Can I eat cheese on a keto diet - and if so, which types? | You Ask, We Answer (2024)

FAQs

Can I eat cheese on a keto diet - and if so, which types? | You Ask, We Answer? ›

All types of cheese are allowed on the keto diet, as cheese is relatively low in carbohydrate, which complies with the key principle of the keto diet. The Ketogenic diet or “keto” diet is a low carbohydrate and high fat eating plan.

The best keto cheeses include cheddar, Gouda, goat cheese, and blue cheese, while the worst are cottage cheese and low fat and processed varieties. If you're following the keto diet or know someone who is, be sure to keep these cheeses in mind to promote ketosis and meet dietary goals.

Unlike most cheeses, Mozzarella is enjoyed fresh, rather than being aged! With a total carb count of 1 gram per ounce, it is yet another keto-friendly cheese to keep on-hand. Mozzarella also contains probiotics, which have shown to improve digestive health and emotional health!

Moderation is key. So, if you're having cheese as part of a weight loss strategy like keto, make sure you know your daily calorie limit along with your protein and fat macronutrient needs. As mentioned earlier, 1-3 ounces should fit well into a keto diet plan.

Is eating a melted block of cheese bad for a Keto diet? Full fat cheese can help you reach your macro goals. But be careful--lactose is considered a sugar. If you eat too much cheese it could send your body out of ketosis.

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

Regular, full fat sour cream is made from cream and contains far more fat than carbs. Therefore, it's considered keto-friendly. However, low fat or nonfat sour cream is not. Full fat sour cream can provide some variety in a keto diet when used as a dip base or incorporated into recipes to boost the fat content.

Folks who love cheese and pizza together will be relieved to know that there are many cheese types that go well with a keto diet. Here are some of the cheeses you can add to your pizza without feeling guilty: Mozzarella cheese (shredded or fresh) Pepper jack cheese.

Can you eat tomatoes on the keto diet? "Tomatoes are keto," says Abby Langer, R.D., author of Good Food, Bad Diet. "They're low in carbs, so they fit perfectly into keto." One whole medium tomato contains roughly 5 grams of carbohydrates, of which 1.5 grams are fiber and 3 grams are sugar.

If you use a sugary topping, like caramel or chocolate, then that's not keto-friendly. But according to Rissetto, if you use savory things like butter, Parmesan cheese, seasonings or a tiny bit of hot sauce, then that would keep the snack within the limits of the diet.

What are big mistakes on keto? ›

Not watching your carb intake - Sugar and refined carbs are in many foods. You should be aiming to eliminate these from your keto diet. “Try to keep your net carb content under 20 grams/day or total carbs under 30 grams,” Dr Riggs says. Keep close track of your sugar and carb intake by reading nutrition labels.

Keto fruits by definition are low in carbohydrates. You still need to exercise portion control with most keto-friendly fruits to be within the limits of a keto diet. Keto-friendly fruits include avocados, watermelon, strawberries, lemons, tomatoes, raspberries, peaches, cantaloupe, star fruit, and blackberries.

While you may not think of bacon as diet food, most types of bacon fit perfectly into a keto diet plan since they're low in carbs yet high in protein and fat. That means bacon is perfect for snacking on in the afternoon or mixing into your chicken dinner dish for some extra flavoring.

Not following accepted ketogenic diet guidelines can disrupt ketosis because carbs are the body's preferred energy source. If your carb intake is too high, carbs may be used for fuel instead of ketone bodies, which is the main source of fuel during ketosis.

Nutritionists and keto practitioners advise against eating sweet potatoes on a keto diet due to their high carbohydrate content. But you may be able to consume it in very small servings. If you limit your carb intake to 50 grams per day, you can only consume a little over one medium-sized sweet potato.

Keto Substitute for Cheese: Cauliflower “Cheese”

Cauliflower is one of my favorite foods – you can use it to create so much! Plus, it's healthy and Keto-friendly. So check out this recipe for a nut-free, sliceable dairy-free cheese.

For example, when making cheese, milk is treated with bacteria that causes the lactose (sugar) to be fermented into lactic acid, thereby removing most of the carbs. Additionally, the liquid whey that results during processing — which contains protein, water, and lactose — is drained off, leaving mainly casein.

Luckily, pickles are keto friendly, especially those that are of the dill pickle variety, as sugar is low. “Simply put, sweet pickles are made with sugar which will automatically push the carb count up,” says Hultin. “Dill or salt pickles don't have the added sugar and carbs, naturally,” she says.