Nuts & Seeds on a Ketogenic Diet
Are Nuts and Seeds Keto-Friendly Foods?
As a registered dietitian who follows and recommends a well-balanced, very-low-carb diet, I've become concerned about the number of healthy foods being criticized for containing too many carbs.
Although there's no denying that certain plant foods don't belong in a keto diet, there are many others that can and should be enjoyed on a regular basis, such as nuts and seeds.
What Are Nuts and Seeds?
Nuts and seeds are similar foods that originate as different parts of a plant.
Nuts are technically classified as fruits, although they are neither soft nor sweet. Their hard outer shell needs to be cracked open to release the seed-containing fruit inside. With the exception of walnuts, nuts are high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs).
By contrast, seeds are actually embryonic plants. Although most seeds need to be removed from their outer shells or husks before being eaten, some can be consumed directly from the plant, such as sesame seeds. Unlike most nuts, seeds tend to be high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).
Both nuts and seeds are lower in carbs than many plants, such as fruits, grains, and some vegetables. Additionally, they are rich in fiber and several vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium, potassium and selenium.
How Do Nuts and Seeds Affect Blood Sugar and Ketosis?
Nuts and seeds provide low to moderate amounts of carbohydrates, depending on the type. Total carb counts per ounce (28 grams) range from a low of 3.5 grams for Brazil nuts to a high of 12.6 grams for chia seeds.
However, in many cases, more than half of these carbs are fiber, which does not increase blood sugar or jeopardize ketosis.
Unlike carbs, fiber isn't digested and absorbed in your small intestine because of the way its bonds are arranged. Humans lack the enzymes that break fiber's bonds and allow it to be absorbed. Instead, fiber passes through your small intestine and enters your colon. Once there, its fate depends on whether it is soluble or insoluble fiber.
Insoluble vs Soluble Fibre
Insoluble fiber simply passes through your colon and helps to bulk up your stool. Therefore, it provides no calories at all. About 70-75% of the fiber in nuts and seed is insoluble.
Soluble fiber dissolves in water and forms a gel that slows down the movement of food through your digestive tract, which can help you feel full. Once soluble fiber arrives in the colon, it is used as a food source by your gut bacteria and fermented into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including butyrate, acetate and propionate (1).
These SCFAs provide about 1-2 calories per gram of soluble fiber, depending on the type of fiber (2). By contrast, one gram of digestible carb provides 4 calories.
Even though the fermentation of soluble fiber to SCFAs provides your body with a few calories, it doesn't raise blood glucose levels. In fact, research suggests that it may improve blood sugar regulation.
SCFAs are mainly used to keep your gut healthy, but they can also have beneficial effects in other organs and tissues. Butyrate has been shown to enhance fat burning, acetate helps control appetite, and propionate can be used for gluconeogenesis (literally “making new glucose”) in the liver and intestine (1, 2).
Does Soluble Fibre Raise Blood Sugar?
Propionate's role in gluconeogenesis may sound concerning. However, propionate only accounts for about 20% of all SCFAs (3). Also, keep in mind that only 25-30% of fiber is soluble and capable of being fermented to SCFAs. Therefore, any increase in blood sugar related to propionate would be minimal.
Moreover, recent research suggests that intestinal gluconeogenesis actually improves blood sugar disposal, leading to better blood sugar regulation (4, 5).
Although the exact mechanisms are complex, the evidence to date suggests that these SCFAs may help control blood sugar, increase insulin sensitivity and reduce metabolic risk factors. (1, 2, 6).
Finally, a large body of research confirms that fiber can help decrease food intake and reduce the amount of calories you absorb from mixed meals (7, 8).
Therefore, consuming modest amounts of fiber-rich nuts and seeds may help control blood sugar, increase insulin sensitivity and reduce metabolic risk factors
Are Nuts and Seeds Suitable for Weight Loss?
Nuts and seeds are considered a high-calorie food. Indeed, most contain about 160-210 calories per ounce (28 grams).
Interestingly, studies on almonds, walnuts and pistachios have shown that not all of their calories are absorbed because a portion of fat stays trapped within the nut's fibrous wall during digestion (9, 10, 11).
For instance, although the nutrition facts label on a package of walnuts indicates that a 1-oz (28-gram) serving has 185 calories, researchers have shown that only about 146 of these calories are absorbed by your body (11).
Although similar studies haven't been conducted on other nuts, it's possible that a portion of their calories may not be absorbed either.
On the other hand, nuts and seeds can be extremely easy to overeat, especially when consumed straight from the container or bag. It's best to portion them out and limit yourself to one or two servings per day if you're trying to lose weight.
Here are the carb profiles of different nuts and seeds, along with their key nutrients and potential health benefits. All nutrition information is based on a 1-ounce (28-gram) serving.
Nutrition Profiles and Benefits of Nuts and Seeds Almonds
- Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 6.1 g, Fiber: 3.5 g, Net Carbs: 2.6 g
- Key Nutrients: Almonds provide 37% of the RDI (Recommended Dietary Allowance) for vitamin E.
- Potential Health Benefits: Improvement in heart health markers. In one study, people with elevated cholesterol who consumed 36-72 grams (1-2.5 ounces) of almonds every day experienced a decrease in oxidized LDL cholesterol, a major heart disease risk factor (12).
- Interesting fact: Of all nuts and seeds, almonds are the highest in protein (6 grams of protein per serving).
Brazil Nuts
- Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 3.5 g, Fiber: 2.1 g, Net Carbs: 1.4 g
- Key Nutrient: Brazil nuts are extremely high in selenium. In fact, one Brazil nut provides more than 130% of your daily requirement for selenium, a mineral involved in maintaining healthy thyroid function, among other things. However, in order to avoid potentially toxic levels of selenium, it's best to limit your intake to a few Brazil nuts per day.
- Potential Health Benefits: Reduction in inflammation. Studies have shown that Brazil nuts decrease inflammatory markers in the blood and protect cells from unstable molecules called free radicals (13, 14).
Cashews
- Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 8.6 g, Fiber: 0.9 g, Net Carbs: 7.7 g
- Key Nutrient: Among nuts, cashews are the highest in copper, providing 31% of the RDI per serving. On the other hand, they also have the most net carbs.
- Potential Health Benefits: Lower cholesterol levels. A recent study found that LDL cholesterol was modestly reduced in people who consumed 28-64 grams (1-2 ounces) of cashews daily (15).
- Interesting fact: Cashews have the highest amount of net carbs and should be used sparingly when following a low-carb diet.
Hazelnuts
- Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 4.7 g, Fiber: 2.7 g, Net Carbs: 2 g
- Key Nutrient: One serving of hazelnuts contains nearly a quarter of your daily requirement for vitamin E.
- Potential Health Benefits: Improvements in lipid profile. In one study, people with mildly elevated cholesterol consumed 30 grams (1 ounce) of hazelnuts for 4 weeks. By the end of the study, they had significant reductions in total cholesterol and cholesterol: HDL ratio. In addition, they experienced a significant decrease in apo-B, reflecting a reduction in their LDL particle number (16).
Macadamia Nuts
- Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 3.9 g, Fiber: 2.4 g, Net Carbs: 1.5 g
- Key Nutrient: Macadamia nuts are higher in monounsaturated fat (MUFA) than any other nut, in addition to being the highest in fat overall. In fact, 78% of the fat in macadamia nuts consists of heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids.
- Potential Health Benefits: Higher HDL and lower LDL. In a 4-week study of men with elevated cholesterol, consuming 40-90 grams (1.5-3 ounces) of macadamia nuts per day led to an 8% increase in HDL cholesterol and a 5% decrease in LDL cholesterol (17).
Pecans
- Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 3.9 g, Fiber: 2.7 grams, Net Carbs: 1.2 grams
- Key Nutrients: Pecans are a good source of zinc, providing one third of the RDI for this mineral. Moreover, they are the nut lowest in net carbs.
- Potential Health Benefits: Antioxidant protection. A study in 16 healthy men and women found that consuming 90 grams (3 ounces) of pecans led to a decrease in oxidized LDL and increased antioxidant levels in the blood for several hours (18).
- Interesting fact: Of all nuts, pecans are lowest in net carbs.
Pistachios
- Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 7.9 g, Fiber: 2.9 g, Net Carbs: 5 g
- Key Nutrient: One serving of pistachios provides 24% of your daily requirement for vitamin B6.
- Potential Health Benefits: Improvement in blood sugar and lipid values. Studies in people with type 2 diabetes have found that pistachio intake ranging from 25-90 grams (1-3 ounces) per day helped reduce blood sugar, cholesterol and triglyceride levels (19, 20).
Walnuts
- Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 3.9 g, Fiber: 1.9 g, Net Carbs: 2 g
- Key Nutrient: Walnuts contain more anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids than any other nut.
- Potential Health Benefits: Improved artery function and lower LDL particles. Studies suggest that walnuts may protect the endothelial cells that line your arteries and reduce LDL cholesterol and LDL particles (21, 22, 23).
- Interesting fact: Of all nuts, walnuts contain the highest levels of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats.
As in the nuts section above, all nutrition information for seeds is based on a 1-ounce (28-gram) serving, except where noted.
Chia Seeds
- Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 12.3 g, Fiber: 10.6 g, Net Carbs: 1.7 g
- Key Nutrients: Chia seeds are very high in fiber and rich in omega-3 PUFAs, which are considered anti-inflammatory. Chia seeds are also a good source of calcium. One serving provides 18% of the RDI for this mineral.
- Potential Health Benefits: Lower blood sugar and improved satiety. In a 12-week study of 11 healthy people, consuming 7-24 grams (0.25-1 gram) of chia seeds daily resulted in lower post-meal blood sugar levels and greater satiety for up to 2 hours after eating. Moreover, the greatest effects were seen with the highest dosage of chia seeds (24).
- Interesting fact: Of all nuts and seeds, chia seeds contain the highest levels of fibre.
Flaxseed
Note: Based on 14 grams (0.5 ounces) or 2 Tablespoons of ground flaxseed.
- Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 4 g, Fiber: 3.6 g, Net Carbs: 0.4 g
- Key Nutrients: Flaxseed is the best source of lignans, a type of fiber that's been credited with many beneficial effects on health. It is also high in and omega-3 fatty acids and very low in net carbs. Click here to read more about health benefits of flax seeds and potential concerns.
- Potential Health Benefits: Improvements in blood sugar and insulin regulation. Studies in older overweight and pre-diabetic women have found that taking 10-13 grams of flaxseed daily helped lower blood sugar, improve insulin resistance and boost weight loss (25, 26).
- Interesting facts: Of all nuts and seeds, flaxseed is the lowest in net carbs. Also, contrary to common beliefs that flaxseed can cause cancer, it has been shown to have beneficial and cancer-protective properties.
Hemp Seeds
- Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 3.3 g, Fiber: 2 g, Net Carbs: 1.3 g
- Key Nutrient: Hemp seeds are rich in gamma-linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid, and magnesium. One serving provides 75% of your daily magnesium needs.
- Potential Health Benefits: Reduction of heart disease risk factors. Although high-quality research on hemp seed in humans is lacking, animal studies suggest it can lower blood pressure and protect heart health (27, 28).
Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas)
- Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 5 g, Fiber: 1.1 g, Net Carbs: 3.9 g
- Key Nutrients: One serving of pumpkin seeds provides 23% of the RDI for iron and 37% of the RDI for magnesium.
- Potential Health Benefits: Reduction in blood sugar levels and inflammation. A 12-week study in people with advanced kidney disease reported significant reductions in triglycerides, blood sugar, insulin and inflammatory markers in those who took 30 grams (1 ounce) of a mixture of pumpkin and other seeds every day (29).
Sesame Seeds
- Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 6.6 g, Fiber: 3.3 g, Net Carbs: 3.3 g
- Key Nutrients: Sesame seeds provide 27% of your daily calcium needs and 25% of your daily magnesium needs per serving.
- Potential Health Benefits: Lower LDL cholesterol and antioxidant protection. In one study, people with elevated cholesterol who ate 40 grams (1.5 ounces) of sesame seeds daily for 60 days experienced significant decreases in LDL cholesterol and free radical cell damage, along with an increase in antioxidant activity (30).
Sunflower Seeds
- Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 5.6 g, Fiber: 2.4 g, Net Carbs: 3.2 g
- Key Nutrient: Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of vitamin E. In fact, one serving contains nearly half of the RDI for this vitamin.
- Potential Health Benefits: Improvement in lipid profile. In a study of postmenopausal women with diabetes, a daily serving of 30 grams (1 ounce) of sunflower seeds for 3 weeks led to significant decreases in cholesterol and triglyceride levels (31).
Which Nuts and Seeds Are Best on a Ketogenic Diet?
Although all nuts and seeds are healthy, some are more appropriate for a keto or very-low-carb lifestyle than others. Below are the best ones to include in your diet on a regular basis.
Lowest in Net Carbs
These nuts and seeds provide less than 3 grams of net carbs per 28-gram (1-ounce) serving, except where noted:
- Flaxseed: 0.4 grams per 14-gram (0.5-ounce) serving
- Pecans: 1.2 grams
- Hemp seeds: 1.3 grams
- Brazil nuts: 1.4 grams
- Macadamia nuts: 1.5 grams
- Chia seeds: 1.7 grams
- Walnuts: 2 grams
- Hazelnuts: 2 grams
- Almonds: 2.6 grams
Highest in Fiber
These nuts and seeds provide at least 2.7 grams of fiber per 28-gram (1-ounce) serving, except where noted:
- Chia seeds: 10.6 grams (2.7 grams soluble)
- Flaxseed: 3.6 grams (1.9 grams soluble) per 14-gram (0.5-ounce) serving
- Almonds: 3.5 grams (0.35 grams soluble)
- Sesame seeds: 3.3 grams (0.8 grams soluble)
- Pistachios: 2.9 grams (0.7 grams soluble)
- Hazelnuts: 2.7 grams (1.1 grams soluble)
- Pecans: 2.7 grams (0.5 grams soluble)
Best Omega-6:Omega-3 PUFA Ratio
Seeds contain far more polyunsaturated fats than most nuts do. These are the seeds with the best ratio of Omega-6:Omega-3 PUFAs (you can read more about healthy fats here):
- Chia seeds: 1:3
- Flaxseed: 1:4
- Hemp seeds: 2.5:1
Take-Home Message
Nuts and seeds can definitely be part of a well-balanced keto or low-carb diet.
Overall, they are high in healthy fat, low to moderate in protein and rich in several nutrients. In addition, most are low in net carbs and high in fiber, including soluble fiber. Studies suggest that consuming soluble fiber helps lower blood sugar, aids in weight management, promotes gut health and provides other benefits.
Nuts and seeds are also portable, versatile, delicious, and satisfying.
Consume nuts and seeds in moderation if your goal is to lose weight. It's worth a second mention that although we don't absorb all of the calories in nuts, we still get a fair amount. In large quantities, nuts can certainly slow down weight loss and perhaps even lead to weight gain.
However, most types of nuts and seeds are great for keto diets when consumed in moderation. If you've been avoiding them because you feel they're too high in carbs, consider adding them back in. They may just improve your health and make your keto lifestyle even more enjoyable.
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Enjoy!
