Is Dark Chocolate Keto-Friendly? (2024)

Dark chocolate is a sweet and delicious treat. Plus, high quality dark chocolate is quite nutritious.

Depending on the cocoa content, dark chocolate can be a rich source of minerals and antioxidants and contain a decent amount of fiber (1).

However, since it contains carbs, you may wonder whether it can fit into the very low carb, high fat ketogenic diet.

This article explores whether dark chocolate can be enjoyed as part of a healthy keto diet.

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Dark chocolate is made by combining fat and sugar with cocoa.

Unlike milk chocolate, dark chocolate is made with little to no milk solids, and it contains less sugar and more cocoa.

However, sugar is typically added to dark chocolate to some extent to counterbalance the bitterness of the cocoa.

Still, not all dark chocolate is created equal. Both its percentage of cocoa and sugar content can vary drastically depending on the brand.

The proportion of cocoa in the final product determines how dark or high quality the chocolate is (2).

As a rule of thumb, high quality dark chocolate comprises at least 70% cocoa, often resulting in a product with less sugar.

High quality dark chocolate is particularly rich in flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants found in plant foods (3).

In fact, high quality dark chocolate contains more flavonoids than many other high antioxidant foods like black tea, red wine, and apples (2).

Due to its rich flavonoid content, high quality dark chocolate has been linked to a variety of health benefits, such as a lower risk of heart disease and improved brain function (4, 5, 6, 7).

Summary

Dark chocolate is a combination of fat, sugar, and cocoa. Chock-full of antioxidants, high quality dark chocolate contains a high percentage of cocoa and less sugar than milk chocolate.

Most sweets and candies are high in carbs and likely need to be limited on a keto diet.

However, compared with other types of chocolate and candies, high quality dark chocolate is reasonably lower in carbs.

Depending on the brand, 1 ounce (28 grams) of 70–85% dark chocolate contains up to 13 grams of carbs and 3 grams of fiber, which means it has about 10 grams of net carbs (8).

Net carbs are calculated by subtracting unabsorbable carbs from the total carb content.

Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that your body doesn’t fully digest. As such, it’s not fully absorbed by your small intestine like other types of carbs (9).

Therefore, most keto experts recommend using net carbs when calculating your daily carb allotment (10).

summary

One ounce (28 grams) of dark chocolate made with 70–85% cocoa contains approximately 10 grams of net carbs.

Depending on your daily carb limit, you may be able to enjoy high quality dark chocolate in moderation.

A standard ketogenic diet typically entails restricting your carb intake to only 5% of your daily calorie intake (11).

For instance, on a 2,000-calorie diet, you would limit your carb intake to about 25 grams of carbs per day.

This means that 1 ounce (28 grams) of high quality dark chocolate would contribute to approximately 40% of your total daily carb allotment (8).

Whether dark chocolate fits into a keto diet largely depends on what else you consume throughout the day.

If you want to enjoy dark chocolate on a keto diet, consider restricting other high carb foods to ensure you don’t exceed your daily carb limit.

Also, it’s important to choose high quality dark chocolate that contains at least 70% cocoa solids.

Dark chocolate with less than 70% cocoa likely contains a higher carb content and may be difficult to fit in without exceeding your carb allotment.

Ultimately, portion control is key. While 1 ounce (28 grams) of high quality dark chocolate can fit into a keto diet, a larger serving will likely exceed your limit.

summary

Dark chocolate can fit into a ketogenic diet. However, it’s important to monitor your portions and choose dark chocolate made with at least 70% cocoa to avoid exceeding your carb limit.

Although dark chocolate is a sweet treat, it’s relatively low in carbs, compared with other types of chocolate and candy.

As long as you carefully monitor your portion size, you may be able to fit dark chocolate into a keto diet.

However, be sure to choose high quality dark chocolate that contains at least 70% cocoa to stay within your daily carb range.

Is Dark Chocolate Keto-Friendly? (2024)

FAQs

Is Dark Chocolate Keto-Friendly? ›

To summarise, yes, dark chocolate can indeed be enjoyed as part of a keto diet, provided it's high in cocoa content (over 70% is ideal) and low in sugar. It's a delightful way to satisfy those sweet cravings while adhering to your dietary plan. The key, as with many indulgences, lies in moderation.

How much dark chocolate can I have on keto? ›

While 1 ounce (28 grams) of high quality dark chocolate can fit into a keto diet, a larger serving will likely exceed your limit. Dark chocolate can fit into a ketogenic diet. However, it's important to monitor your portions and choose dark chocolate made with at least 70% cocoa to avoid exceeding your carb limit.

What chocolate puts you into ketosis? ›

What makes dark chocolate Keto: The high concentration of cocoa solids and lower levels of sugar make dark chocolate a better alternative to milk chocolate on a low-carb diet. Milk chocolate contains 10-50% of cocoa solids. For dark chocolate to be of good quality, more than 70% of cocoa solids are required.

What sweets can I eat on keto? ›

Healthline's picks of the best keto candies
  • SmartSweets Gummy Bears.
  • ChocZero White Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.
  • Lily's Dark Chocolate Covered Caramels.
  • Go Better Keto Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Butter Cups.
  • Stevita Naturals Hard Candy.
  • Cocomels Coconut Milk Caramels in Sea Salt.
  • Dr. ...
  • BHU Keto Truffle Fat Bombs.
Sep 18, 2020

Will one cheat day ruin ketosis? ›

Unfortunately, there are numerous downsides to increasing your carbohydrate intake, even for a single day while you're on a ketogenic diet. Most importantly, eating above 50 grams of carbs for your cheat day will very likely take you out of ketosis. Starches and sugars both create a spike in blood sugar levels.

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.

Will dark chocolate break ketosis? ›

Yes, you can eat dark chocolate on a keto diet, provided it is high in cocoa content (ideally over 70%) and low in sugar. Remember to consume it in moderation to ensure that you stay within your daily carb limits. Always check the nutritional information before indulging.

Is Ghirardelli dark chocolate keto friendly? ›

Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate Squares — 92% Cacao

At 92% cacao, you can enjoy this dark chocolate on keto without any guilt. The exceptionally high cacao percentage helps lower its carb count despite it having added sugar.

Will one piece of chocolate ruin keto? ›

It's unlikely that a small piece of chocolate will kick you out of ketosis; however, this depends on the amount you eat. Chocolate with a high sugar content will significantly impact your blood sugar levels and insulin response, potentially affecting your ketosis.

What to eat when you crave chocolate on keto? ›

You could also have other keto-friendly snacks, like a cheese stick, some beef jerky, or a hardboiled egg. Satisfy your sweet tooth with keto-friendly sweet snacks like a small piece of dark chocolate or berries with cream. Look for a snack with some protein, if possible, and some fat.

How do I satisfy my sweet tooth on keto? ›

Incorporate keto-friendly fruits: While fruits are typically high in carbohydrates, there are some keto-friendly options like berries, avocados, and coconuts. These fruits can be used to make keto-friendly desserts like berry sorbet or avocado mousse.

Is popcorn ok for keto? ›

Net carbs are calculated by taking the total grams of carbohydrate in a food and subtracting the amount of fiber. In this case, popcorn contains 6 grams of carbs per 1 cup serving and 1.2 grams of fiber, bringing the net carbs per serving to 4.8 grams. Yes friends, popcorn is indeed a keto food.

Can you eat bananas on keto? ›

Keto Fruits to Avoid

Some of the best fruits to avoid on a keto diet include bananas, grapes, mangos, and pineapples since they are all relatively high in carbs. Dried fruits like raisins, dates, and apricots are also generally not keto-friendly since they are very high in carbs and sugar.

Will a slice of pizza ruin keto? ›

Regular Crust

If you're limiting your carbs to 20-50 grams per day, one slice of this type of crust will likely kick you out of ketosis.

Can you do 5 days on 2 days off keto? ›

Keto cycling doesn't have a strict definition. Some people choose to have five or six days on keto followed by a day or two off. Others will do keto for 10 to 12 days followed by three to four days off. Devine typically doesn't recommend taking more than two days off keto.

Will a slice of cake ruin keto? ›

It Could Take You Out of Ketosis

For example, if you enjoy a slice of birthday cake at a friend's celebration, be sure to stock up on plenty of leafy greens and high-quality protein throughout the day. It's a good idea to test your ketone levels to know if you've been kicked out of ketosis.

How much chocolate will kick you out of ketosis? ›

It's unlikely that a small piece of chocolate will kick you out of ketosis; however, this depends on the amount you eat. Chocolate with a high sugar content will significantly impact your blood sugar levels and insulin response, potentially affecting your ketosis.

Is 100 cacao dark chocolate keto-friendly? ›

That's right, the keto diet and chocolate are 100% compatible, if you try 100% cocoa chocolate bars, which tend to have only 8g of carbs per 100g! Absolute Black 100% Dark Chocolate from Montezuma's is one example.

Is Lindt 90% dark chocolate keto-friendly? ›

Lindt Excellence 90 percent Cocoa Supreme

Walsh says this dark chocolate bar from Lindt is keto-friendly, thanks to its mega-high cacao percentage. "It clocks in at around 7 grams of carbs per serving," she says.

Is 60 dark chocolate keto? ›

Can you eat dark chocolate on keto? Yes — if you stick to a higher concentration of cacao solids and eat in moderation. For example, a 1 oz (30 g) serving of 100% cacao dark chocolate may contain just 3 grams of net carbs, whereas a full bar at 70-85% may contain 35 grams[*][*].

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