Can I eat cheese on a keto diet - and if so, which types? | You Ask, We Answer (2024)

Last updated 17/01/2024

The Ketogenic diet or “keto” diet is a low carbohydrate and high fat eating plan. Whilst there are variations of the keto diet, they all consist of high levels of fat, moderate protein and very low levels of carbohydrate. The ratio of these macronutrients is generally 55 to 60% fat, 30 to 35% protein and 5 to 10% carbohydrate.1

The table below provides the macronutrient percentages of some common cheese varieties. All contain either minimal or no carbohydrate and varying amounts of protein and fat. Any type of cheese can be included on the keto diet, as long as total dietary carbohydrate intake remains low enough to keep the body in nutritional ketosis (using stored fat instead of carbohydrate to fuel the brain and body).

Cheese type

Carbohydrate %

Total Fat %

Protein %

Brie

31.5

18.2

Camembert

23.8

20.4

Mozzarella

22.1

22.2

Parmesan (fresh)

28.8

35.1

Feta cheese

0.4

22.3

16.6

Cheddar cheese (regular fat)

0.5

32.8

24.6

Cottage cheese

1.8

5.7

15.4

Source: Food Standards Australia New Zealand. (2011). NUTTAB 2010 – Australian Food Composition Tables.

The keto diet may have benefits for weight loss, but it is important to seek professional advice to ensure all your dietary requirements are being met. An Accredited Practising Dietitian can provide expert advice to help you eat well when following a keto diet plan.

Can I eat cheese on a keto diet - and if so, which types? | You Ask, We Answer (2024)

FAQs

Can I eat cheese on a keto diet - and if so, which types? | You Ask, We Answer? ›

All types of cheese are allowed on the keto diet, as cheese is relatively low in carbohydrate, which complies with the key principle of the keto diet. The Ketogenic diet or “keto” diet is a low carbohydrate and high fat eating plan.

What type of cheese is keto friendly? ›

The best keto cheeses include cheddar, Gouda, goat cheese, and blue cheese, while the worst are cottage cheese and low fat and processed varieties. If you're following the keto diet or know someone who is, be sure to keep these cheeses in mind to promote ketosis and meet dietary goals.

Can I eat as much cheese as I want on keto? ›

The Bottom Line. Cheese is delicious and supports a healthy keto diet. To maintain ketosis and weight loss, limit yourself to 1-3 ounces of cheese per day. It's fantastic as a snack or ingredient in any recipe!

Why is cheese allowed in keto but not milk? ›

The keto diet restricts carbohydrate intake to a maximum of 50 grams per day, so it's best to select foods with very low amounts of carbs. Cow's milk doesn't meet this requirement because it contains high amounts of lactose, a type of sugar.

What cheese has no carbs? ›

Goat cheese is an excellent choice for someone following the keto diet. It contains 0 carbs, making it a great way to hit your macros — 1 ounce (oz) of goat cheese also offers 103 calories, 8 g of fat, and 6 g of protein, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Is mayonnaise keto friendly? ›

Keto Mayo Nutrition Information

Mayonnaise is the perfect condiment for the Keto Diet because it consists of high fat, low protein, and zero carbohydrates. It also has many health benefits that can help you maintain Ketosis and achieve your weight loss goals on the Keto diet.

Can I eat bacon on keto? ›

Can You Eat Bacon On a Keto Diet? While you may not think of bacon as diet food, most types of bacon fit perfectly into a keto diet plan since they're low in carbs yet high in protein and fat. That means bacon is perfect for snacking on in the afternoon or mixing into your chicken dinner dish for some extra flavoring.

What are big mistakes on keto? ›

Not watching your carb intake - Sugar and refined carbs are in many foods. You should be aiming to eliminate these from your keto diet. “Try to keep your net carb content under 20 grams/day or total carbs under 30 grams,” Dr Riggs says. Keep close track of your sugar and carb intake by reading nutrition labels.

Can you eat Philadelphia cream cheese on keto? ›

Philadelphia is one of the best brands of keto-friendly cream cheese. A 2-tablespoon serving of Philadelphia cream cheese contains 102 calories, 10 grams of fat, 1.8 grams of protein, and only 1.6 grams of carbohydrates. It's recommended to opt for plain or full-fat Philadelphia cream cheese for the keto diet.

What foods can I eat unlimited on keto? ›

Foods you can eat on the keto diet include fish and seafood, meat and poultry, non-starchy vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and zucchini, avocados, berries, nuts and seeds, eggs, high-fat dairy products, olive oil and other oils, and high-cocoa chocolate.

What sweets can be eaten on keto? ›

Make a batch of keto chocolate chip cookies, keto red velvet cake, and keto brownies to get your fix. We've even re-created our favorite candies and snack aisle faves, like keto Oreos, keto peanut butter cup fat bombs, and keto copycat snickers. And if you're a Frosty fan, you'll have to try our keto Frosty!

Is peanut butter keto? ›

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

Is mozzarella ok for keto? ›

According to the USDA, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese contains 17.6 grams of fat and 20.4 grams of protein. It's also rich in calcium, vitamin B12, and riboflavin. While not the best option for keto because of its carb content (3.83 grams), practitioners say you may still be able to consume it in moderation.

Can I eat carrots on keto? ›

The cooking method of carrots doesn't affect their carb content significantly, so they can be included raw or cooked in reasonable portions on the keto diet. Carrots can be part of a keto diet. However, given that they contain moderate amounts of carbs, you'll need to strictly limit your portion size.

Are pickles keto friendly? ›

Luckily, pickles are keto friendly, especially those that are of the dill pickle variety, as sugar is low. “Simply put, sweet pickles are made with sugar which will automatically push the carb count up,” says Hultin. “Dill or salt pickles don't have the added sugar and carbs, naturally,” she says.

Is mozzarella keto friendly? ›

According to the USDA, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese contains 17.6 grams of fat and 20.4 grams of protein. It's also rich in calcium, vitamin B12, and riboflavin. While not the best option for keto because of its carb content (3.83 grams), practitioners say you may still be able to consume it in moderation.

Is sour cream keto friendly? ›

Regular, full fat sour cream is made from cream and contains far more fat than carbs. Therefore, it's considered keto-friendly. However, low fat or nonfat sour cream is not. Full fat sour cream can provide some variety in a keto diet when used as a dip base or incorporated into recipes to boost the fat content.

Is peanut butter keto friendly? ›

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

Is Greek yogurt keto friendly? ›

Plain Greek yogurt and cottage cheese are nutritious, high protein foods. While they contain some carbs, you can eat them in moderation on keto. Both yogurt and cottage cheese have been shown to help decrease appetite and promote feelings of fullness (33, 34 ).

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Carlyn Walter

Last Updated:

Views: 5901

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carlyn Walter

Birthday: 1996-01-03

Address: Suite 452 40815 Denyse Extensions, Sengermouth, OR 42374

Phone: +8501809515404

Job: Manufacturing Technician

Hobby: Table tennis, Archery, Vacation, Metal detecting, Yo-yoing, Crocheting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Carlyn Walter, I am a lively, glamorous, healthy, clean, powerful, calm, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.