Quinoa Isn't As Keto-Friendly As You Might Think
For those who prefer to stick to a keto diet, it's essential to look for certain food items that are low in carbs. Per Healthline, the ketogenic diet focuses on increasing fat intake while restricting carbs. Food items such as fruits, beans, root vegetables, alcohol, and certain kinds of condiments are not the right choice in a ketogenic meal plan. Meanwhile, options such as meat, eggs, cheese, fatty cheese, avocados, low-carb vegetables, and nuts are highly encouraged.
If you're a quinoa fan and think it's an ideal pick for the keto diet, you may want to reconsider. According to Men's Health, this is not a great choice and can interfere with your eating schedule. As a Reddit user put it, "quinoa is a grain. It's considered healthy in a high-carb diet, but ... it's definitely not something you should be eating on a ketogenic diet at all." However, it's possible to consume it as long as you're being mindful of your carb intake.
Quinoa may not be an ideal choice
Why is quinoa not the easiest food option to incorporate into a ketogenic diet? Per Men's Health, the problem with including quinoa in your meals is that it will quickly take up most of your carb requirements for the day in a single meal. Consider this: half a cup of quinoa has 20 grams of carbs. Those on a typical keto diet try to consume 25 to 50 grams of carbs in a day (based on someone who's sticking to 2,000 calories every day).
"If you eat quinoa, you can't eat many fruits or veggies that day and may miss out on the nutrients they contain," nutritionist Natalie Rizzo explained. If you still want to eat quinoa in a ketogenic diet, consider controlling your portion sizes and including vegetables in your meal. Ultimately, it's a healthy pick and can be enjoyed in moderation in a keto plan.