Answer: Yes, eggplant is keto-friendly. Given its low carbohydrate and fat content, it can be a suitable part of a ketogenic diet.
The nutritional makeup of eggplant aligns well with the principles of a ketogenic diet:
- Low in carbohydrates: With just 8.73g of total carbohydrates per 100g, eggplant fits comfortably within the daily carbohydrate limit of a standard keto diet, which typically restricts carb intake to under 50g per day.
- High in fiber: Dietary fiber is an essential component of a healthy diet and eggplant provides 2.5g per 100g. This not only aids digestion but also, because fiber is not digested and absorbed in the same way as other carbs, it doesn’t count towards your net carb count.
- Negligible fat content: Keto diets are high in fat, but that doesn’t mean every food you eat needs to be. Eggplant’s minimal fat content (0.23g per 100g) makes it a good choice to balance out higher-fat keto meals.
- Zero cholesterol: Cholesterol levels can be a concern for some individuals following a keto diet. The fact that eggplant contains no cholesterol makes it a heart-healthy choice.
- Contains essential nutrients: Despite being low in calories and carbs, eggplant is a good source of several essential nutrients like potassium.
In conclusion, eggplant is a nutrient-dense, low-carb food that can be enjoyed on a keto diet when used as part of balanced meals.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size100g
- Amount Per ServingCalories35
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat
0.23g
1%
- Saturated Fat 0.04g 1%
- Cholesterol 0mg 0%
- Sodium 1mg 1%
- Potassium 123mg 4%
- Total Carbohydrate
8.73g
3%
- Dietary Fiber 2.5g 10%
- Sugars 3.2g
- Protein 0.83g 2%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.