Carbs in Limes: Are They Keto?

Limes | Carbs | Keto | Lime Juice | Bottom Line | FAQ

Limes are a common ingredient and decoration of a wide variety of drinks. That is no coincidence after these citrus fruits are insanely refreshingly tart yet sweet.

Because of the sweetness, there is a legitimate question about whether limes suit low-carb and keto diets. In the end, there must be some carbohydrates hiding in them.

Are Limes Keto?

The lime is the little brother of the lemon. Limes are usually smaller than lemons and have a bright green color, while lemons are bright yellow.

In addition, limes are often less acidic and taste milder and sweeter, although they are interchangeable in many recipes.

But can limes and lime juice suit keto and other low-carb diets because of the carbohydrates?

To find out, we need to look closer at their nutritional values.

Carbs in Limes

Limes are citrus fruits. These tend to be poorer in carbohydrates. So is the lime not one of nature’s candies?

To find out, we need to look at their nutritional values.

How Many Carbohydrates Are in Limes?

100 grams of limes provide the following average nutritional values (*):

• Energy: 30 calories
• Protein: 0.7 grams
• Fat: 0.2 grams
• Carbohydrates: 10.5 grams
• Dietary fiber: 2.8 grams
• Net carbs: 7.7 grams

According to nutrition facts, carbohydrates predominate in limes. They are also free of fat and protein.

At first glance, limes are a high-carbohydrate, low-fat food. They have a fat-to-net carbohydrate ratio of 0.024.

However, 8 grams of net carbohydrates per 100 grams is manageable. Only lemon does just better among citrus fruits (*,*).

Are Limes Keto-Friendly?

Limes are suitable for keto in limited quantities.

Only 4-5 limes can throw you out of ketosis, as it contains about 20-25 grams of net carbohydrates.

An average lime has 5.2 grams of net carbohydrates (*).

However, few people eat large amounts of raw limes. The versatile lime is most commonly consumed as juice.

Carbs in Lime Juice

100 grams of freshly squeezed lime juice provides the following average nutritional values (*):

• Energy: 25 calories
• Protein: 0.4 grams
• Fat: 0.1 grams
• Carbohydrates: 8.8 grams
• Dietary fiber: 0.4 grams
• Net carbs: 8.0 grams

Is Lime Juice Keto?

You can enjoy lime juice in moderation on keto.

Lime juice is a fruit juice with amazingly low net carbs. You can drink up to one glass of freshly squeezed lime juice daily and stay in ketosis. Rarely drunken straight, lime juice can be a keto-friendly ingredient.

Still, lime juice is less suitable for the ketogenic diet than raw limes since juices lack protective fiber.

Fiber reduces the effects on blood glucose, insulin levels, and fat gain (Teff et al. 2004¹; Meijssen et al. 2001²; Chandalia et al. 2000³).

Are Limes and Their Juice Healthy?

100 grams of lime juice contains only 0.5 grams of sucrose plus about 0.6 grams each of glucose and fructose (*).

Sucrose is what we understand by table sugar. Ordinary sugar, in turn, consists of 50% glucose and 50% fructose.

Therefore, a glass of lime juice provides about 4.25 grams of table sugar, which is incredibly low for juices.

Limes are rich in vitamin C. Therefore, they help absorb iron better and synthesize collagen. As a result, they can also contribute to the health of your skin (Boyera et al. 2019⁴).

Despite Carbs, Limes Are Keto

The bottom line is that limes and lime juice are the healthiest fruits and fruit juice among keto foods.

Finally, they are versatile and are usually consumed in limited quantities. Therefore, they are one of the few fruits you can always have in your low-carb pantry.

Carbs in Limes: Keto FAQ

Does lime juice affect ketosis?

Since lime juice has carbs, it can affect ketosis.

How many net carbs are in one lime?

There are 5.2 net carbs in one lime.

Are limes OK for the keto diet?

Limes are one of the rare fruits allowed in a ketogenic diet.

How many carbs are in freshly squeezed lime?

In one glass of freshly squeezed lime juice are about 20 grams of net carbs.

Will lime juice kick you out of ketosis?

Up to one glass of freshly squeezed lime juice won’t kick you out of ketosis.