The ketogenic diet has become incredibly popular in recent years due to its numerous health benefits. This high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet has been shown to help with weight loss, lower blood sugar levels, and improve overall health. However, as with any diet, it’s important to know what foods and drinks are acceptable when following the ketogenic diet. One of the most common questions people ask is whether or not they can drink green tea on keto.
What is the Ketogenic Diet?
Before we delve into whether or not you can drink green tea on the ketogenic diet, let’s review what the keto diet is. The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, moderate protein, very low-carbohydrate diet that aims to put your body into ketosis. Simply put, ketosis is a metabolic state where your body burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. This occurs when you significantly reduce your carbohydrate intake and replace it with healthy fats. The keto diet has become popular because it is known to help with weight loss, increase energy levels, and improve cognitive performance.
What is Green Tea?
Green tea is a type of tea that is made from Camellia sinensis leaves and buds. It originated in China and has been consumed for thousands of years. The leaves and buds of the green tea plant are rich in antioxidants, including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which has been shown to have various health benefits.
Can I Drink Green Tea on Keto?
The short answer is yes, you can drink green tea on the ketogenic diet. In fact, green tea is one of the best teas to drink while practicing the keto diet. Not only does green tea naturally include a number of beneficial antioxidants, but it can also help in weight loss, increase lean body mass, and strengthen muscles.
One of the main reasons why green tea is great to drink on keto is because it is low in carbohydrates. One cup of green tea typically contains less than 1 gram of carbohydrates, making it a perfect drink for those on a low-carb diet.
Why is Green Tea Good for You?
Green tea is known for its numerous health benefits. For starters, it is packed with antioxidants which can help protect the body against cell damage. Green tea has also been shown to improve brain function, promote fat loss, and reduce the risk of certain cancers.
In terms of weight loss, green tea has been found to be effective in both increasing metabolism and helping the body burn fat. This is because of the catechins found in green tea, particularly EGCG, which has been shown to stimulate the body to burn more calories and fat.
Green tea has also been found to improve brain function and promote relaxation. The caffeine in green tea is known to improve cognitive performance in the short term and promote a feeling of alertness. Additionally, green tea contains an amino acid called L-theanine which has been found to promote relaxation and reduce stress levels.
How to Incorporate Green Tea into Your Keto Diet
If you’re looking to incorporate green tea into your keto diet, there are a number of ways to do so. One of the easiest ways to enjoy green tea on keto is to simply steep a tea bag in hot water and drink it plain. You can also add lemon or coconut oil to your green tea for added flavor and a boost of healthy fats.
Another great way to incorporate green tea into your keto diet is to make a matcha latte. Matcha is a type of green tea that is specially prepared by grinding green tea leaves into a fine powder. Matcha is great for keto because it is very low in carbs and high in antioxidants. To make a matcha latte, simply mix a tablespoon of matcha powder with hot water and add in a dash of almond milk and some sweetener like stevia or monk fruit.
Conclusion
Green tea is a great drink to enjoy while following the ketogenic diet. Not only is it low in carbohydrates, but it is also packed with antioxidants and has been shown to improve weight loss, brain function, and relaxation. Whether you prefer to drink it plain or as a latte, green tea is an excellent addition to any keto diet. So, go ahead and brew a cup of green tea and enjoy the numerous health benefits it has to offer!
If you’re looking for more information on the ketogenic diet, be sure to check out our other blog posts. And for those looking for keto-friendly meal ideas, be sure to check out our recipes page for some delicious and healthy keto meals.
FAQ
What tea can you drink on keto diet?
When it comes to following a keto diet, it is essential to keep a close eye on your carbohydrate intake. While on a ketogenic diet, the goal is to limit the number of carbohydrates to less than 50 grams per day, which can be quite challenging to achieve. However, choosing to drink tea instead of sugary beverages can be an excellent way to help reduce your carbs’ overall carbohydrate intake.
When it comes to choosing tea to drink on a keto diet, there are several options available. Many herbal teas, like green tea and chamomile tea, have almost no calorific content, making them perfect for keto diets. Alongside this, black tea is also fine for those who are on a keto diet. While black tea does contain caffeine, it contains no carbohydrates, making it an ideal replacement for sugary drinks.
One thing to watch out for when choosing tea on a keto diet is added ingredients, as some teas can contain additional flavors, sweeteners, or even milk or cream. It’s essential to check the carbohydrate content of any tea you choose to drink or opt for an unsweetened version of the tea.
Another great option for a low-carb tea is herbal tea blended with spices like ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric. These ingredients are not only delicious but also offer health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and boosting your immune system.
Choosing to drink tea instead of sugary beverages can be an excellent way to keep your carb intake low while still enjoying a delicious cup of tea. When choosing tea on a keto diet, it’s essential to opt for carbohydrate-free options such as green tea, chamomile tea, and black tea while avoiding added flavors, sweeteners, or dairy products. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy tea on a keto diet and stay on track with your carb limit goals.
Is green tea high in carbs?
Green tea is a popular beverage around the world, appreciated not only for its taste but also for its health benefits. However, like with any food item, people who are conscious about their carb intake may wonder if green tea is high in carbs. The answer is that green tea is not high in carbs, at least not in significant amounts that would affect your daily carb intake.
As per the USDA, a typical cup (240 mL) of brewed green tea contains around 2 calories and less than 1 gram of carbohydrates. The carbohydrate content in green tea doesn’t come from added sugar or flavorings, but from the natural compounds present in tea leaves, such as polysaccharides and fiber. These are beneficial to health, and they don’t have a significant impact on your carb count, making green tea a great option for people watching their carb intake.
Moreover, the Polyphenols present in green tea have been shown to have numerous health benefits, such as reducing inflammation, improving insulin sensitivity, and reducing the risk of some chronic diseases, such as heart disease and type-2 diabetes.
While green tea is not carb-free, the amount of carbohydrates it contains is minimal, making green tea an excellent beverage option for people looking to control their carb intake. Besides, green tea provides numerous health benefits that outweigh any negligible amount of carbs it may have.
What teas are not keto?
When it comes to following the ketogenic diet, it’s essential to be mindful of everything you consume, including tea. While tea is known to be a healthy and refreshing beverage, not all teas are keto-friendly. Certain ingredients and additives in tea can add up quickly in carbs, which can knock you out of ketosis.
One of the first things you need to avoid while being on keto are ready-to-drink teas, which are usually loaded with added sugars, preservatives, and other ingredients. These teas come in a bottle, can, or tetra pack and are readily available at most supermarkets. They might be convenient, but they can derail your keto progress.
Instant teas, another type of tea to avoid on keto, are commonly found in packets that are mixed with water or milk. Since they come with added sugar, milk powder, and other forms of carbohydrates, they are not a good option to include in your diet if you are aiming to be in ketosis.
Commercial iced teas can also be avoided on keto, as they often contain high fructose corn syrup and other artificial sweeteners in large amounts. Even though they seem like a refreshing choice on hot days, these sugary drinks are not doing your metabolic health any favors.
Most flavored teas have added sugars and preservatives that break ketosis. Hence, teas like regular milk tea, chai, bubble tea, and any flavored tea with added sugar like cinnamon or honey are not viable for a ketogenic diet. Regular English Breakfast tea with sugar and milk, or any tea with sugars, is also counterproductive to the keto plan.
When on a ketogenic diet, it is essential to read the ingredients of your tea carefully and choose drinks that are unsweetened and unflavored. Opt for teas like green and black teas, including oolong, darjeeling, and earl grey, that have no added sugar or milk and can be a healthy beverage choice on your keto journey.
