If you are on keto, you may be contemplating whether you should consume fruits or not, especially when they are popular for having natural sugars. One of the all-time favorite fruits that everybody loves has to be watermelon. Even though no keto diet plan ever said to stop the consumption of fruits altogether, there has still been a wave of confusion in many minds. Thus, read along with us to eliminate your confusion today whether your favorite fruit, the watermelon, is keto-friendly or not! Let’s get started.
Is Watermelon Keto Friendly?
Absolutely Yes! Watermelon can be considered as a low-carb fruit that is entirely healthy when consumed correctly in your diet. Apart from watermelon, you can also consume other fruits like melons, berries, avocados, etc.
How to have watermelon in your keto diet?
Even though we stated that watermelon is keto-friendly, yet there’s a catch. Let’s simplify it further.
The ketogenic diet is all about increasing the fat and protein intake while reducing your carb intake. Sure, watermelon is a healthy source of carbs and sugar, but it is keto-friendly only when taken in the correct quantity.
If you are currently on a keto diet, your diet should comprise only 5-10% carbs, 70% fats, and 25% proteins. Assuming your daily calorie intake is about 2,000 calories, you need to limit your watermelon intake accordingly to fit within the 5-10% carbs ratio.
How many carbs does a 1 cup of watermelon have?
One cup of watermelon has about 11.5 grams of carbs. Thus, if you are on a keto diet and your daily calorie intake is 2,000 calories, you can freely consume about 1-2 cups of watermelon while still adhering to the carb limit and making space for other sources of carbs in your diet too. Or, you can also consume 3-4 cups of watermelon, but then you need to cut back on the other sources of carbs for the rest of the day, which is never recommended. Maintaining a variety in diet with different types of food items eventually makes your diet journey more sustainable and effective.
Low carb watermelon recipe ideas
Your keto diet doesn’t restrict you to eating only watermelon cubes in your diet. You can also consume the goodness of watermelon in different other dishes. Here are some fantastic keto-friendly watermelon recipe ideas that can help you enjoy the fruit while being on a diet without any hassle!
- Watermelon smoothie
- Watermelon salad
- Watermelon cocktail
- Watermelon popsicles
And many more…
Note: While you prepare these watermelon dishes, ensure to keep your carb intake within 11.5 grams as per the keto diet guidelines. You may alter the ingredients accordingly to fit the number.
Conclusion
Keto diet never restricts from having a certain kind of food. It is all about having everything at a specific portion. There is no way you can keep repeating the same food and not enjoy the tasty ones just because you are on a keto diet. A keto diet is a lifestyle change that should be healthy and sustainable for the long run. Thus, now that you know that watermelons are keto-friendly, what are you waiting for? Grab your bowl right now and indulge in the feast!