Keto Eggplant Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is eggplant good for a keto diet? ›

Eggplant is low in net carbs, high in fiber, and perfectly suitable for a keto diet. 100g of raw eggplant contains just 3g net carbs. And for the same amount of cooked eggplant, this rises to 6.5g net carbs.

Therefore, to cater for a slimming diet, bake eggplants instead of frying them. To bake a whole eggplant, first pierce the skin with a fork like a potato. After about 30 minutes in the oven, you can take the insides and stuff the eggplant, or mash the pulp into a soup, stew, or dip.

Soak eggplant slices or cubes in milk for about 30 minutes before cooking. The milk not only tempers the bitterness, but it actually makes for eggplant that is extra creamy, since the vegetable acts like a sponge and soaks up a good amount of milk in its flesh.

Yes, eggplant is keto-friendly, having a low-carb profile and an array of nutrients. Eggplant provides essential minerals like potassium and magnesium and vitamins like C, B-6, and K1, contributing to a balanced keto diet.

You do not have to limit vegetables if you are on the keto diet or are considering it. Plenty of low-carb vegetable options include arugula, asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, mushrooms, spinach, and tomatoes.

- Starchy Vegetables: Potatoes, peas, sweet potatoes, yams, corn, cassava, artichoke, etc. - Refined Carbs: Bread, pasta, pastries, tortilla, sandwich, etc. Due to the high-carb content of these food items, they are not keto-friendly.

When looking at the exterior of the eggplant, check the stem and cap. Both should be green and fresh-looking. If they are starting to fade in color, that's an indicator that the vegetable may be spoiling. You'll also want to toss the eggplant if there is any mold on the stem or cap.

Could Help With Weight Loss. Eggplants are high in fiber and low in calories, making them an excellent addition to any weight loss regimen. Fiber moves through the digestive tract slowly and can promote fullness and satiety , reducing calorie intake.

Aside from its green top, the entire eggplant is edible: its purple skin, its white flesh, and the tiny seeds inside. Eggplant contains protein, fiber, and a wide range of vitamins and minerals as well as some antioxidants. Eggplant should be cooked before eating.

First recorded in 1763, the word "eggplant" was originally applied to white cultivars, which look very much like hen's eggs (see image). Similar names are widespread in other languages, such as the Icelandic term eggaldin or the Welsh planhigyn ŵy.

What happens if you don't salt eggplant before cooking? ›

Older recipes call for salting eggplant to draw out the bitter juices, but today's eggplants are less bitter (unless very large), so salting is largely unnecessary. It will, however, help the spongy flesh absorb less oil and crisp up like a dream.

Many recipes call for eggplants to be salted and rinsed to draw out any bitter juices, but this shouldn't be necessary if they're fresh. If the seeds are too defined or feel hard, the eggplant may be old and should be salted.

Is eggplant keto? Eggplant is a fantastic, keto friendly vegetable that contains just 2 grams net carbs in a one cup serving. The beauty of this vegetable is that it works well in dishes if it is the stand out ingredient.

Keto fruits by definition are low in carbohydrates. You still need to exercise portion control with most keto-friendly fruits to be within the limits of a keto diet. Keto-friendly fruits include avocados, watermelon, strawberries, lemons, tomatoes, raspberries, peaches, cantaloupe, star fruit, and blackberries.

While hummus is suitable for the keto diet, you'll want to limit yourself to a small amount. Consider using it as a garnish rather than as a dip, and avoid dessert flavors. You may also want to consider other low carb dips and spreads, such as baba ganoush, pate, or black soybean hummus.

Potatoes and other starchy vegetables

While good sources of vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber, white and sweet potatoes ought to be avoided on the keto diet because of their high carb content ( 45 , 46 ). Other nutritious but high carb vegetables to limit include peas and corn ( 47 , 48 ).

Eggplant is a non-starchy vegetable, which is low in carbohydrates. For instance, an entire 1 pound eggplant has only 137 calories, 0.986 grams of fat and 32.2 grams of carbohydrate (less than two slices of bread), 16.4 grams of fiber, and 5.37 grams of protein.

Eggs are an incredibly low-carb food and contain only 1 gram of carbohydrates. A keto diet is typically restricted to 20 to 50 grams of carbohydrates daily. So, including 5 to 6 eggs daily won't significantly impact your daily carb intake.