If you are following a keto diet, then you are probably always looking for new and exciting things that you can eat and drink without breaking your diet.
One thing that you might fancy giving a try is coconut water, although before you do so, you will likely want to know if it is keto-friendly.
In this guide, we’ll be taking a look at what coconut water is, what the benefits of it are, and whether, or not, you can drink coconut water as part of a keto diet.
So if you want to find out more, keep on reading!
What Is Coconut Water?
First things first, let’s take a look at what coconut water is. As the name suggests, coconut water is water that comes from coconuts.
Coconuts are filled with a clear liquid, just like water, that is filled with nutrients and flavor from the coconut itself.
It is this liquid that is harvested to become the coconut water that you drink.
Coconut water is only found inside young coconuts as the water solidifies into a pulp later on in the coconut’s development.
The water itself is filled with nutrients that are used by the coconut as it grows.
When coconuts are harvested early in their lifespan, then the nutrients from the coconut water can be used by those who drink it instead.
A lot of people get confused when it comes to coconut water, and think that coconut water is water that has been infused with the flavor of a coconut.
While there are some flavored waters out there that will use coconut flavoring, the majority of coconut water brands are brands that sell water harvested from coconuts.
The huge amount of nutrients found inside coconut water makes this water an incredibly healthy drink. But is it keto friendly? Let’s find out.
Is Coconut Water Keto?
A ketogenic diet is a diet that forces your body into ketosis by reducing the amount of carbohydrates that you consume, and increasing the fat.
In order for a ketogenic diet to work, you have to be consuming a very small amount of carbohydrates.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t eat carbohydrates, it simply means that you have to reduce the amount of carbohydrates that you consume significantly.
You might be wondering what this has to do with coconut water. Well, it is actually very important because coconut water isn’t actually keto-friendly.
This is because coconut water contains a substantial amount of carbohydrates.
However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t drink coconut water, it simply means that you must monitor the amount that you consume.
A glass of coconut water could use up to a third of your daily allowance of carbohydrates.
So, if you decide to drink a glass of coconut water, you will have to clearly monitor how many carbohydrates you consume for the rest of the day.
Otherwise you could damage the effectiveness of your keto-friendly diet.
How Much Coconut Water Should I Drink On Keto?
For many people, the fact that coconut water isn’t keto-friendly is enough to put them off drinking it.
But, coconut water has a lot of health benefits, which is why many people still choose to drink this when following a keto diet.
After all, just a small amount of this water allows you to access a lot of benefits. So, how much coconut water can you drink when following a keto diet?
When you are following a keto diet, you will be given a set amount of carbohydrates that you can consume.
For the majority of keto diets, this amount will be between 30 and 40 grams a day.
So, if you want to drink coconut water, you will have to ensure that you factor it into your daily allowance of carbohydrates.
A single glass of coconut water a day could take up a third of your daily allowance of carbohydrates.
So it is important to bear this in mind when you are deciding whether, or not, to drink it.
However, if you properly control your diet, and monitor your intake, then there likely will not be an issue with you consuming coconut water as part of your keto diet.
Benefits And Drawbacks Of Coconut Water
Now that we have established that you can drink coconut water when on a keto diet, as long as you factor it into your daily carbohydrate allowance, let’s take a look at why you might want to.
There are a long list of benefits to drinking coconut water, and this is why so many people are choosing to include this drink in their diet.
In particular, coconut water has a lot of health benefits, so let’s take a look at what they are.
The first major benefit of coconut water is that it is excellent at keeping you hydrated.
Regular water is excellent for hydration, obviously, but coconut water is even better because of the added nutrients in it.
If you find yourself dehydrated following a busy period or after sickness, then coconut water is great for revitalizing your body and quenching that thirst.
Coconut water also offers a whole host of health benefits. One of the main reasons why people drink this water is because it is excellent for your skin.
Coconut water is packed with vitamins and minerals that can revitalize your skin, and reduce acne – leaving you with clear, glowing skin.
It is also high in potassium which can reduce the amount of sodium in your body, which can lower blood pressure.
It has also been linked with reducing the risk of kidney stones because coconut water keeps you hydrated, and also supports a healthy, balanced diet.
So, it is clear to see why so many people who are following a keto diet also choose to consume coconut water to remain healthy.
Summary
In short, no coconut water is not keto-friendly as it is relatively high in carbohydrates.
However, it can be consumed as part of a keto diet if you factor it into your daily carbohydrate intake.
Thank you for reading!
