If you love munching on fermented pickles with a pleasant acidic punch but are following a low-carb diet like the keto diet, you might wonder, “pickle keto-friendly,” and will a few dill pickles kick you out of ketosis?
Yes, pickles can be part of a ketogenic diet, as long as they’re not made with added sugar.
Most store-bought pickles are keto-friendly because they rely on vinegar and spices to add flavor rather than sugar or corn syrup.
The good news is that there are plenty of keto-friendly pickle brands around.
However, it’s important to double-check the nutrition facts for carb counts, especially for flavored and/or homemade varieties.
Not all pickles contain added sugar, significantly increasing your net carb count!
Ketogenic diet followers should read nutrition labels carefully before indulging in this succulent snack.
In addition, you can also make your own homemade fermented pickles to be sure of how much sugar you are consuming and that you can enjoy your own keto-friendly pickles without getting kicked out of ketosis.
In this blog post, we’ll look at why we consider pickles keto, the health benefits, and how to enjoy pickles while on a keto diet or any other low-carb diet.
What Is The Keto Diet?
The keto diet has gained momentum in recent years, but many people don’t yet understand what it involves.
Essentially, the diet is characterized by high consumption of healthy fats, moderate consumption of proteins, and deficient consumption of carbohydrates.
A typical ketogenic diet recommends 20 to 50 grams of net carbs daily.
This biological alteration forces the body to use stored fats as its primary energy source instead of glucose – an optimal combination for burning fat and losing weight.
Despite its potential to be an effective weight loss strategy, the diet requires discipline, dedication, and mindful eating habits to ensure long-term success and sustainability.
If appropriately done, the keto diet could have tremendous health benefits – helping people lose weight and improve their overall health.
Why Are Pickles Keto?
Most pickles are made as salt dissolves in the white vinegar that, causes fermented pickles. These don’t have any added sugar and will not significantly contribute to the carb amount you consume each bite.
Their low-calorie and low-carbohydrate content make them an ideal fit for those looking to cut back on calories while still enjoying their food.
Pickles have minimal net carbs – about 2 to 2.5 grams per 100-gram serving, a tiny portion of the allowed 20 to 50 grams of net carbs daily.
In addition, have a relatively high water content making them an enjoyable snack or side dish on any low-carb meal plan.
Moreover, since pickles are preserved with salty brine, they boast numerous health benefits.
Just be sure to avoid sweet pickles!
Many brands of sweetened pickles add sugar, raising the carb and calorie count and potentially kicking your body out of ketosis if you exceed your daily allowance.
Health Benefits Of Pickles
Pickles are incredibly versatile and more than just a snack; they can be a powerful addition to your daily health routine.
- Aid Digestion
One of the main health benefits of pickles provide their excellent acidity.
This acidity is good for digestion, as it helps break down fats and proteins in the stomach, helping everything to flow efficiently through the digestive system.
2. Boosts Gut Health
Pickles are a known probiotic, the healthy bacteria in your colon that keeps your gut microbiome healthy.
Pickles and probiotics may seem like a strange combination.
However, while pickles are traditionally associated with being a snack or condiment, it has recently gained popularity as a source of probiotics due to the fermentation process used to make them.
Studies show that the probiotic bacteria within fermented pickles have been proven to improve gastrointestinal health, promote healthy digestion and support better nutrient absorption.
These same bacteria have also been found to help reduce cholesterol levels and strengthen the immune system even further.
3. Rich Source Of Beneficial Nutrients
Adding pickles to your diet can give you essential vitamins such as A, B-9, and C. Vitamin A is vital for immune health and vision, while B-9 helps produce red blood cells and DNA synthesis.
Lastly, Vitamin C boosts the immune system and is a powerful antioxidant.
Combining these vitamins in pickles gives them various health benefits ranging from helping your body fight illnesses to improving digestive health.
They are also a source of antioxidants that can scavenge free radicals and help your body stave off severe illnesses like neurological disorders, cancer, and heart disease.
Free radicals are the unstable chemicals in your body from environmental factors such as smoke or pollution.
Antioxidants work to stabilize them and prevent oxidative stress.
4. Regulates Blood Sugar Levels
Research has found that eating pickles can help prevent sudden blood sugar spikes due to their naturally low glycemic load.
As pickles don’t raise the body’s insulin levels too rapidly, they provide our bodies with a steady stream of natural energy that is quickly and efficiently metabolized.
Coupled with its vital supply of nutrients and vitamins, these considerations make pickles an ideal snack for those wanting to prevent sudden glucose spikes.
5. Can Ease Muscle Cramps
Rich in electrolytes, such as potassium, pickle juice is thought to help restore the body’s balance and reduce cramping.
Some athletes eat sour pickles or drink pickle juice for its hydration benefits during and after exercise.
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, the vinegary liquid can also be used topically to soothe sore muscles.
Moreover, if you add salt, its salt content encourages water absorption into muscles and can reduce swelling.
Ways Of Eating Pickles
Pickles are an incredibly versatile food – so many different ways to enjoy them!
You can eat them straight out of the jar, but you can also enjoy the following:
- place them on sandwiches or burgers
- pair with savory accompaniments like cheese and crackers
- wrap up in pizza dough for an inventive appetizer
- use to top tacos and salads
- dice into a cold potato salad.
- Chop up sweet pickles and use them instead of raisins in a rich oatmeal cookie recipe.
Pickles make a great snack on their own, too; they’re packed with nutrients and don’t contain any added sugar.
Just experiment and find the best ways for yourself. However, remember that other foods, like bread and potatoes, add significantly to your net carbs, so you might want to limit your intake!
Types Of Pickles
There are many types of keto pickles that you can add to your diet. Remember to look only for low-carb pickles and watch your sodium intake, as pickles can be high in salt.
Fermented Pickles
Fermented keto pickles are a delicious and nutritious snack that can take your health to the next level.
Not only are they low in carbohydrates, but they also provide an array of beneficial probiotics and prebiotics to aid in digestion.
The fermentation process also boosts flavor without adding additional sugar or calories, allowing you to indulge without getting kicked out of ketosis.
Pickle Juice
Keto pickle juice can help replenish your sodium and potassium levels after strenuous workouts, rehydrate after a long day, or provide necessary sustenance during resting periods.
The tart flavor of the pickles keeps you from getting bored of drinking plain water, and the vinegar in traditional pickling processes helps energize you and keep your appetite at bay during times of stress.
Fried Keto Pickles
Yum! The saltiness of a fried pickle perfectly complements its crunchy exterior and soft, juicy inside.
With no pre-cooking, these impossibly easy snackable bites are a tasty way to treat friends or family members at gatherings.
Best of all, they’re so easy to make at home – slice up some pickles and fry them in medium-heat oil for a few minutes until golden brown.
Final Thoughts On Keto Pickles
Pickles are a delicious addition to your diet that can be anything from a snack to a side dish on a ketogenic diet.
If you are feeling adventurous, you can make your own keto pickles to ensure it fits into a keto-style diet for the best low-carb life!
I’m Chris Watson & the Founder of EatForLonger.com. I’m a food and wellbeing enthusiast researching and sharing foodstuffs and simple food-based concepts, such as fasting and clean eating.
I hope it inspires you to make tiny changes to what you eat and when you eat while optimizing your healthspan and all-around well-being.
Read more About Me here.