We’ve already noticed that the best vegetables for keto are leafy veggies. And if we have easily found out that asparagus is excellent for the keto diet, what about cucumbers? It’s a green vegetable. Is it suitable for a low-carb diet? Are cucumbers keto?
The answer is very simple – yes. Cucumbers are keto, and they contain few carbohydrates. That is, they can be safely attributed to low-carb vegetables. In addition, cucumbers are high in water and fiber and have many health benefits. Therefore, feel free to include cucumbers in your diet when planning your meals on keto nutrition.
How many net carbs are in cucumbers? What beneficial vitamins can you find in this vegetable? What advantages do cucumbers bring to your keto diet? Let’s figure it out together!
Are Cucumbers Keto?
The cucumber belongs to the pumpkin family. It is a relative of squash, melon, and watermelon. Botanically, cucumber is considered a berry, and however, false. But traditionally, cucumber is most often referred to as a vegetable.
Cucumbers are very high in water and low in calories – only 14 calories per 100 grams. Here is the macronutrient composition of cucumber per 100 grams:
- proteins 0.8 g
- fats 0.1 g
- carbohydrates 2.5 g
- dietary fiber 1 g
- net carbs – 1.5 g
- water 95 g
As you can see, this unique vegetable is low in carbs and calories. So yes. Cucumbers are keto. Besides, it is one of the most popular and versatile vegetables for the keto diet. You can use it in any amount without worrying about macros counting.
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Remember that when you eat cucumbers like any other keto vegetables, you need to supplement them with healthy keto fats. Season salad with olive oil or coconut oil, and add avocados to cucumbers for a great keto vegan snack.
My favorite box of keto snacks always contains cucumbers, olives, ham, and cheese. Great combination for a snack, isn’t it?
Health Benefits of Cucumbers on Keto
Cucumber is 95% water, in which many valuable substances are dissolved in an easily digestible form, including potassium, magnesium, zinc, iodine, and silicon. In addition to water, cucumber contains fiber. It is beneficial for cleansing the body and nourishing the intestinal microflora. There are many vitamins in cucumber, for example, B1, which is necessary for the nervous system. Vitamin A prolongs youth and eye health, and vitamin C strengthens blood vessels and immunity. Let’s take a closer look at cucumbers’ health benefits.
Replenishing Water Lack
If you are not drinking enough liquid, eat a fresh cucumber or try cucumber detox water. It is 95% water, perfectly compensates for the body’s water balance, and helps preserve nutrients.
Getting Rid of Toxins
All the water in a cucumber works like a cleaner that removes all waste from your body. And with regular use, this vegetable is even able to dissolve small kidney stones.
Replenishing Your Daily Vitamin Supply
Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins that our body needs every day. Vitamins A, B, and C will strengthen your immune system and energize you. You can enhance this effect by mixing cucumber juice with spinach and carrots. Don’t forget to leave the peel. It contains a lot of vitamin C, about 12% of the RDA.
High Potassium Content
Potassium in the composition of cucumbers is of particular importance. This macronutrient is necessary for a healthy heart and blood vessels. It participates in the transmission of nerve impulses, regulating the heart rate, and normalizing blood pressure. Potassium is also needed to transmit nerve impulses in the brain and maintain the water-salt balance in the body.
Healthy Digestion and Weight Loss
Due to its high water content and low-calorie content, cucumber is an ideal food for those trying to lose weight. Besides, eating this vegetable daily will help with chronic constipation.
Cucumbers are considered an excellent snack. They stimulate the production of gastric juice, improve food digestion, and restore metabolism. Cucumbers are diuretic, choleretic, and mildly laxative. It is recommended to use them for edema.
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Tartronic acid in cucumbers is involved in carbohydrate metabolism and prevents the formation of fat deposits. It inhibits the processing of excess carbohydrates into fat cells.
High Antioxidant Content
Cucumber peel also contains many valuable substances. For example, alkaloids and antioxidants protect the brain, including Alzheimer’s disease. The peel also contains lignans. These are phytoestrogens, similar to female sex hormones that protect the body from cancer development. Besides, there are also triterpene and cucurbitacin – powerful active substances.
Decreasing Swelling
Place cucumber slices over puffy eyes and make sure this popular method works. However, it helps your body get rid of excess fluid from the inside. Cucumber helps to decrease puffiness and get rid of bags under the eyes due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Decreasing Possibility of Cancer
Cucumber contains secoisolariciresinol, lariciresinol and pinoresinol. These three compounds are lignans. They can reduce the risk of certain cancers, including ovarian, breast, prostate, and uterine cancers.
Help with Various Diseases
Cucumber juice contains a hormone that the pancreas cells need to make insulin. In addition, studies have shown that the so-called sterols found in cucumber help lower blood cholesterol levels. In addition, fiber, potassium, and magnesium contained in it effectively regulate blood pressure – both high and low.
Maintaining Joint Health
Rich in silicon, cucumber strengthens connective tissue and helps keep joints healthy. By mixing cucumbers with carrot juice, you can reduce gout and arthritis pain by lowering uric acid levels.
Hangover Relief
In order not to suffer from headaches and hangovers in the morning, eat a few slices of cucumber before going to bed. It contains enough B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish the body’s supply of nutrients and relieve severe intoxication and headaches.
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Besides, we have already mentioned that asparagus also helps with alcohol intoxication. Consider mixing these two vegetables for dinner with a glass of spirits.
Conclusion
Cucumber is another great vegetable to add to your daily keto menu. And, since cucumber is keto, it means that you don’t have to accurately calculate the carbohydrates in its composition because there are very few of them.
In addition to its dietary properties, cucumber has many health benefits. So chop it up on your plate, add healthy fats, and enjoy a keto snack!
