That’s how many vegetables the keto diet really contains!

Written by Marina Lommel
3 minutes reading time
17. July 2023 zuletzt aktualisiert am 14. October 2025 von Kimberly Werner
Titelbild mit Aufschrift Gemüse & Keto Diät / Cover image with caption Vegetables & Keto Diet

Often you hear that in a ketogenic diet must be completely abandoned fruits and vegetables. Here is the proof to the contrary.

In a ketogenic diet, you lower the amount of carbohydrates to under 30 g (or under 15-20 g for stricter forms). However, with 3 meals per day, one meal can thus contain at least 5 g of carbohydrates. If you only eat fried eggs or a Bulletproof Coffee in the morning, you can happily consume 10 g of carbohydrates from vegetables in the remaining two meals.

Other foods also contain carbohydrates in small amounts, e.g. eggs and nuts as well as dairy products. At the beginning of a ketogenic diet, we recommend consuming rather less dairy products and getting the carbohydrates mainly from nutrient-rich vegetables. So you can easily consume 600-900 g of vegetables per day. You can safely do without dairy products if you cover your calcium requirements with calcium-rich vegetables such as kale, arugula or spinach. 100 g of kale contain almost twice as much calcium as 100 ml of milk.

Those who approach a ketogenic diet correctly eat even MORE vegetables than those on an average diet. Vegetables form the basis of every meal in the ketogenic diet, replacing potatoes, rice and pasta as “side dishes” for satiety. The result is a much higher variety of nutrients on the plate.

In this regard, a study was also published last year, which presents that a well composed LCHF diet (Low Carb High Fat), provides all the necessary micronutrients.

Du möchtest dich auch gesünder ernähren?

Young woman laughing

The table: This is how many vegetables you can really eat on keto

In the left column you can see different vegetables in alphabetical order. To the right, you can see how much (in grams) of that vegetable you can eat to reach 5 g or 10 g of carbohydrates.

For example, 833 g of mushrooms, 403 g of pak choi or 664 g of sauerkraut contain only 5 g of carbohydrates. Would you have thought that?

5 g carbohydrates 10 g carbohydrates
Artichoke hearts 313 625
Eggplant 201 402
Oyster mushrooms 192 385
Bamboo shoots, fresh 521 1042
Cauliflower 217 435
Beans, young green 98 196
Broccoli 185 370
Brokkolini 167 333
Mushrooms 833 1667
Chicory 208 417
Chinese cabbage 403 805
Cocktail tomatoes 167 333
Oak leaf lettuce 500 1000
Iceberg lettuce 333 667
Endive 403 806
Lamb’s lettuce 625 1250
Fennel 167 333
Vegetable onion 102 204
Kale 200 400
Cauliflower 50 100
Carrots 74 147
Kohlrabi 135 270
Lettuce 472 943
Herb mushrooms 152 303
Leeks 153 307
Turnip 106 213
Chard 833 1667
Morels 1000 2000
Okra 100 200
Pak Choi 403 805
Bell bell pepper, yellow 94 189
Bell bell pepper, green 172 345
Bell bell pepper, red 78 156
Parsnips 41 83
Chanterelles 2941 5882
Pick lettuce 179 357
Portobello (giant mushroom) 1000 2000
Princess beans 100 200
Queller 114 227
Radicchio 333 667
Radish 235 469
Radish 209 418
Rhubarb 368 735
Romaine lettuce 294 588
Romanesco 214 427
Brussels sprouts 152 304
Beet 60 119
Red cabbage 141 282
Arugula 238 476
Cucumber 278 556
Sauerkraut 664 1328
Shallot 152 303
Black salsify 236 472
Celery tuber 222 444
Shiitake mushrooms 111 222
Asparagus, green 250 500
Asparagus, white 250 500
Spinach 820 1639
Pointed cabbage 185 370
Celery stalk 229 459
Rutabaga 100 200
Porcini mushrooms 943 1887
Thai asparagus 250 500
Tomatoes 192 385
Jerusalem artichoke 125 250
White cabbage 120 239
Savoy cabbage 171 342
Zucchini 222 444
Sugarloaf 333 667
Sugar snap peas 50 100
Onion, red 102 204
Onion, white 102 204

 

Since you have diligently written to us that you would also be interested in a fruit article, we of course have more for you here.

Always stay up to date with our Newsletter.

Feel free to leave us a comment, we are always open for other topic suggestions.

Foto: shutterstock.com / Anna Shkuratova

This article was written by

Marina Lommel

Marina gründete Foodpunk nach ihrem Abschluss in Ernährungswissenschaften und ist aktuell CEO des Unternehmens. Während ihres Studiums arbeitete sie in verschiedenen Bereichen, darunter in der Wissenschaftsredaktion beim Radio, Redaktion beim TV und Uni-Wissensmagazin sowie im Labor am DZNE in der Parkinsonforschung. Marina ist außerdem Autorin von 5 ernährungswissenschaftlichen Sachbüchern.

Similar posts by Foodpunk

Drei junge Frauen stehen lachend beieinander
14 minutes reading time

Hashimoto: the most common form of an underactive thyroid

Hashimoto is an autoimmune disease affecting roughly one in nine women in Germany. How can you support your thyroid with Hashimoto?

6cc82813 3ce7 46df a5fb 64fdd64d25d4
10 minutes reading time

The 10 best Foodpunk seasonal recipes in May

Discover 10 delicious seasonal recipes from your Foodpunk kitchen, just right for spring.

MCT im Bulletproof Coffee
14 minutes reading time

MCT fat: the direct route to more energy

The effects of MCT fat are wide-ranging and especially useful on a keto or low carb diet. We explain how to use MCT fat properly for fast energy.

unbedenklich als Süßungsmittel? Sucralose
12 minutes reading time

Sucralose (E955): safe sweetener or risky sugar alternative?

The latest research suggests the sweetener sucralose could harm our health. But what is really behind the headlines? We take a closer look.

Fatmouse
14 minutes reading time

Hormones from adipose tissue

Your body fat does more than store: adipose tissue releases hormones all day long and is the largest hormonally active organ in your body.

Ernährungsplan zum Abnehmen: Effektiv Gewicht verlieren mit Struktur
12 minutes reading time

Nutrition plan for losing weight: lose weight effectively with structure

A structured, individual nutrition plan is the key to lasting weight loss: the basics and concrete tips for your success.

Fuesse auf Waage Stoffwechselkur
12 minutes reading time

Metabolic cure: how to do it properly

Most metabolic cures are anything but a cure: they can damage your metabolism lastingly. Here is how to work WITH your body instead.

Stück Keto-Käsekuchen mit Beeren auf einem dunklen Teller
7 minutes reading time

Keto desserts for your perfect menu

Whether a mascarpone and papaya layered dessert, cookie dough ice cream or a Foodpunk pancake tower, this keto recipe collection has plenty for foodies.

13242330 1189234347775685 2140564664 o
2 minutes reading time

Eating out – Paleo Restaurants, Low Carb Cafés and much more – in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Together with our community, we want to create the ultimate list of foodpunk-worthy restaurants in Germany, Austria and Switzerland for you.