Fruit is a staple of a healthy diet, a perfect snack, and a great on-the-go breakfast. But if you’re on a low-carb diet, does the sugar that’s naturally present in fruit make it off limits? Are there any low-carb fruits you can eat and still stay on-track?
Overall, the answer is yes. “People believe that fruits should be restricted or avoided all together because they are high in sugar. However, this is a very common misconception,” explains nutrition therapist Karin Kaplan Grumet, RD/CEDRD.
There are plenty of benefits to fruit, and according to the USDA, adults should get about two cups of fruit per day. Not only do they have valuable nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and folic acid, there is also fiber in fruit that takes a long time for our bodies to digest, helping you to feel fuller and more satisfied for longer.
But fruit does contains a significant amount of carbs per serving, thanks to the naturally occurring sugar fructose. That’s why it’s recommend that people who are following a low-carb diet, like the ketogenic diet, decrease the amount of fruit they eat.
“However, there’s some fruit that can pass the test,” says Grumet. If you’re following a low-carb diet and are wondering what fruits you can still eat, here are some common fruit varietals, ranked from the least amount of carbs to the most.
1. Cherry Tomatoes
Yes, tomatoes are a fruit! You might not eat them like an apple, but they’re just as delectably sweet and juicy when ripe, helping you satisfy that craving for just under six grams of carbs per cup.
2. Clementines
This tasty citrus is a variety of mandarin oranges. They’re small enough for a sweet afternoon snack, so keep a few on hand for when you need a refreshing treat!
3. Kiwi
Don’t let their furry exterior throw you off — kiwis are a great low-carb fruit that a solid grocery list staples. They’re also in season for nearly the whole year, excluding summer. One fruit has just 42 calories, so you can give your sweet tooth a nice fix with this low-cal fruit.
4. Strawberries
For peak strawberry deliciousness, enjoy them during spring and summer when they’re in season. Pro-tip: the smaller the berry, the more intense the flavor is!
And although you may thing that citrus is king when it comes to vitamin C, one cup of strawberries actually has 149 percent of your daily needs of this vitamin!
5. Blackberries
Compared to other berries, blackberries are fairly low in sugar, with only 7 grams per cup. They make a great addition to yogurt, and can also be mixed into salads for a sweet contrast.
6. Raspberries
Another lower carb berry on this list, raspberries are in their prime in the summer and fall months. If you’re trying to decide whether to splurge for organic raspberries, research shows that it might be worth it, finding organic raspberries to be significantly higher in total antioxidant capacity than non-organic raspberries.
7. Peaches
Speaking of organic vs. non-organic fruits, peaches were second on the list of produce with the most pesticides, just under apples. So if you can go organic for this particular low-carb fruit, it’s probably worth it!
8. Apples
You’ve probably heard the saying about an apple a day keeping the doctor away, but what about an apple a day keeping the pounds away? Research has shown that consuming apples can lead to weight loss in overweight individuals. However, it’s not determined what kind of apple, or how much to consume, but it’s a promising start.
9. Honeydew
A staple of fruit salads, honeydew really shines in the summer. So if you pick up this melon, make sure it’s during the summer months so you can get the most flavor. It’s also a pretty low-calorie fruit — you can enjoy a whole cup for just 61 calories!
10. Plums
A kind of stone fruit (along with peaches and mangos), plums can be great as a topping for yogurt or cereal, and are also easy to enjoy just as they are. Keep one on hand for a small snack — one plum is just 30 calories and 7.5 grams of carbs — or munch on a cup of sliced plums for a bit more substance.
11. Blueberries
Blueberries are one of the higher carb berries on this list, but they also provide a ton of great nutrients, like vitamin K, potassium, and fiber. Plus, you can fit a lot of blueberries into one cup, so if the 21 grams of carbs makes you nervous, know that even just half a cup of blueberries is a solid serving.
12. Cherries
No, we’re not talking about those candy-like maraschino cherries here. Dark cherries provide plenty of natural sweetness on their own, and although they appear pretty high on this list of low-carb fruits, they’re still a healthy option for a sweet treat.
13. Bananas
Topping off this list is bananas. They’re not exactly a low-carb fruit, clocking in at just under 27 grams of carbs per banana, but they do have tons of great health benefits! One medium banana has 422mg of potassium, has just 105 calories, and three grams of fiber. Plus, its natural peel packaging makes it a great fruit to take on-the-go.
