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Nuts & Seeds on a Ketogenic Diet
Eat or Avoid?

4.9 stars, average of 921 ratings
By Franziska Spritzler, RD, CDE, updated February 6 201935
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Expert ArticleEvidence Based

Nuts & Seeds on a Ketogenic Diet: Eat or Avoid?ShareFollow us 261.1k

Quick Summary tl;dr

Nuts and seeds can definitely be part of a well-balanced keto or low-carb diet.

Overall, they are high in healthy fat, low to moderate in protein and rich in several nutrients. In addition, most are low in net carbs and high in fiber, including soluble fiber. Studies suggest that consuming soluble fiber helps lower blood sugar, aids in weight management, promotes gut health and provides other benefits.

Nuts and seeds are also portable, versatile, delicious, and satisfying.

Consume nuts and seeds in moderation if your goal is to lose weight. It's worth a second mention that although we don't absorb all of the calories in nuts, we still get a fair amount. In large quantities, nuts can certainly slow down weight loss and perhaps even lead to weight gain.

However, most types of nuts and seeds are great for keto diets when consumed in moderation. If you've been avoiding them because you feel they're too high in carbs, consider adding them back in. They may just improve your health and make your keto lifestyle even more enjoyable.

Table of Contents

Are Nuts and Seeds Keto-Friendly Foods?

As a registered dietitian who follows and recommends a well-balanced, very-low-carb diet, I've become concerned about the number of healthy foods being criticized for containing too many carbs.

Although there's no denying that certain plant foods don't belong in a keto diet, there are many others that can and should be enjoyed on a regular basis, such as nuts and seeds.

What Are Nuts and Seeds?

Nuts and seeds are similar foods that originate as different parts of a plant.

Nuts are technically classified as fruits, although they are neither soft nor sweet. Their hard outer shell needs to be cracked open to release the seed-containing fruit inside. With the exception of walnuts, nuts are high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs).

By contrast, seeds are actually embryonic plants. Although most seeds need to be removed from their outer shells or husks before being eaten, some can be consumed directly from the plant, such as sesame seeds. Unlike most nuts, seeds tend to be high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).

Both nuts and seeds are lower in carbs than many plants, such as fruits, grains, and some vegetables. Additionally, they are rich in fiber and several vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium, potassium and selenium.

How Do Nuts and Seeds Affect Blood Sugar and Ketosis?

Nuts and seeds provide low to moderate amounts of carbohydrates, depending on the type. Total carb counts per ounce (28 grams) range from a low of 3.5 grams for Brazil nuts to a high of 12.6 grams for chia seeds.

However, in many cases, more than half of these carbs are fiber, which does not increase blood sugar or jeopardize ketosis.

Unlike carbs, fiber isn't digested and absorbed in your small intestine because of the way its bonds are arranged. Humans lack the enzymes that break fiber's bonds and allow it to be absorbed. Instead, fiber passes through your small intestine and enters your colon. Once there, its fate depends on whether it is soluble or insoluble fiber.

Nuts & Seeds on a Ketogenic Diet: Eat or Avoid?

Insoluble vs Soluble Fibre

Insoluble fiber simply passes through your colon and helps to bulk up your stool. Therefore, it provides no calories at all. About 70-75% of the fiber in nuts and seed is insoluble.

Soluble fiber dissolves in water and forms a gel that slows down the movement of food through your digestive tract, which can help you feel full. Once soluble fiber arrives in the colon, it is used as a food source by your gut bacteria and fermented into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including butyrate, acetate and propionate ( 1).

These SCFAs provide about 1-2 calories per gram of soluble fiber, depending on the type of fiber ( 2). By contrast, one gram of digestible carb provides 4 calories.

Even though the fermentation of soluble fiber to SCFAs provides your body with a few calories, it doesn't raise blood glucose levels. In fact, research suggests that it may improve blood sugar regulation.

SCFAs are mainly used to keep your gut healthy, but they can also have beneficial effects in other organs and tissues. Butyrate has been shown to enhance fat burning, acetate helps control appetite, and propionate can be used for gluconeogenesis (literally “making new glucose”) in the liver and intestine ( 1,  2).

Does Soluble Fibre Raise Blood Sugar?

Propionate's role in gluconeogenesis may sound concerning. However, propionate only accounts for about 20% of all SCFAs ( 3). Also, keep in mind that only 25-30% of fiber is soluble and capable of being fermented to SCFAs. Therefore, any increase in blood sugar related to propionate would be minimal.

Moreover, recent research suggests that intestinal gluconeogenesis actually improves blood sugar disposal, leading to better blood sugar regulation ( 4,  5).

Although the exact mechanisms are complex, the evidence to date suggests that these SCFAs may help control blood sugar, increase insulin sensitivity and reduce metabolic risk factors. ( 1,  2,  6).

Finally, a large body of research confirms that fiber can help decrease food intake and reduce the amount of calories you absorb from mixed meals (7,  8).

Therefore, consuming modest amounts of fiber-rich nuts and seeds may help control blood sugar, increase insulin sensitivity and reduce metabolic risk factors

For more information about total carbs and net carbs, check out this post: Total Carbs or Net Carbs: What Really Counts?

Nuts & Seeds on a Ketogenic Diet: Eat or Avoid?

Are Nuts and Seeds Suitable for Weight Loss?

Nuts and seeds are considered a high-calorie food. Indeed, most contain about 160-210 calories per ounce (28 grams).

Interestingly, studies on almonds, walnuts and pistachios have shown that not all of their calories are absorbed because a portion of fat stays trapped within the nut's fibrous wall during digestion ( 9,  10,  11).

For instance, although the nutrition facts label on a package of walnuts indicates that a 1-oz (28-gram) serving has 185 calories, researchers have shown that only about 146 of these calories are absorbed by your body ( 11).

Although similar studies haven't been conducted on other nuts, it's possible that a portion of their calories may not be absorbed either.

On the other hand, nuts and seeds can be extremely easy to overeat, especially when consumed straight from the container or bag. It's best to portion them out and limit yourself to one or two servings per day if you're trying to lose weight.

Below are the carb profiles of different nuts and seeds, along with their key nutrients and potential health benefits. All nutrition information is based on a 1-ounce (28-gram) serving.

Nutrition Profiles and Benefits of Nuts and Seeds

Almonds

Nuts & Seeds on a Ketogenic Diet: Eat or Avoid?

  • Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 6.1 g, Fiber: 3.5 g, Net Carbs: 2.6 g
  • Key Nutrients: Almonds provide 37% of the RDI (Recommended Dietary Allowance) for vitamin E.
  • Potential Health Benefits: Improvement in heart health markers. In one study, people with elevated cholesterol who consumed 36-72 grams (1-2.5 ounces) of almonds every day experienced a decrease in oxidized LDL cholesterol, a major heart disease risk factor ( 12).
  • Interesting fact: Of all nuts and seeds, almonds are the highest in protein (6 grams of protein per serving).

Brazil Nuts

Nuts & Seeds on a Ketogenic Diet: Eat or Avoid?

  • Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 3.5 g, Fiber: 2.1 g, Net Carbs: 1.4 g
  • Key Nutrient: Brazil nuts are extremely high in selenium. In fact, one Brazil nut provides more than 130% of your daily requirement for selenium, a mineral involved in maintaining healthy thyroid function, among other things. However, in order to avoid potentially toxic levels of selenium, it's best to limit your intake to a few Brazil nuts per day.
  • Potential Health Benefits: Reduction in inflammation. Studies have shown that Brazil nuts decrease inflammatory markers in the blood and protect cells from unstable molecules called free radicals ( 13,  14).

Cashews

Nuts & Seeds on a Ketogenic Diet: Eat or Avoid?

  • Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 8.6 g, Fiber: 0.9 g, Net Carbs: 7.7 g
  • Key Nutrient: Among nuts, cashews are the highest in copper, providing 31% of the RDI per serving. On the other hand, they also have the most net carbs.
  • Potential Health Benefits: Lower cholesterol levels. A recent study found that LDL cholesterol was modestly reduced in people who consumed 28-64 grams (1-2 ounces) of cashews daily ( 15).
  • Interesting fact: Cashews have the highest amount of net carbs and should be used sparingly when following a low-carb diet.

Hazelnuts

Nuts & Seeds on a Ketogenic Diet: Eat or Avoid?

  • Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 4.7 g, Fiber: 2.7 g, Net Carbs: 2 g
  • Key Nutrient: One serving of hazelnuts contains nearly a quarter of your daily requirement for vitamin E.
  • Potential Health Benefits: Improvements in lipid profile. In one study, people with mildly elevated cholesterol consumed 30 grams (1 ounce) of hazelnuts for 4 weeks. By the end of the study, they had significant reductions in total cholesterol and cholesterol: HDL ratio. In addition, they experienced a significant decrease in apo-B, reflecting a reduction in their LDL particle number ( 16).

Macadamia Nuts

Nuts & Seeds on a Ketogenic Diet: Eat or Avoid?

  • Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 3.9 g, Fiber: 2.4 g, Net Carbs: 1.5 g
  • Key Nutrient: Macadamia nuts are higher in monounsaturated fat (MUFA) than any other nut, in addition to being the highest in fat overall. In fact, 78% of the fat in macadamia nuts consists of heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids.
  • Potential Health Benefits: Higher HDL and lower LDL. In a 4-week study of men with elevated cholesterol, consuming 40-90 grams (1.5-3 ounces) of macadamia nuts per day led to an 8% increase in HDL cholesterol and a 5% decrease in LDL cholesterol ( 17).

Pecans

Nuts & Seeds on a Ketogenic Diet: Eat or Avoid?

  • Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 3.9 g, Fiber: 2.7 grams, Net Carbs: 1.2 grams
  • Key Nutrients: Pecans are a good source of zinc, providing one third of the RDI for this mineral. Moreover, they are the nut lowest in net carbs.
  • Potential Health Benefits: Antioxidant protection. A study in 16 healthy men and women found that consuming 90 grams (3 ounces) of pecans led to a decrease in oxidized LDL and increased antioxidant levels in the blood for several hours ( 18).
  • Interesting fact: Of all nuts, pecans are lowest in net carbs.

Pistachios

Nuts & Seeds on a Ketogenic Diet: Eat or Avoid?

  • Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 7.9 g, Fiber: 2.9 g, Net Carbs: 5 g
  • Key Nutrient: One serving of pistachios provides 24% of your daily requirement for vitamin B6.
  • Potential Health Benefits: Improvement in blood sugar and lipid values. Studies in people with type 2 diabetes have found that pistachio intake ranging from 25-90 grams (1-3 ounces) per day helped reduce blood sugar, cholesterol and triglyceride levels ( 19,  20).

Walnuts

Nuts & Seeds on a Ketogenic Diet: Eat or Avoid?

  • Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 3.9 g, Fiber: 1.9 g, Net Carbs: 2 g
  • Key Nutrient: Walnuts contain more anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids than any other nut.
  • Potential Health Benefits: Improved artery function and lower LDL particles. Studies suggest that walnuts may protect the endothelial cells that line your arteries and reduce LDL cholesterol and LDL particles ( 21,  22,  23).
  • Interesting fact: Of all nuts, walnuts contain the highest levels of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats.

As in the nuts section above, all nutrition information for seeds is based on a 1-ounce (28-gram) serving.

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Chia Seeds

Nuts & Seeds on a Ketogenic Diet: Eat or Avoid?

  • Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 11.3 g, Fiber: 9.9 g, Net Carbs: 1.4 g
  • Key Nutrients: Chia seeds are very high in fiber and rich in omega-3 PUFAs, which are considered anti-inflammatory. Chia seeds are also a good source of calcium. One serving provides 18% of the RDI for this mineral.
  • Potential Health Benefits: Lower blood sugar and improved satiety. In a 12-week study of 11 healthy people, consuming 7-24 grams (0.25-1 gram) of chia seeds daily resulted in lower post-meal blood sugar levels and greater satiety for up to 2 hours after eating. Moreover, the greatest effects were seen with the highest dosage of chia seeds ( 24).
  • Interesting fact: Of all nuts and seeds, chia seeds contain the highest levels of fibre.

Flaxseed

Nuts & Seeds on a Ketogenic Diet: Eat or Avoid?

  • Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 8.2 g, Fiber: 7.7 g, Net Carbs: 0.4 g
  • Key Nutrients: Flaxseed is the best source of lignans, a type of fiber that's been credited with many beneficial effects on health. It is also high in and omega-3 fatty acids and very low in net carbs. Click here to read more about health benefits of flax seeds and potential concerns.
  • Potential Health Benefits: Improvements in blood sugar and insulin regulation. Studies in older overweight and pre-diabetic women have found that taking 10-13 grams of flaxseed daily helped lower blood sugar, improve insulin resistance and boost weight loss ( 25,  26).
  • Interesting facts: Of all nuts and seeds, flaxseed is the lowest in net carbs. Also, contrary to common beliefs that flaxseed can cause cancer, it has been shown to have beneficial and cancer-protective properties.

Hemp Seeds

Nuts & Seeds on a Ketogenic Diet: Eat or Avoid?

  • Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 2.5 g, Fiber: 1.1 g, Net Carbs: 1.3 g
  • Key Nutrient: Hemp seeds are rich in gamma-linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid, and magnesium. One serving provides 75% of your daily magnesium needs.
  • Potential Health Benefits: Reduction of heart disease risk factors. Although high-quality research on hemp seed in humans is lacking, animal studies suggest it can lower blood pressure and protect heart health ( 27,  28).

Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas)

Nuts & Seeds on a Ketogenic Diet: Eat or Avoid?

  • Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 3 g, Fiber: 1.7 g, Net Carbs: 1.3 g
  • Key Nutrients: One serving of pumpkin seeds provides 23% of the RDI for iron and 37% of the RDI for magnesium.
  • Potential Health Benefits: Reduction in blood sugar levels and inflammation. A 12-week study in people with advanced kidney disease reported significant reductions in triglycerides, blood sugar, insulin and inflammatory markers in those who took 30 grams (1 ounce) of a mixture of pumpkin and other seeds every day ( 29).

Sesame Seeds

Nuts & Seeds on a Ketogenic Diet: Eat or Avoid?

  • Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 6.6 g, Fiber: 3.3 g, Net Carbs: 3.3 g
  • Key Nutrients: Sesame seeds provide 27% of your daily calcium needs and 25% of your daily magnesium needs per serving.
  • Potential Health Benefits: Lower LDL cholesterol and antioxidant protection. In one study, people with elevated cholesterol who ate 40 grams (1.5 ounces) of sesame seeds daily for 60 days experienced significant decreases in LDL cholesterol and free radical cell damage, along with an increase in antioxidant activity ( 30).

Sunflower Seeds

Nuts & Seeds on a Ketogenic Diet: Eat or Avoid?

  • Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 5.7 g, Fiber: 2.4 g, Net Carbs: 3.2 g
  • Key Nutrient: Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of vitamin E. In fact, one serving contains nearly half of the RDI for this vitamin.
  • Potential Health Benefits: Improvement in lipid profile. In a study of postmenopausal women with diabetes, a daily serving of 30 grams (1 ounce) of sunflower seeds for 3 weeks led to significant decreases in cholesterol and triglyceride levels ( 31).

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Which Nuts and Seeds Are Best on a Ketogenic Diet?

Although all nuts and seeds are healthy, some are more appropriate for a keto or very-low-carb lifestyle than others. Below are the best ones to include in your diet on a regular basis.

Lowest in Net Carbs

These nuts and seeds provide less than 3 grams of net carbs per 28-gram (1-ounce) serving, except where noted:

  • Flaxseed: 0.4 grams per 14-gram (0.5-ounce) serving
  • Pecans: 1.2 grams
  • Hemp seeds: 1.3 grams
  • Brazil nuts: 1.4 grams
  • Macadamia nuts: 1.5 grams
  • Chia seeds: 1.7 grams
  • Walnuts: 2 grams
  • Hazelnuts: 2 grams
  • Almonds: 2.6 grams

Highest in Fiber

These nuts and seeds provide at least 2.7 grams of fiber per 28-gram (1-ounce) serving, except where noted:

  • Chia seeds: 10.6 grams (2.7 grams soluble)
  • Flaxseed: 3.6 grams (1.9 grams soluble) per 14-gram (0.5-ounce) serving
  • Almonds: 3.5 grams (0.35 grams soluble)
  • Sesame seeds: 3.3 grams (0.8 grams soluble)
  • Pistachios: 2.9 grams (0.7 grams soluble)
  • Hazelnuts: 2.7 grams (1.1 grams soluble)
  • Pecans: 2.7 grams (0.5 grams soluble)

Best Omega-6:Omega-3 PUFA Ratio

Seeds contain far more polyunsaturated fats than most nuts do. These are the seeds with the best ratio of Omega-6:Omega-3 PUFAs (you can read more about healthy fats here):

  • Chia seeds: 1:3
  • Flaxseed: 1:4
  • Hemp seeds: 2.5:1

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Franziska Spritzler, RD, CDE
Registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator and creator of LowCarbDietitian.com

Franziska Spritzler

Franziska Spritzler, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator, is a strong proponent of carbohydrate restriction for people struggling with diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, and PCOS.

She follows a very-low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet for blood sugar control and has experienced many improvements in her health as a result of making this change.

More posts by Franziska Spritzler, RD, CDE
Franziska Spritzler, RD, CDE

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Comments (35)

Cuando pueda si quiere responderme le quedo agradecido.
Estoy en un cambio de estilo de alimentación con reducción bastante de carbohidratos y logré bajar de peso con comida variada ejercicio y bastante liquido en infusiones  también variadas incluido agua de manantial.
Suelo comer bastantes nueces, alomejor demasiado, ¿que cantidad se puede comer en gramos? lei que hay estudios hasta 85 gramos al dia y que cuanto mas se coman mejores beneficios en general para enfermedades relacionadas con el sistema de elasticidad de venas etc.
Tambien hay estudios que cada fruto seco es único en sus vitaminas y efectos . ¿Se puede variar y en que cantidades?
AGRADECIDO. Un saludo.

Hi Antonio, I only used Google Translate here so I hope I got this right. I don't think there is a "limit" as to how many nuts/seeds you can eat aper day but I think it's better to keep the serving size small. If you do eat nuts every day then I'd not go over about 30 g (~ 1 oz) only because nuts and seeds are high in calories and you should be eating a variety of foods to cover all your nutritional needs. You can of course occasionally have more than that but not every day.

GRACIAS por toda la informacion, le encontre al azahar buscando en internet. un saludo desde el noroeste de España. Ojala existan mas personas como usted para controlar los estudios sobre nutrición y salud y lleguen al resto de los humanos para tomar buenas notas. Un abrazo grande.

I like this article, it would be nice to have the info. contained in a printable form for us newbies to stick on the fridge. thank you.

Hi Neil, I totally agree, we have to make them print-friendly! In the meantime, you can save this page as a PDF and then print just the parts you are interested in 😊

I read alot and have to say this is my favotite article on the subject.

I bought some pumpkin seeds with shells and was looking at them thinking that I hadn't thought out whether these were a good idea to eat.  So I headed for the internet with a little apprehension.  Thanks for the well-written, scientifically supported article.  So much of what I read about keto/low carb diets is full of non-scientific gobbledygook.  On the other hand, I'm going to bookmark this one for future reference.  

They seem quite full of nutrition and I was looking at them and they are much better than sunflower seeds. When we did pumpkin seeds at home I always put them in the oven to dry off first and roast them when they cool. But, if you want to just go out and eat them right out of the shells, they are fine.

I have been on a Keto diet for a little over 2 weeks now. I am still getting tingly sensations and minor headaches, though I believe that will dissipate once I'm fully adjusted in another 2-4 weeks. I started running again and am pushing it pretty hard, so I'm sure that's contributing. It feels like when I used to starve myself for wrestling and I get a sense that my blood sugar is low. I have added hemp hearts (about 6 tablespoons per day) to help combat because I read more magnesium can help.
I am 6'3" 210lbs and have been eating about 4-6 tablespoons of chia per day. Do you think that's too much? I am adding flax seeds tomorrow and will replace 2 tablespoons of chia with 2 tablespoons of flax.

Chia seeds are very filling and I think that 6 tablespoons of chia per day may be too much. I would try to include a variety of other foods just to avoid deficiencies. I think you may be low in electrolytes, especially if you exercise. Make sure to include other sources too:
The Importance of Potassium and Top 7 Low-Carb Foods High in Potassium
The Importance of Magnesium and Top 7 Low-Carb Foods High in Magnesium
And don't forget about sodium. Other than adding it to meals, some of the good sources are sauerkraut and bone broth.

I follow a keto lifestyle and just added “noatmeal” to hopefully keep me regular. The recipe I’m using calls for 3tablespoons of hemp hearts, 2tsp of chia seeds, a little shredded coconut and almonds and a little almond milk. Can i have this daily? Or would that be too much? I’ve been seeing conflicting information on the web.

Absolutely! I make variations of these a few times a week:
Quick Keto Oatmeal
Anti-Inflammatory Keto Golden Porridge
Sweetener-Free Raspberry Chia Pudding
Low-Carb Cinnamon & Pecan Keto Porridge

Great article.  Concisely put together and chuck-ful of interesting facts.  I had concerns with my Chia consumption while trying to get into ketosis.  What a help... Thank you .

Great article, thanks for the information which I will put to good use.

Oops!!! I forgot to finish my peanut butter fat bomb recipe... 😳
...Place mold in freezer. When solid, remove and store in a large glass jar. (I cut mine into fourths)

Thank you for your hard work on this article. I am allergic to tree nuts and on a Keto diet. I probably eat way too much peanut butter which I heard is a no no-no Keto, but eat it anyway, so probably sabotaging my weightloss.  Yes, I know peanuts are a legume and not a nut. My latest snack is peanut butter (1 cup), 1/4 cup coconut oil, 3 "baby scoops" stevia(Kal brand) , pinch salt and 3 tablespoons of ground hemp seed (because they have a pretty neutral flavor in the recipe and I believe one of the most nutritious foods on earth.) Melt all together in small saucepan and scoop into peanut butter cup shaped silicone molds or parchment lined loaf pan.

Hi Reba, thank you for sharing your recipe with us! Not necessarily, peanuts are a matter of personal preference. If you can tolerate it, you can use it (I personally avoid it). I would still advice to soak and dehydrate the peanuts and then make peanut butter in a food processor rather than buying it ready-made. Franziska has been working on a post regarding health effects  of peanut butter so I will share some more tips soon 😊

Thank you, Franziska - that was a very comprehensive and helpful article. And now I have to go nut-shopping!  😊

Hello Franziska.
I am on a keto diet and in India, where I belong, rice is a staple food.
The craving for rice is terrible.
Barely anyone ends their meal with Dal-Rice.
I was wondering if Samo seeds (Echinochloa Frumentacea) can be a substitute for rice.
Thank you.

Hi Praful,
Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, Samo seeds are too high in carbs and low in fiber for a keto diet. I recommend riced cauliflower or shirataki rice (such as Miracle Noodles), if those are available in your area (they can also be purchased online). Best of luck to you! - Franziska

Dear Franziska, thank you for this very detailed article!
I'd like to ask you: The recomended daily intake of fibre means soluble and insoluble fibre together?
I'm asking because I'm on keto diet and finding how to get as much fiber as possible.If I need at least 25g of fiber/day(WHO), and for example not to exceed 50g of net carbs/day on Keto the math is easy. I can technically eat only food with max. ratio 1g fibre to 2g net carb - it means approx. half of nuts & seeds you listed. But If I multiply the fibre content by 0.3 to have just soluble fibre, I can't eat almost no nuts & seeds 😊
Thank you
Lubos

Hi Lubos,
Thanks for the nice feedback on my article and your question.
Yes, the daily fiber recommendation includes both soluble and insoluble fiber. Therefore, there's no math required other than subtracting all the fiber in nuts from their total carb content. Fortunately, several of the nuts and seeds actually have more fiber than digestible carbs 😊
Best of luck to you going forward!
- Franziska

Wow, Franziska, what a great article! You covered so many important points in a very clear and concise way. Thanks!

So glad I found keto diet...love the articles

Love the article! Great info. I've been wondering about how well they fit in keto. Gives me an excuse to try some of the keto chia seed pudding recipes. 😊

Hi Franziska
Are millet and quinoa also considered seeds?
In very small amounts wouldn't they be beneficial for the microbiome?
Thanks
Sandy

Hi Sandy,
Thanks for your question. Yes, millet and quinoa are seeds; however, they are much higher in carbs than the seeds discussed in the article. Depending on your carb tolerance and goals, you might be able to include them in your diet in small amounts. But it's my understanding that they wouldn't provide any additional benefit for gut health beyond what the lower-carb seeds and nuts do -- in fact, I'd argue that nuts and seeds would be more beneficial. Most of the carbs in millet and quinoa are digested and absorbed in the small intestine, which wouldn't have any effect on the microbiome. By contrast, most of the carbs in the seeds and nuts I recommend in the article are mainly fiber, including soluble fiber, which does promote gut health. I hope that helps! - Franziska

This is a great article!! I love pecans, walnuts, macadamia and Brazil nuts. Moderation is definitely the key. I don't think I could ever cut them out completely, and so glad this article backs up my thoughts about them. It's also nice to hear a good word about flax! For a few months now I've read nothing but bad about it and though I have some I've avoided using it. Now I think I will start adding it back in! Thanks for all this research!!

I think that there's been a lot of misinformation about nuts, seeds and their place in a healthy low carb diet. It was time to bust the myths!

I never heard anything bad about flax except that it shouldn't be cooked, don't know where I've been, lol. But a six time Nobel Prize nominee Dr. Joanna Budwig, a researcher in the 30's, I believe, strongly advocated combining cottage cheese with ground flax as a treatment for cancer. Seems our cells love this combination. Thought I'd share. 🙂

Thank you! Flax can also help relieve hot flashes and other symptoms during and after the menopausal transition: Is Flaxseed Healthy? Safety Concerns, Benefits & Recommendations

I know peanuts are actually legumes, but are they suitable for a ketogenic or LCHF diet?
Also, what about nut butters, specifically peanut and almond. Are these suitable, as well?
Thanks!

Hi Barbara, technically, they are keto-friendly but it depends on the approach you are following (see my comment below). When it comes to nut and seed butters (unsweetened), they are all suitable.

What about peanuts?

Hi Sean, peanuts are legumes. Firstly, although they are relatively low in carbs, peanuts contain lectins and phytates which makes them hard to digest. Also, legumes in general have been linked to leaky gut syndrome, PCOS, IBS and Hashimoto's. Having said that, many people eat peanuts when following a keto diet and experience none of these issues. You have to try what works best for you.