Is Chocolate Paleo & Keto Friendly (2024)

Wondering if chocolate fits into your diet?

Generally, today’s most common diet plans give a positive nod to cocoa - after all, it’s made from cocoa seeds that are extracted from a fruit. Plus, natural cocoa and dark chocolate has proven to haveseveral health benefitsas shown in recent medical studies. Where things get more complicated is when cocoa is made into chocolate, which can have 5-15 other ingredients in the mix.

Is Chocolate Paleo & Keto Friendly (1)

Keto Friendly Chocolate

The aim of a ketogenic, or low-carb, diet is to achieve and maintain a state of ketosis, which means your body is rewired to burn fat for energy rather than glucose. Naturally, a keto diet is high in fat and low in carbohydrates. An acceptable amount of daily carbohydrates for keto can be anywhere between 20-100 grams per day.

Cocoa solids have little fat and no sugar, so it doesn’t really help you but it also doesn’t hurt you on a keto diet. On the other hand, cocoa butter, sugar, and milk found in most commercial chocolates can and likely will push you beyond the allotted amount of carbohydrates per day.

How to “Treat Yoself” to Chocolate on a Ketogenic Diet

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder or Nibs

You can have unsweetened cocoa powder. It’s 100% cocoa solids with no added sugar. Similarly, cocoa nibs are pure cocoa. Add these to a smoothie, salad, or other recipes.

100% Dark Chocolate

These chocolate bars contain only one ingredient - pure cacao. They are unsweetened and, unlike baking chocolate, tempered and meant for personal enjoyment. Keep in mind that100% dark chocolatecan be very bitter, but many craft chocolate makers offer a 100% bar that feature complex flavors and can be creamy to satisfy your chocolate cravings.

Ultra Dark Chocolate, At Least 80% or Higher

Dark chocolate typically includes only three ingredients - cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and sugar. This can be a sweet treat enjoyed in small amounts. Half an ounce of ultra dark chocolate can be about 5-8 grams of carbohydrates, mostly from sugar. Here are some of our favorite ultra dark keto friendly chocolates

Paleo Friendly Chocolate

The goal of the paleo diet is to eat the same foods that were available to people living during the Paleolithic era. The thought being that our bodies have not adequately adapted to the over processed foods that exist today, and so it wholly rejects any foods that resulted from farming and modern technology. A good rule to follow is anything that can be hunted and gathered is okay, which translates to lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.

Cocoa, and even chocolate, definitely fit within the bounds of paleo. The tricky part is processed sugars and milk do not. And the majority of commercial chocolate, including micro-batch craft chocolate, contains processed sugars. A general rule of thumb among Paleo dieters is the darker the chocolate, the better. Go for dark chocolate above 70% and even better above 85% cacao content. The more cacao % in a chocolate bar, the less sugar and other ingredients it will contain.

If you're hesitant to try chocolate that is above 85% cacao because you find it unpalatable or too bitter, do yourself a favor and try some high quality craft chocolate before you rule out allultra dark chocolate. Unlike industrial mass produced chocolate, dark chocolate from craft chocolate makers have a myriad of complex flavors and is both rich and delicious.

Alternatively, you can also look for chocolate bars that don't contain any cane sugar, and are sweetened with natural sweeteners. The more popular paleo alternatives for sugar are honey, maple syrup, maple sugar, and coconut sugar. Another great option is to use dried fruits like dates and raisins to sweeten things up.

Whole 30 Approved Chocolate

Whole 30 is an extremely strict diet that excludes all sugar, dairy, grains, alcohol, legumes, and treats. You can eat meat, seafood, eggs, and a moderate amount of fruit. You can also have natural fats, herbs, spices, and seasonings, as well as all the vegetables you want. The no sugar and no dairy policy limits your options to only natural cocoa.

What would Whole 30 purists say?

Technically, cocoa powder and cocoa butter are Whole 30 compliant, which means pure cocoa powder and 100% dark chocolate bars are allowed.

However, Whole 30 purists argue that one of the goals of this diet is to correct and permanently change your food decisions. Rather than reaching for sweet treats like chocolate to satisfy your hunger, Whole 30 breaks and replaces these habits with healthier choices that fit the natural needs of your body. Even when it comes to something as natural and bitter as cocoa powder, Whole 30 purists argue that cocoa will act as a stand-in for chocolate. These bad habits of reaching for sweet treats need to be cut off cold turkey, otherwise there is a high chance of relapse after the 30 days are up.

We’ll leave it up to you.

Chocolate While Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting is a popular method of fasting completely or significantly reducing your calories for a period of time followed by periods of eating normal. Proponents of this diet believe that extended fasting allows your body to perform important cellular functions as opposed to spending most of the day on the singular task of digesting food.

There are several ways to intermittent fast. For instance, you can alternate between days of fasting and days of eating normal. Other common approaches are to fast for two days a week while eating normal for the other five days, or only eat within a specific eight-hour window of time each day.

Whichever you prefer, intermittent fasting isn’t a diet that focuses on what you eat but rather when you eat.

That being the case, can you eat all the chocolate you want when you aren’t fasting?

The simple answer is yes. There are no restrictions to what you can eat on this diet. However, the point of intermittent fasting like any other diet is to be healthy and lose weight. To do this, making healthier cocoa choices and eating chocolate in moderation will be more effective.

What is chocolate

  • What Is Single Origin Chocolate
  • What Is Craft Chocolate
    • What is Bean to Bar Chocolate
    • What Is Tree To Bar Chocolate?
  • Types Of Chocolate
    • What Is 100% Dark Chocolate
    • The Best 100% Chocolate
    • What Is Raw Chocolate
  • Is Chocolate A Health Food
    • Is Chocolate Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Soy Free
    • Is All Chocolate Vegan
    • Lecithin in Chocolate
  • What Is Cacao or Cocoa
    • What Does Cacao Percentage Mean
    • Is Higher Percentage Cacao Healthier

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Is Chocolate Paleo & Keto Friendly (2024)

FAQs

Is Chocolate Paleo & Keto Friendly? ›

A good rule to follow is anything that can be hunted and gathered is okay, which translates to lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Cocoa, and even chocolate, definitely fit within the bounds of paleo. The tricky part is processed sugars and milk do not.

What chocolate can I eat on a keto diet? ›

Dark chocolate that is high in cocoa content (70% or above) and low in sugar is the best choice. Such chocolate has fewer carbs and more fibre compared to lower percentage cocoa chocolates, making it more suitable for a keto diet.

What happens if you eat a piece of chocolate on keto? ›

It's unlikely that a small piece of chocolate will kick you out of ketosis; however, this depends on the amount you eat. Chocolate with a high sugar content will significantly impact your blood sugar levels and insulin response, potentially affecting your ketosis.

Can you go into ketosis on a paleo diet? ›

People do not experience these symptoms with paleo diets, as paleo diets do not lead to a state of ketosis. Certain nutritional supplements can help people following the keto diet to get enough nutrients, ease side effects, and meet their daily macronutrient goals.

How do you satisfy chocolate cravings on keto diet? ›

Fat provides energy for your body and helps keep you feeling full and satisfied. By choosing low carb chocolate made with high-quality fats like coconut oil or cocoa butter, you can support your ketogenic lifestyle while enjoying a delicious treat.

Is peanut butter keto-friendly? ›

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

What sweets can you eat keto? ›

Healthline's picks of the best keto candies
  • SmartSweets Gummy Bears.
  • ChocZero White Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.
  • Lily's Dark Chocolate Covered Caramels.
  • Go Better Keto Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Butter Cups.
  • Stevita Naturals Hard Candy.
  • Cocomels Coconut Milk Caramels in Sea Salt.
  • Dr. ...
  • BHU Keto Truffle Fat Bombs.
Sep 18, 2020

Can I eat popcorn on keto? ›

Net carbs are calculated by taking the total grams of carbohydrate in a food and subtracting the amount of fiber. In this case, popcorn contains 6 grams of carbs per 1 cup serving and 1.2 grams of fiber, bringing the net carbs per serving to 4.8 grams. Yes friends, popcorn is indeed a keto food.

Can I eat cheese on keto? ›

All types of cheese are allowed on the keto diet, as cheese is relatively low in carbohydrate, which complies with the key principle of the keto diet. The Ketogenic diet or “keto” diet is a low carbohydrate and high fat eating plan.

What vegetables are not keto-friendly? ›

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 ).

Do you lose weight faster paleo or keto? ›

Both have proven effective for short-term weight loss, glucose control, and cholesterol and blood pressure reduction. But long-term studies are lacking. Many people find it difficult to keep up with either diet long-term, although paleo might be easier because it offers more flexibility.

What foods are both keto and paleo? ›

They emphasize meat for protein and recommend certain types of fats and vegetables. Both keto and paleo diets include seeds unprocessed meat, seafood, eggs and healthful fats such as olive oil, avocado oil, and nut oils as well as non-starchy vegetables.

Is it OK to have a cheat day on paleo? ›

You can follow Dr. Cordain's suggestion and eat 2 or 3 “cheat meals” each week, where you get to eat whatever you want for that meal. Some other advocates of Paleolithic nutrition suggest one whole cheat day every 1-2 weeks, where you eat whatever you want all day.

How to satisfy a sweet tooth on keto? ›

Incorporate keto-friendly fruits: While fruits are typically high in carbohydrates, there are some keto-friendly options like berries, avocados, and coconuts. These fruits can be used to make keto-friendly desserts like berry sorbet or avocado mousse.

Will a small piece of chocolate kick me out of ketosis? ›

It's unlikely that a small piece of chocolate will kick you out of ketosis; however, this depends on the amount you eat. Chocolate with a high sugar content will significantly impact your blood sugar levels and insulin response, potentially affecting your ketosis.

Can I eat chocolate and stay in ketosis? ›

Yes, you can eat chocolate on a keto diet, but it should ideally be dark chocolate with a high cocoa content (over 70%) and low in sugar. It's essential to consume it in moderation to stay within your daily carbohydrate limits. Always ensure to check the nutritional label before indulging.

Are any chocolate bars keto friendly? ›

With 100% keto approval and naturally occurring sugars only, Keto Munch's No Added Sugar Cream Keto Chocolate Bar provides a truly luxurious, low-carb chocolate experience. Savour chocolate excellence in each beautifully creamy, melt-in-your-mouth bite.

Is zero sugar chocolate OK for keto? ›

Dark chocolate with high cocoa content and low sugar is a better option for keto. Look for varieties with 70% cocoa or higher and minimal added sugars. Alternatively, consider sugar-free chocolate made with keto-friendly sweeteners like stevia or erythritol.

Can you eat Hershey's dark chocolate on keto? ›

As for the rest of the sweets and candies out there, these are high in carbs and should be avoided on a keto diet. In short, therefore, dark chocolate is suitable for a keto diet and the higher the cocoa solids content it contains, the better for you and your adherence to your diet.

What milk chocolate is keto friendly? ›

Lily's Creamy Milk Chocolate Bar

Lily's is the go-to gourmet keto chocolate maker for baking chips, and their creamy milk chocolate bar is right up there with the best of the best. Impossibly sweet and creamy with zero alternate sweetener aftertaste.

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