Are Artichokes Keto? We Explore Carbs, Fiber, And Keto Alternatives

Artichokes are delicious veggies and are popular among those who follow a low-carb or vegetarian diet. 

However, an artichoke is often seen as having a high amount of carbs due to both its texture and size. This may make you ask yourself the question: “Are artichokes keto?”.

In this article, we shall explore whether artichokes are keto-friendly and what other alternatives are out there. 

Are Artichokes Keto-Friendly?

Yes, artichokes are definitely keto-friendly. It is said that artichokes are one of the best veggies to eat while on a keto diet.

This is because they are low-calorie but also packed with lots of nutrients. This will provide you with what you need on a daily basis while keeping the calorie intake low.

You can eat both the heart of the artichoke, as well as the leaves. Fortunately, there are a lot of different recipes available to help you to find ways you can add artichoke to a keto diet.

Artichokes themselves have an abundance of goodness within them, making them a great source of nutrients. This includes vitamin C, an antioxidant that can help fight free radicals from both the environment and food.

Artichokes also include important electrolytes. Due to keto dieters losing weight, especially first-timers who often lose it rapidly, these electrolytes are very beneficial for the body.

So, with all this being said, artichokes are most definitely suitable for those following a keto diet. 

Why Do People Eat Artichokes On Keto Diets?

Despite the size of artichokes, many people on a low-carb diet enjoy eating them. There are many different reasons for this. Here are just a few of them:

• Artichokes are full of nutrients and can offer you around 5 grams worth of fiber for every 100 grams eaten. 
• Artichokes are actually a low-calorie veggie despite the size of it. Not only is this great for those on keto, but it provides a person with many nutrients too.
• The green-colored veggie also provides a person with lots of minerals and vitamins. This includes the likes of potassium and much-needed electrolytes. 
• However, artichokes do not provide much in the way of dietary fat. It is the same with protein as well.
• Lastly, artichokes are a vegetable that can be eaten and cooked in a variety of different ways. This makes the veggies very versatile when cooking them into a low-carb dish.

What Are The Nutrition Stats Of Artichoke?

Raw artichokes (as well as cooked) can provide a person with a lot of benefits. However, here is a quick breakdown of the different stats and facts when it comes to 100 grams worth of raw artichokes: 

• 0.2 grams of dietary fat
• 47 calories
• 11 grams of carbohydrates
• 3.3 grams of protein
• 1 gram of sugar
• 5 grams of dietary fiber
• 370 mg of potassium
• 94 mg of sodium
• 0 mg of cholesterol

What Are The Health Benefits Of Artichokes?

If you are planning to take on a keto diet for the first time, then you will want to add artichokes to your diet. These green veggies are packed full of good stuff that is highly nutritious. 

The vitamins and minerals are also great for those on a low-calorie diet as they will provide you with what you need to stay healthy. 

Here are just some of the health benefits of eating artichokes:

Regulates Blood Sugar

There has been evidence to suggest that artichokes have the ability to regulate the glucose in the blood. This refers to both artichoke leaf extract and whole artichokes. 

Lowers Risk Of Heart Disease

Artichokes are great for the heart. This is because the bioactive compound within the artichoke is said to help regulate the pressure of the blood. 

Not only that, artichokes may have the ability to increase HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) levels, and lower LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) levels.

Packed Full Of Antioxidants

Like a lot of other green-colored vegetables, artichokes can provide an abundance of antioxidants. This is because artichokes have a lot of vitamins and minerals within them.

Vitamin C is one of the antioxidants present in artichokes. This antioxidant along with the others has the ability to help protect cells from damage by free radicals.

Free radicals can harm the body and are present in the environment (for example pollution and the sun), and if left alone can cause cancer and other chronic and long-term diseases. 

Do Artichokes Include Fiber?

Yes, artichokes include fiber. For every 100 grams worth of artichokes served, you will eat around 5 grams worth of fiber. 

Fiber is essential for a healthy diet but is also useful if you are trying to lose weight. This is because fiber will help to keep your bowel movements regular.

Fiber can also help you to feel full for longer, meaning you will snack less.

Are There Alternatives To Eating Artichokes On A Keto Diet?

If you are not a fan of artichokes or just want to eat something different, then there are alternatives. Some of these include: 

• Zucchini
• Brussel sprouts
• Cardone
• Hearts of palm
• Asparagus

Keto-Friendly Artichoke Recipes

If you are wondering how to use artichokes for dinner, then take a look at these delicious recipes that are great for those on keto:

• Keto-friendly Parmesan Baked Artichoke Hearts – cheesy veggies are always a winner at dinner! 
• Keto-Friendly Low-Carb Creamy Artichoke Soup – this soup makes an easy lunch that is both tasty and healthy.
• Keto-Friendly Chicken And Artichoke – packed full of protein, this dish will keep you fuller for longer. 

Final Thoughts

Artichokes are a great vegetable to eat when on a keto diet. This is because the green veggy is low in carbs yet is packed full of nutrients.

This means you can enjoy an artichoke dish knowing that you aren’t consuming too many calories, but are filling up on minerals and vitamins.

There are many ways to use artichokes too. They are very versatile as a veggie and will work within so many different dishes.