Ah, the majestic dragon fruit. This beautiful, exotic delicacy is often considered one of the most mysterious fruits in the world. With its vibrant colors and spikes, it’s no wonder it has captured people’s imaginations for centuries.
The first time I laid eyes on a dragon fruit, I was absolutely mesmerized. I had no idea what it was, but I knew I needed to try it. And boy, am I glad I did! Not only is dragon fruit incredibly delicious, but it’s also surprisingly nutritious. I would describe it’s taste and texture to be somewhat similar to a kiwi, with a hint of sweetness.
After going keto, I wanted to know whether I could still enjoy dragon fruit or not. So, I did quite a bit of digging on the internet. In this post, I’ll teach you everything you need to know about dragon fruit and whether it’s keto-friendly or not.
Is Dragon Fruit Keto?
Let’s get right to it. Unfortunately, dragon fruit is not keto-friendly. It’s often called a moderately keto fruit because it falls somewhere in the middle of the carb spectrum. One whole dragon fruit contains approximately 12 grams of carbs, with almost 8 grams of those being sugar. And we all know that too much sugar is a no-no on the keto diet.
Of course, this was disheartening news to me at first. But as long as you limit your intake, and have perhaps a quarter or half of a dragon fruit as a treat every once in a while, you’ll be just fine!
Is dragon fruit high in carbs?
As I’ve mentioned before, a single dragon fruit weighing around 198 grams contains around 12 grams of carbs. Although this amount is a little high for a keto diet, the dragon fruit actually has less carbs compared to other tropical fruits. For example, a comparable sized mango has approximately twice the amount of carbs as a dragon fruit.
So, if you’re looking for a moderately low carb tropical fruit to enjoy on occasion, dragon fruit is definitely a good option!
Is dragon fruit good for weight loss?
Yes, dragon fruit is great for weight loss! Not only is it low in calories, but it’s also packed with fiber.
Fiber helps you to feel full and satisfied after eating, which can prevent you from overeating later on.
Here are some of the major benefits of dragon fruit:
- Contains essential vitamins and mineral, along with healthy plant compounds like polyphenols, carotenoids, and betacyanins.
- Powerhouse of antioxidants like Vitamin C and betalains, which can help to protect your cells from damage.
- Good source of prebiotics, which helps to promote a healthy gut microbiome.
- High iron and magnesium content compared to other fruits, which helps to support a healthy immune system.
So yes, if you’re trying to lose weight and you’re looking for a healthy snack option, you should definitely include dragon fruit in your diet!
What are the best fruits for keto diet?
The lowest carb fruits include avocados, blackberries, blueberries and strawberries.
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Keto Dragon Fruit Smoothie With Yogurt:
So even though dragon fruit is not keto friendly, we can still enjoy it, just in small quantities. This keto dragon fruit smoothie for example only uses a small amount of pink dragon fruit but still gets a nice pink color and slight dragon fruit taste from it.
It contains 80 calories and only 2g net carbs per glass since we’re only using a little bit of dragon fruit. Find out how to make the delicious low carb dragon fruit smoothie below!
What you’ll need (Makes 1 serving):
- 1/4 cup (25g) of fresh or frozen dragon fruit (I used pink dragon fruit)
- 1 cup of almond milk (unsweetened)
- 1/4 cup (50g) plain greek yogurt (this is the lowest carb option I’ve found)
- 2 tbsp sweetener or keto honey
- a squeeze of lime (optional)
Optional: add some ice cubes for a thicker consistency or if you’re using fresh dragon fruit, to make the smoothie colder.
Instructions:
- Add all off the ingredients into a blender and blend away until everything is combined and smooth.
- Serve immediately.
Keto Dragon Fruit Smoothie With Yogurt
A delicious and healthy keto dragon fruit smoothie with yogurt. This pink keto smoothie is super quick to make and tastes delicious!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup (25g) of fresh or frozen dragon fruit
- 1 cup of almond milk (unsweetened)
- 1/4 cup (50g) plain greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp sweetener or keto honey
- a squeeze of lime (optional)
- ice(optional)
Instructions
- Add all off the ingredients into a blender and blend away until everything is combined and smooth.
- Pour into a glass and serve immediately.
Notes
Add in some ice cubes to make the smoothie thicker or colder.
Squeeze in some lemon or lime for a tangy twist.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 80Total Fat: 3gCarbohydrates: 4gNet Carbohydrates: 2gFiber: 2gProtein: 5g
Conclusion
I hope this post has answered all of your questions about dragon fruit and whether it’s keto-friendly or not. A lot of people assume that because it’s a sweet fruit, it has to be completely avoided on the keto diet. But now you know that’s not true at all!
Go ahead and enjoy dragon fruit on occasion, knowing that it’s actually pretty good for you! Thanks for reading!
Let us know if you liked the low carb dragon fruit smoothie recipe!
More Keto Smoothie Recipes to Try:
Keto Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie
Keto Avocado Pineapple Smoothie
Best Keto Mixed Berry Smoothie