Are Tomatoes Keto?

Are Tomatoes Keto? This informative guide will help you to enjoy your favorite fruits while sticking to a keto diet!

Yes, tomatoes are keto friendly in moderation. Tomatoes are commonly confused as a vegetable, but they are actually a fruit. Many fruits cannot be consumed on a keto diet, but luckily tomatoes are naturally low enough in carbs that they can be enjoyed. As with any fruit on a keto diet, you do not want to eat tomatoes without paying attention to how many you’ve had. I recommend either watching your portion sizes closely or measuring your tomatoes out. That way, you never have to guess about whether or not you have gone over your carb count for the day.

While maintaining a keto diet, you want to keep your net carb count below 50 net carbs a day. Net carbs are calculated by deducting the fiber from the total carb count. So if a food item contains 12 grams of total carbs and 7 grams of fiber, the net carb count will be 5. Keeping this calculation handy will really help to simplify watching your carbs. It can seem difficult to maintain a ketogenic diet, but as long as you keep in mind which foods are keto friendly and which aren’t and keep track of your net carbs, you’ll find that it is easier than you expect.

Carbs in Tomatoes

There are several different types of tomatoes, so I’m going to break down the carbs in different types.

In one large beefsteak tomato, there are 5 grams of carbs and 1 gram of fiber, meaning there are 4 net carbs.
For one cup of cherry tomatoes, there’s only 4 grams of net carbs.
In one medium roma tomato, there’s 4.8 grams of carbs and 1.5 grams of fiber, bringing the net carb count to 3.3.

Benefits of Tomatoes

Tomatoes are an excellent source of lycopene, which is an antioxidant. This is known to reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer. They are also high in potassium, which helps to control your blood pressure and lower your chances of heart disease. You’ll also get a boost in Vitamin C and folate when you enjoy tomatoes.

Keto Tomato Products

Tomato Paste is an excellent option because it is low in carbs and sugar, high in fiber and adds tons of flavor to any recipe. Some keto recipes that use tomato paste are:
Tomato Sauce is a delicious way to add depth to sauces, soups or casseroles.
Low Carb Marinara is a great way to still enjoy the taste of marinara but without the added sugar.
Canned Tomatoes come in many varieties and are useful in tons of different recipes. Canned tomatoes offer just as many vitamins and nutrients as fresh tomatoes.

Keto Friendly Produce

Cabbage is an excellent keto vegetable- 1 cup has only 3.2 grams of net carbs. It’s high in nutrients, fiber and helps to lower inflammation. Try Roasted Cabbage, Keto Sausage and Cabbage Skillet and Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon.
Asparagus is high in fiber, folate and vitamins. In a serving, there’s only 1.3 grams of net carbs. Cheesy Bacon Wrapped Asparagus, Air Fryer Asparagus and Cheesy Roasted Asparagus are tasty choices.
Zucchini is a good source of antioxidants, aids your vision and improves your heart health. Air Fryer Zucchini with Parmesan, Zucchini Fritters and Sauteed Zucchini are popular zucchini dishes.
Strawberries raise your healthy cholesterol, are high in Vitamin C and lower your blood pressure. Keto Strawberry Cream Cheese Pancakes, Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries or Keto Fruit Pizza are delicious ways to add strawberries to your diet.