Is Celery Keto Friendly?
So you’re on Keto, or you’ve considered doing it and you’re asking yourself “Is celery keto friendly?” Possibly one of your friends or family members is doing it and they complain that although the diet is working for them and is helping them to shed fat, there just aren’t enough snacks to curb the cravings.
You think to yourself for a moment. Well, I like celery. You’ve heard it provides “negative calories”, meaning that it would burn more calories for you to digest it than the energy it actually provides. But is this actually true?
Also, what can you really do with it besides eat it straight up? We’ll find that out today, but I’ll give you a hint; there’s more you can do with it than you think you can. Let’s dive right into it!
Nutritional Value
First, let’s look at celery’s nutritional content. It has 16 calories per 100 gram serving, which is roughly equal to about 2 full celery stalks. People often eat it due to its dietary fiber content, that being about 1.6 grams per serving. This makes it a perfect low-calorie food for those who are constantly hungry.
However, the rumor of it being a “negative calorie” food is false. When you consume celery, the net amount of calories you would take in would still be positive, being slightly less than 16 calories when all is said and done. The digestion of the celery doesn’t take up nearly as much energy as it’s touted to [1]. However, don’t be discouraged, it is still very effective at keeping you full with the least amount of calories possible.
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Making Celery Fun
Okay, so you think celery tastes good and all, but you definitely don’t see yourself eating it consistently because, let’s face it, it’s kind of bland compared to other, more delicious snacks out there. Plus you don’t want to eat it with something unhealthy like nutella. Don’t worry though, we’ll explore some ideas for you to try that include celery to ensure that you stay in ketosis while also keeping your calorie intake to a minimum!
Cream Cheese
Kinda feel foolish for not thinking of this one huh? What makes this snack so great is that nowadays, at least in the United States, there are so many varieties of cream cheeses out there. So there’s always something new to try! Just as a short list, there are:
- Plain
- Strawberry
- Blueberry
- Veggie
- Garlic
- Cinnamon
As you can see, the possibilities are endless! Feel free to top this off with some bacon for an extra kick of protein! Throwing some good garlic or onion powder on it, along with whatever spices you like, really prevents this snack from getting boring any time soon.
Peanut Butter
Oh yes, enough said. Nothing beats this classic…
Hummus
Move that pita bread to the side, because you got this delicious low calorie alternative to dip into that glorious chickpea concoction. Like with cream cheese, there are so many different variations of hummus out there, such as:
- Avocado
- Caramelized Onion
- Jalapeno
- Tomato/Basil
- Lime
- Pine Nut
- Olive Oil
And even bacon!!!
So don’t be afraid to try out new varieties every time you visit your local grocery store.
Salad Dressing
The last one on this list will be your choice of salad dressing. Often, salad dressings are high in fat and low in carbs. Examples of this include ranch, honey mustard, and caesar. Simply pour any of these dressings into a bowl and go to town with your celery!
Conclusion
What’s important to remember here is that portion sizes matter! It’s very difficult to over eat on celery, but it can be quite easy to do with these toppings and dressings that accommodate it. Please measure out the servings of these so that you still hit your calorie and fat goals for the day, but you aren’t going over your calorie goals. With that in mind, happy snacking!
References
- Nestle, M.; Nesheim, M.C. (2012). Why Calories Count: From Science to Politics. University of California Press. p. 189. ISBN 9780520262881. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
