Keto Diet Foods, Including What to Include vs. Avoid

The ketogenic (or “keto”) diet is a very high-fat, very low-carb diet that is best known for its weight loss benefits. The goal of the keto diet is to enter and then stay in a metabolic state called ketosis, in which you burn fat for energy, rather than carbohydrates (glucose).

In the typical diet, our bodies (brains and muscles) are fueled by glucose (a type of sugar) that we get from eating carbohydrate foods. But if those carbs stop coming in and glucose levels drop, we can use our fat for fuel.

In fact, once all our our reserved glucose/glycogen runs out after several days on a low-carb, keto diet, our bodies create compounds called ketone bodies (or ketones) from our own stored body fat, as well as from fats in our diet. In addition, researchers have discovered that ketones contain main benefits, such as fat loss, suppressing our appetites, boosting mental clarity and lowering the risk for a number of chronic diseases.

But before starting a ketogenic diet, it’s critical to get to know a properly constructed keto diet food list and also understand how much of each type of food group you consume.

It starts with limiting carbohydrate intake to just 20–30 net grams per day. “Net carbs” describes the amount of carbs remaining once dietary fiber is taken into account. Because fiber is indigestible once consumed, simply don’t count grams of fiber toward their daily carb allotment. So that means subtracting grams of fiber from total carb games, to give you the total net carbs.

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On a standard keto diet, fats provide about 70 percent to 80 percent of total daily calories, protein about 15 percent to 20 percent, and carbohydrates just around 5 percent.

What Are Keto Diet Foods?

Here are examples of high-fat, low-carb foods that are included on the ketogenic food list:

• Your keto diet meal plan should contain high amounts of healthy fats (up to 80 percent of your total calories!), such as olive oil, coconut oil, grass-fed butter, palm oil, and some nuts and seeds. Fats are a critical part of every recipe because fat is what provides energy and prevents hunger, weakness and fatigue.
• Keto meals also need all sorts of non-starchy vegetables. What vegetables can you eat on a ketogenic diet without worrying about increasing your carb intake too much? Some of the most popular keto vegetables include broccoli and other cruciferous veggies, all types of leafy greens, asparagus, cucumber, and zucchini.
• In more moderate amounts, foods that are high in protein but low- or no-carb, including grass-fed meat, pasture-raised poultry, cage-free eggs, bone broth, wild-caught fish, organ meats and some full-fat (ideally raw) dairy products.
• What about fruits? As you will, you’ll need to cut down on your typical fruits, as keto fruits are far and few between.

On the other hand, the types of foods you’ll avoid eating on the keto, low-carb food plan are likely the same ones you are, or previously were, accustomed to getting lots of your daily calories from before starting this way of eating. This includes items like fruit, processed foods or drinks high in sugar, those made with any grains or white/wheat flour, conventional dairy products, desserts, and many other high-carb foods (especially those that are sources of “empty calories”).

If you’re new or just still learning the ropes for the keto diet food list, your biggest questions probably revolve around figuring out just what high-fat low-carb foods you can eat on such a ketogenic low-carb diet.

Overall, remember that the bulk of calories on the keto diet are from foods that are high in natural fats, along with a moderate amount of foods with protein. Those that are severely restricted are all foods that provide lots of carbs, even kinds that are normally thought of as “healthy,” like whole grains, for example.

The biggest shifts in your daily habits will be how you food shop and how you cook. If even if you’re accustomed to a relatively low-carb diet, keto recipes will still be even lower carb.

How much can you eat on the keto diet? You will require lots of healthy fats in order to get into ketosis, create ketone bodies, and have enough energy without eating carbs. You don’t need to count calories, but rather should focus on filling up on the right types of foods.

You will be considerably more energetic and healthier when cooking your own keto-friendly food, rather than buying supposedly keto foods off the shelf. Therefore, make sure you understand the keto diet rules and start stocking up with the keto grocery list.

Best Keto Foods

Below you’ll find a full keto diet menu for beginners, based on food type.

1. Healthy Fats

Most healthy fats contain zero net carbs, especially the kinds listed below, which also have other health advantages. Fats should be included in high amounts with every meal throughout the day.

Healthy keto fats include saturated fats, monounsaturated fats and certain types of polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), especially omega-3 fatty acids that confer multiple health benefits. It’s best to include all types in your daily regimen, with an emphasis on saturated fats, especially compared to PUFAs.

Best keto fats:

• MCT oil, cold-pressed coconut, palm fruit, olive oil, flaxseed, macadamia and avocado oil — 0 net carbs per tablespoon
• Butter and ghee — 0 net carbs per tablespoon
• Lard, chicken fat or duck fat — 0 net carbs per tablespoon
• Organic cocoa butter — 0 net carbs per tablespoon

2. Proteins

Most protein foods and animal proteins (meat, fish, etc.) have very little, if any, carbs. You can consume them in moderate amounts as needed to control hunger.

It might seem counterintuitive if you’re trying to lose weight, but you want to choose fattier cuts of meat rather than leaner types. For example, chicken thighs and legs are preferable to chicken breasts because they contain much more fat. We’ve got keto diet chicken recipes to help.

• Grass-fed beef and other types of fatty cuts of meat (try to avoid antibiotics in beef) , including lamb, goat, veal, venison and other game. Grass-fed, fatty meat is preferable because it’s higher in quality omega-3 fats — 0 grams net carbs per 5 ounces
• Organ meats including liver — around 3 grams net carbs per 5 ounces
• Poultry, including turkey, chicken, quail, pheasant, hen, goose, duck — 0 grams net carbs per 5 ounces
• Cage-free eggs and egg yolks — 1 gram net carb each
• Fish (especially fatty fish), including anchovies, bass, flounder, mackerel, salmon, sardines, tuna, trout, etc. — 0 grams net carbs per 5 ounces

3. Non-Starchy Vegetables

• All leafy greens, including dandelion or beet greens, collards, mustard, turnip, arugula, chicory, endive, escarole, fennel, radicchio, romaine, sorrel, spinach, kale, chard, bok choy, etc. — range from 0.5–5 net carbs per 1 cup
• Cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower — 3–6 grams net carbs per 1 cup
• Celery, cucumber, zucchini, chives and leeks — 2–4 grams net carbs per 1 cup
• Certain fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, dairy or coconut kefir (also beneficial for gut health) — 1–2 grams net carbs per half-cup
• Fresh herbs — close to 0 grams net carbs per 1–2 tablespoons
• Veggies that are slightly higher in carbs (but still low all things considered) including asparagus, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, bell peppers, sugar snap peas, water chestnuts, radishes, jicama, green beans, wax beans, tomatoes — 3–7 grams net carbs per 1 cup raw

4. Low-Sugar Fruit

What fruit can you eat on keto? Your No. 1 fruit choice should be avocado (yes, it’s a fruit). In small quantities, berries can also be consumed.

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• Avocado — 3.7 grams net carbs per half
• Blackberries — 3.5 grams net carbs per half-cup
• Strawberries — 4.5 grams net carbs per half-cup
• Blueberries — 9 grams of net carbs per half-cup

5. Snacks

• Bone broth (homemade or protein powder) — 0 grams net carbs per serving
• Beef or turkey jerky — 1.6 grams net carbs per 1 ounce
• Hard-boiled eggs — 1 gram net carb per egg
• Extra veggies (raw or cooked) with homemade dressing — 0–5 grams net carbs
• Half avocado with sliced lox (salmon) — 3–4 grams net carbs
• Shirataki noodles (97 percent water!) — 0–1 grams net carbs
• 85 percent cacao dark chocolate — 5 grams net carbs per half serving
• Fat bombs

5. Condiments

• Spices and herbs — 0 grams net carbs
• Hot sauce (no sweetener) — 0 grams net carbs
• Apple cider vinegar — 0–1 grams net carbs
• Unsweetened mustards — 0–1 grams net carbs
• Poppy seeds — 0 grams net carbs

6. Drinks

• Water — 0 grams net carbs
• Unsweetened coffee (black) (see our keto coffee recipe) and tea; drink in moderation since high amounts can impact blood sugar— 0 grams net carbs
• Bone broth — 0 grams net carbs
• Keto smoothie — 5.1 grams net carbs

Keto Foods to Limit

These are the keto foods to eat only occasionally in order to stay in ketosis:

1. Full-Fat Dairy

Dairy products should be limited as well, to only “now and then” due to containing natural sugars. Higher fat, hard cheeses have the least carbs, while low-fat milk and soft cheeses have much more.

• Full-fat cow’s and goat milk (ideally organic and raw) — 11–12 net carb grams per one cup serving
• Full-fat cheeses, including cream cheese, cheddar, parm, mozzarella, etc. — 0.5–1.5 net carb grams per one ounce or about 1/4 cup
• Full-fat Greek yogurt, regular yogurt and cottage cheese — 5 net carb grams per 1/2 cup

2. Medium-Starchy Vegetables

• Sweet peas, artichokes, okra, carrots, beets and parsnips — about 7–14 net carb grams per 1/2 cup cooked
• Yams and potatoes (white, red, sweet, etc.) — sweet potatoes have the least carbs, about 10 net carb grams per 1/2 potato; yams and white potatoes can have much more, about 13–25 net carb grams per 1/2 potato/yam cooked

3. Legumes and Beans

• Chickpeas, kidney, lima, black, brown, lentils, hummus, etc. — about 12–13 net carb grams per 1/2 cup serving cooked
• Soy products, including tofu, edamame, tempeh — these foods can vary in carbohydrates substantially, so read labels carefully; soybeans are fewer in carbs than most other beans, with only about 1–3 net carb grams per 1/2 cup serving cooked

4. Nuts and Seeds

• Almonds, walnuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, pistachios, chestnuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, macadamia nuts, Brazil nuts, etc. — 1.5–4 grams net carbs per 1 ounce; cashews are the highest in carbs, around 7 net grams per ounce
• Nut butters and seed butters — 4 net carbs per 2 tablespoons
• Chia seeds and flaxseeds — around 1–2 grams net carbs per 2 tablespoons

5. Fruits

• Berries, including blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries — 3–9 grams net carbs per 1/2 cup
• Asian pears — 8–9 net carbs per pear

6. Snacks

• Protein smoothie (stirred into almond milk or water)
• 7–10 olives
• 1 tablespoon nut butter or handful of nuts
• Veggies like cucumber, zucchini or bell peppers with a bit of hummus, Greek yogurt dip, or melted cheese

7. Condiments

Most condiments below range from 0.5–2 net carb grams per 1–2 tablespoon serving. Check ingredient labels to make sure added sugar is not included, which will increase net carbs. (Stevia, monk fruit and erythritol will become your go-to sweeteners because neither raise your blood sugar — combine for a more natural sweet taste and, remember, a little goes a long way!)

• No sugar added ketchup or salsa
• Sour cream
• Mustard, hot sauces, Worcestershire sauce
• Lemon/ lime juice
• Soy sauce
• Salad dressing (ideal to make your own with vinegar, oil and spices)
• Pickles
• Stevia
• Monk fruit
• Erythritol

8. Drinks

Consume the unsweetened keto drinks below only moderately, having just 1–2 small servings per day. These will typically contain between 1–7 net carb grams per serving.

• Fresh vegetable juices — homemade is best to limit sugar; aim for 8 ounces daily at most
• Unsweetened coconut or almond milk (ideal to make your own)
• Bouillon or light broth (this is helpful with electrolyte maintenance)
• Water with lemon and lime juice
• There are many low-carb alcohols — such as low-carb beer, certain types of red wine (Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are best) and pure forms of whiskey, gin, tequila, rum and vodka — but make alcohol very occasional, as it can throw you out of ketosis

Keto Foods to Avoid

What can you not eat on a keto diet? When on a ketogenic diet, you should avoid the following types of foods:

1. Any Type of Sugar

One teaspoon of sugar has about 4 net grams of carbs, while every tablespoon has about 12 net grams. Avoid all of these:

• White, brown, cane, raw and confectioner’s sugar.
• Syrups like maple, carob, corn, caramel and fruit
• Honey and agave
• Any food made with ingredients such as fructose, glucose, maltose, dextrose and lactose

2, Any and All Grains

One slice of bread, or small serving of grains, can have anywhere from 10–30 net grams of carbs. Cereals and cooked grains typically have 15–35 grams per 1/4 cup uncooked, depending on the kind. Avoid the following:

• Wheat, oats, all rice (white, brown, jasmine), quinoa, couscous, pilaf, etc.
• Corn and all products containing corn, including popcorn, tortillas, grits, polenta, corn flour and corn meal
• All types of products made with flour, including bread, bagels, rolls, muffins, pasta, etc.

3. Most Non-Berry Fruits

Most fruits simply contain too many carbs and can prevent you from reaching your goals if you eat them. So when on keto, stay away from especially the “sweet fruits” like mangoes, papayas, bananas, oranges and apples.

4. Nearly All Processed Foods

• Crackers, chips, pretzels, etc.
• All types of candy
• All desserts like cookies, cakes, pies, ice cream
• Pancakes, waffles and other baked breakfast items
• Oatmeal and cereals
• Snack carbs, granola bars, most protein bars or meal replacements, etc.
• Canned soups, boxed foods, any prepackaged meal
• Foods containing artificial ingredients like artificial sweeteners (sucralose, aspartame, etc.), dyes and flavors

5. Sweetened and Caloric Beverages

• Soda
• Most alcohol (beer, wine, liquor, etc.)
• Sweetened teas or coffee drinks
• Milk and dairy replacements (cow’s milk, soy, almond, coconut, lactaid, cream, half and half, etc.)
• Fruit juices

Final Thoughts

• As you can see above, there’s a surprising number of approved keto foods, especially for such a high-fat diet. The keto diet menu centers around healthy fats, grass-fed meats, non-starchy vegetables, and fat-based fruit (avocado).
• The No. 1 group of foods to eat on the keto diet is healthy fats. Also be sure to have plenty of low-starch veggies along with a moderate protein source.
• For a keto diet breakfast, eggs are often the perfect main ingredient because of their status of a filling, healthy fat. For a quick keto breakfast, you may choose a keto smoothie using a keto protein powder. Use an approved keto fruit like frozen blueberries and some coconut milk, and then you have a delicious start to your day.
• What are some keto lunch ideas? I suggest you visit our page on keto diet recipes as well as keto diet snacks (including fat bombs!).
• Wild-caught salmon, as a fatty fish, is a perfect keto choice, and easy keto meals can be a fatty cut of healthy protein like salmon or lamb served with plenty of green veggies.
• What fast food can you eat on a keto diet? Check out this keto fast food article, for help when you’re left without many options when out and about.
• For more keto recipes and meal/snack ideas, go to the recipe section on this site and search diet type by ketogenic … and you’ll see hundreds of options.