Coconut water is amazing for a keto diet. It has a lovely sweet and nutty flavor, it is moderate in carbs and full of electrolytes. So in answer to the question, is coconut water keto friendly, yes it is! To find out how good it is, and the keto health benefits it offers, read on.
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Anybody who has been on keto will know that coconut is amazing, coconut cream, coconut butter, coconut milk, coconut meat, coconut oil, coconut flour, coconut flakes (shredded coconut), coconut water, coconut sugar, it is all amazing, but is coconut water keto friendly?
Coconut water is often confused with its high-fat coconut milk, coconut water is the clear liquid that comes from the center of the coconut.
Sometimes it is also called coconut juice.
It is tapped from young, green coconuts and is refreshing in taste.
Principles Of Keto
The holy grail of the keto diet is getting their metabolism into ketosis.
Ketosis is the metabolic state of processing fats instead of glucose (carbohydrates) as its main source of fuel. It is at this point that all of the health benefits of keto and weight loss will kick in.
The whole ethos of a keto diet is to keep your macros to approximately 70% Fat, 25% Protein, and 5% Carbohydrates (Carbs) in order for your body to produce ketones as it transitions into ketosis.
This 5% of Carbs should not exceed 20 grams per day for a keto diet.
In order to keep your carb intake under 20 grams, and stick within your macros, you need to be conscious of what you are eating and stick to low carbs healthy foods, that are also low on the glycaemic index.
The reason for this is so as not to spike your blood sugar and knock you out of ketosis.
New to Keto? Why not check out our getting started guide, which should talk you through everything you need to know.
Let’s have a look at the number of carbs in coconut water, in order to understand how good it is for a keto diet.
What Is The Nutritional Value Of Coconut Water?
The nutritional value of coconut water per 100 ml is;
- Carbs: 3.7 grams.
- Protein: 0.7 grams.
- Fat: 0.2 grams.
- Fiber: 1.1 grams.
- Sugar: 2.6 grams.
- Calories: 19 cal
As you can see, coconut water is low in calories, low in protein, low in fat, and relatively low in carbohydrates.
Please do not get coconut water confused with coconut sugar, which is definitely NOT keto friendly.
How Many Net Carbs Are There In Coconut Water?
Let’s have a look, does coconut water have carbs?
Net carbs are calculated by deducting the total amount of fiber from the total number of carbs.
There are 11.5 grams of net carbs in coconut water (3.7 grams of carbs – 1.1 grams of fiber = 2.6 grams of net carbs).
An average glass of coconut water will be around 240 ml / 1 cup meaning that you would be consuming 6.24 net carbs per serving.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Coconut Water?
So we know coconut water is keto-friendly, but let’s quickly go through some of the amazing health benefits that coconut water.
- Coconut is full of antioxidants
- Great source of magnesium
- Good source of vitamin C
Coconut wanted can be a great alternative to sugary drinks as it is free from artificial sweeteners.
Used by Athletes
Interestingly, coconut water has fewer calories, less sodium, and more potassium than most sports drinks.
It is often used by athletes in order to prevent cramping and replace electrolytes lost during exercise.
Electrolytes are essential for everybody. They maintain the chemical reactions within the body.
As well as this, they help balance the fluid levels on the inside and outside of our cells which help keep our bodies hydrated.
For more on electrolytes and the role they have to play on a keto diet, check out our guide to electrolytes here.
WARNING: Check The Label
There are lots of different brands of coconut water available. Some will be packed with additional ingredients that are not ketogenic diet-friendly.
What you are looking for is plain coconut water that is also unsweetened.
Is Fresh Coconut Water Keto Friendly?
Yes, you can drink fresh coconut water on a keto diet. This is the best option as you can be confident that no sugars have been added.
**Always check the nutrition label**
Final Thoughts
Coconut water is the perfect drink for a keto diet with its lovely nutty taste. It is easy to fit within your carb allowance and is a fantastic low-carb alternative to fruit juice or other sugary drinks.
