diet. ...
  • Meat and poultry. ...
  • Non-starchy vegetables. ...
  • Avocados. ...
  • Berries. ...
  • Nuts and seeds. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • High-fat dairy products.
Mar 24, 2024

What fruit can I eat on keto? ›

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.

Is chicken or fish better for keto diet? ›

Foods you can eat on the keto diet include fish and seafood, meat and poultry, non-starchy vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and zucchini, avocados, berries, nuts and seeds, eggs, high-fat dairy products, olive oil and other oils, and high-cocoa chocolate.

What seafood is high in carbs? ›

Fish flesh contains virtually no carbohydrate. Not so for shellfish. A number of shellfish contain a significant percentage of calories (10 – 25%) as carbohydrate, including oysters, mussels, abalone, whelk, clams, octopus and scallops.

Is a crab boil keto? ›

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.

What kind of tuna can you eat on keto? ›

Yellowfin Tuna Pouch, StarKist E.V.O.O. Wild-caught Pink Salmon Pouch, StarKist E.V.O.O. Yellowfin Tuna with Sun-dried Tomato Pouch and StarKist E.V.O.O. Sardines in Extra Virgin Olive Oil are all great choices to incorporate into easy, keto-friendly recipes.

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