Are Pomelos Keto-Friendly?

a pomelo hanging on a tree

Pomelos are a popular citrus fruit from Southeast Asia.

But, you may be wondering if they are keto-friendly or not.

In this article, I’ll discuss the number of carbs in pomelos and if they’re suitable for a ketogenic diet or not.

What Are Pomelos?

Pomelos are large, green citrus fruits native to Southeast Asia. They taste very similar to grapefruits, but they are larger and more bitter. They also are more pear-shaped compared to grapefruits.

The pomelos with a yellow center are sweeter, whilst the ones with a pink center are sourer.

Photo by Anna Wlodarczyk on Unsplash

How Many Carbs Are In Pomelos?

One cup of sliced pomelo contains 18 grams of total carbs, 2 grams of fiber, and 16 grams of net carbs.

This makes pomelos relatively high in carbs compared to other fruits.

Are Pomelos Keto-Friendly?

Pomelos aren’t keto-friendly since one cup of sliced pomelos contains 16 grams of net carbs.

And since most of the carbs in pomelos come from sugar, you should look to avoid them and replace them with other, lower-carb fruits, such as:

  • Raspberries
  • Blackberries
  • Strawberries
  • Cranberries
Photo by Neringa Skorupskiene on Unsplash

How Many Calories Are In Pomelos?

One cup of sliced pomelo contains 70 calories, whilst one whole pomelo contains 230 calories, which is a relatively low amount. One pomelo also contains 18 grams of carbs, 0 grams of fat, and 5 grams of protein.

FAQ

Now, I’ll answer some of the most common questions that people on keto have about pomelos.

How Many Pomelos Can You Eat on Keto?

Since one cup of sliced pomelos contains 16 grams of net carbs, you should try to avoid eating pomelos on keto.

Are Pomelos Ok for Diabetics?

Diabetics can enjoy pomelos in moderation since they contain 16 grams of net carbs per cup. 

Are Pomelos Gluten-Free?

Since pomelos don’t contain any grains like wheat or rice, they are gluten-free.

Are Pomelos Low-FODMAP?

Pomelos aren’t low-FODMAP since they contain high levels of sugar and some fiber.

Photo by Phoenix Han on Unsplash

Are Pomelos Vegetarian?

Pomelos are vegetarian-friendly since they don’t contain any meat products.

Are Pomelos Vegan?

Pomelos are vegan-friendly since they don’t contain any animal products.

Are Pomelos Paleo?

Pomelos are paleo-friendly since they don’t contain any modern or processed ingredients.

Are Pomelos Healthy?

Pomelos are relatively healthy since they are natural and low in calories. But, since they are high in sugar, you should enjoy them in moderation.

Photo by Thomas Kelley on Unsplash

Conclusion

In conclusion, pomelos aren’t keto-friendly because one cup of sliced pomelo contains 16 grams of net carbs, which can add up and kick you out of ketosis.

In addition to that, since the carbs in pomelos mostly come from sugar, they can quickly spike your insulin. 

But, since they are still natural and relatively healthy, you can enjoy them in moderation. 

If you want to find out how I lost weight with keto and intermittent fasting, you can read my article here, where I share everything I did.