Enjoy Pecans as Part of your Keto Diet
Just because you're looking after your health doesn't mean you have to cut out all the delicious treats you love. Pecans are a great addition to a well-balanced keto diet since they're low in carbs, which is an important part of a keto-friendly diet. Whether you're already on the ketogenic diet or are just looking for new ways you can eat healthily, we're here to tell you all about the health benefits of pecans and give you some ideas to start snacking!
What is Keto?
Let's start with the basics: What is keto all about? You may have seen "keto-friendly" products at the grocery store, but rest assured it's not just a new fad. The keto diet is simply a low-carb, high-fat diet with the overall goal of helping the body maintain a healthy weight. This means you can keep plenty of your favorite items on the menu!
Originally developed over 100 years ago at the Mayo Clinic, the keto diet restricts simple carbohydrates as your main energy source and ups the healthy fats instead. By eating a diet low in carbs, you put your body into a state called ketosis. Your body burns excess fat for energy instead of storing it in favor of glucose from carbs. Many people on keto report weight loss, sustained energy, better concentration, and more.
As one of the world's foods that is naturally low in carbs and high in healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, natural pecans are a must-have for anyone embarking on a low-carb lifestyle. We offer large natural pecans in 1lb and 2lb bags and ship nationwide, so you can begin your pantry restock with just a few clicks!
Why Are Pecans Good for the Keto Diet?
A typical keto diet calls for limiting simple carbs to about 50g a day or less, which you can easily top by snacking on chips, bread, crackers, and so on. Instead, snack on pecans! Pecans have the lowest net carb content of any nut. In fact, one ounce of pecans contains just 1.1 grams of net carbs! This means that you can enjoy pecans as snacks and in some of your favorite pecan recipes all while sticking to a low-carb diet. Studies have also shown that pecans include antioxidants, which promote heart health, brain function, and reduce free radicals to keep aging fun.
Are Other Nuts Keto-Friendly, too? Which Ones?
In general, nuts are a great snack food since they're mostly low-carb, high-fiber, and high in healthy fats. Healthy fats make you feel full and satisfied for longer periods of time, which teams up with fiber to help you feel full longer and have sustained energy throughout the day. No more midday slump! Nuts are also a great way to pack your meal with essential vitamins and nutrients not commonly found in other foods, such as magnesium and selenium.
Still, if you're following a keto-friendly diet, you'll need to know your nuts as some have much higher carb contents than others. For instance, while pecans (1.1g net carbs per ounce), macadamias (1.5g), and walnuts (1.9g) are among the lowest-carb nuts, other options like pistachios (5.8g) and cashews (8.4g) are packed with much more per ounce. (Carb content stats via Perfect Keto.)
Which Pecans Are Best for the Keto Diet?
Like with any diet, it's best to save sweets for the occasional treat. Raw pecans offer the lowest amount of carbs and the highest overall nutritional value. Candied or flavor-coated pecans, though delicious, will bump up the carb count. Typically, the Keto Diet recommends selecting natural or organic nuts whenever possible, making sure to compare the ingredients of different brands.
Not sure where to start? You're in luck! Priester's Pecans has a wide selection of raw or natural pecans for you to enjoy. You can choose from a range of sizes, from tiny Extra Small Pecan Pieces to Jumbo Mammoth Pecan Halves. If you're stocking your pantry for your new keto journey, or just looking for other healthy snacks, we also have other low-carb nuts like macadamias and Red Skin Roasted Peanuts.
Keto-Friendly Pecan Recipes
At Priester's, we're never gonna tell you to cut out dessert. Keeping to a healthy diet doesn't mean missing out on all the fun! We have lovingly tested and put together a collection of keto-friendly recipes that bring traditional homemade pecan treats to the keto-friendly diet like Keto Butter Pecan Cookies, Keto Low-Carb Butter Pecan Ice Cream, Spicy Keto Candied Pecans, and more. We strive to make sure all the sweet Southern goodness you love can still be part of your healthy lifestyle.
Keto beginners and carb-counting experts alike will want to make pecans a staple in their kitchen for delicious, healthy, energy-boosting snacks or as a versatile, keto-friendly ingredient in your favorite treats. Mosey on over to our products and start planning your keto-friendly meals and desserts!