Foods To Avoid On Keto Diet: What Can’t You Eat On Keto

Sugar

Sugar should be avoided when you are on a keto diet. Sugar breaks down into glucose which is the energy source for your body.

When the body lacks glucose, it enters the ketosis state where the stored fats are converted into ketones to obtain energy. If your body has a lot of glucose already available, it will not break down the fats to produce energy.

Consuming sugar may restrict^[1] your body from entering into the ketosis state. This is the reason why it is advisable not to consume sugar while you are observing a ketogenic diet.

White Bread

Any white bread available in the store is not keto-friendly. White bread is high in carbohydrates. Studies^[2] show that just one slice or 27.3 grams of white bread contains 12 grams of carbohydrates.

The availability of carbohydrates would prevent you from entering into a ketogenic state. This is because carbohydrates, which break down into glucose and fructose, are the major source of fuel for the body.

The body would use up the energy obtained from carbohydrates and would not make ketones which is another kind of fuel from which the body acquires energy.

Other starchy food items like pasta, rice, and other refined carbohydrate products are not advisable to be taken on a ketogenic diet.

Juice

Fruit juices are highly nutritious and packed with vitamins and minerals but they are not keto-friendly. Juices contain natural sugars which are not advisable to consume on a ketone diet.

Juices take away all the fibers from the fruit. Fibers are necessary to slow down the release of glucose into the blood and they also help in digestion.

Fibers control blood sugar levels. Since juices are low in their fiber contents, they might increase blood sugar levels.

Studies^[3] suggest that to obtain maximum benefits and maintain ketosis, it is crucial to avoid foods that are low in carbohydrates and fiber contents as they are associated with blood sugar level spikes.

Honey

Honey naturally contains sugar and is high in carbohydrate contents. Researchers have found out that just one tablespoon or 21 grams of honey contains 17 grams of carbs.

Although honey with warm water is suggested for weight loss, however, the high amount of carbohydrates present in it prevents it from being included in keto-friendly food items.

According to this study^[4], honey contains a lot of antioxidants and other nutrients but it can cause a spike in blood sugar levels and flip you out of the state of ketosis.

Bananas

Bananas are known for their potassium contents and other nutrients present in them. However, they are not a great choice to be included in a ketogenic diet as they are dense in their carbohydrate contents.

Studies^[5] have shown that a single medium-sized banana contains 27 grams of carbohydrates. Bananas are low in fiber which gives another reason for not being included in keto diets.

Instead of consuming bananas, you may alternatively have banana extracts which will give you the flavor of bananas and are low in carbs to fit into your keto diet plan.

Beans And Legumes

Black beans, lentils, and chickpeas are packed with vitamins and minerals but they also contain carbohydrates. Studies^[6] have shown that 100 grams of black beans, lentils, and chickpeas contain 24 grams, 20 grams, and 27 grams of carbohydrates.

The high carbohydrate content present in beans and legumes may provide glucose as an energy source to your body which might bring your body out of the state of ketosis.

However, green beans and black soybeans are low in carbs. 100 grams of green beans have just 7 grams of carbs and 100 grams of black soybeans have 9 grams of carbs.

Hence, they may be incorporated in small amounts into your diet as suggested by this study.

Mangoes And Grapes

Fruits like mango and grapes are delicious and the favorite of all! But they are high in carbohydrates which prevents them from being keto-friendly fruits.

Studies^[7] have shown that half a cup of 82.5 grams of mangoes contains 12 grams of carbs and 46 grams of grapes contains 8 grams of carbs.

Although they cannot be included in a keto diet as they contain carbohydrates which may prevent you from entering the state of ketosis, mangoes and grapes contain a lot of vitamin C and other nutrients such as fibers.

On a keto diet, you may consume fruits like strawberries, raspberries, starfruit, and coconut which are low in carbohydrates.

Beer And Liquor

Drinks like beer and liquors have meager nutritional value and are high in carbohydrates. Therefore, one should avoid them when you are on a keto diet.

Hence, you could say that regular alcohol consumption might not help weight loss. 

Studies^[8] show that 356 milliliters of beer contain 13 grams of carbs. Similarly, one drink of 225 milliliters of vodka tonic, rum, cola, or margarita contains 15 grams, 18 grams, and 36 grams of carbs.

Since alcohol-based drinks do not provide^[9] any kind of nutrition, it is better to avoid them. Instead, you may use the daily carbohydrates allowance by consuming nutrient-dense foods.

Keto diets in the long term may lead to nutritional deficiencies. To prevent this, you must include nutrient-rich foods in your diet.

Starchy Vegetables

Starchy foods like potatoes and peas should be avoided on a keto diet. Potatoes are a great source of potassium but they are richly packed with carbs as well.

Starchy foods might prevent^[10] your body to enter into the ketosis state. Cauliflower can be a good alternative to potatoes. Brocolli is another good alternative instead of starchy foods.

Similarly, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, and cucumber are good options that can be included in your keto diet plan.

Sweetened Dairy Products

Fat becomes an essential part of your ketogenic diet. However, these fats should not be accompanied by carbohydrates. Sweetened yogurt is a common dairy product that is widely consumed.

It contains artificial sugars which would flip you out of the ketosis state. Studies^[11] have shown that one cup or 244 milliliters of whole milk contains 11 grams of carbohydrates.

Alternatively, the same amount of almond oil has just 3 grams of carbs. Therefore, it is better^[12] to use almond oil instead of whole milk.

Full-fat yogurt and cottage cheese can easily fit into your keto diet chart. 85 grams of unsweetened coconut milk has 16.5 grams of fats and 7.5 grams of carbohydrates as shown by research^[13]. This makes it a keto-friendly food item.