What is the lowest carb fruit available? A definitive guide for keto and low-carb diets

December 15, 2025 •

4 min read

A half an avocado, weighing around 100g, contains a mere 1.8g of net carbs, making it a powerful contender for the lowest carb fruit available. This guide explores which fruits pack the most nutritional punch for the fewest carbohydrates, helping you navigate your dietary goals.

Quick Summary

This guide ranks fruits by net carbohydrate count, revealing surprising top contenders and practical advice. It details their nutritional benefits and offers actionable strategies for incorporating these low-carb options into ketogenic or other low-carb eating plans to maintain ketosis and optimize nutrition.

Key Points

Avocado leads net carbs: Due to its high fiber and healthy fat content, avocado consistently has the lowest net carb count among all fruits.
Berries are best in moderation: Raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries are excellent choices for low-carb diets when portion sizes are controlled.
Net carbs vs. total carbs: The key is to look at net carbs (total carbs minus fiber), as fiber doesn't affect blood sugar levels.
Water-rich fruits are lower carb: Watermelon and cantaloupe are hydrating and lower in carbohydrates per serving, though with less fiber than berries.
Tomatoes and olives are low-carb fruits: Though used in savory cooking, these are technically fruits with very low carb counts that fit well into low-carb meals.
Flavor with citrus: Lemon and lime juice can add flavor to dishes and drinks with minimal carbohydrates.
Pair fruit for stability: Pairing fruit with a protein or healthy fat can help prevent blood sugar spikes.

What are 'Net Carbs'? A Quick Guide

When evaluating a fruit for a low-carb diet, it is crucial to distinguish between total carbs and net carbs. Total carbohydrates represent all carbohydrates in a food, including sugars, starches, and fiber. However, dietary fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body cannot digest, so it does not raise blood sugar levels. The calculation for net carbs is simply: Total Carbs - Fiber = Net Carbs. Because of this calculation, the highest-fiber fruits often have the lowest net carb count, even if their total carb content seems higher at first glance. This is why avocados and some berries are excellent choices for a low-carb diet, despite being commonly thought of as high-sugar foods.

The Top Lowest Carb Fruit Options

Several fruits are surprisingly low in net carbohydrates and can be safely incorporated into even a strict ketogenic diet. These choices offer essential nutrients and flavor without disrupting your low-carb goals.

Avocados: The Ultimate Low-Carb Fruit

Often mistaken for a vegetable due to its savory flavor, the avocado is botanically a large, single-seed berry. It consistently ranks as the lowest net carb fruit available, with a half-avocado (100g) containing only 1.8g of net carbs. Its high fiber content and abundance of healthy monounsaturated fats make it incredibly filling and beneficial for heart health. Avocados are also rich in vitamins C, K, potassium, and folate.

Berries: Tiny Powerhouses

While portion control is key, many berries are excellent low-carb options due to their high fiber and antioxidant content.

Raspberries: A half-cup (60g) contains just 3g of net carbs, making them a fantastic choice. They are also high in vitamin C and fiber.
Blackberries: With 4g of net carbs per half-cup (70g), blackberries are another high-fiber berry that aids digestion.
Strawberries: A handful of strawberries (about eight medium-sized) offers around 6g of net carbs and a significant boost of vitamin C.

Watermelon: A Hydrating Option

This quintessential summer fruit is low in total carbohydrates per 100g and extremely hydrating due to its high water content. While its fiber content is lower than that of berries, a small portion can be enjoyed without a major impact on your carb count. A 100g serving contains approximately 7.5g of carbs.

Lemons and Limes: Flavor Without the Carbs

Citrus fruits like lemons and limes are extremely low in carbs, especially when used for their juice and zest. A single lemon contains very few carbs while providing a powerful dose of vitamin C. A squeeze of lemon or lime can add significant flavor to meals and drinks with minimal carb impact.

Olives and Tomatoes: Savory Fruits

Most people consider olives and tomatoes to be vegetables, but they are botanically classified as fruits. Both are very low in carbohydrates and rich in antioxidants and healthy fats, making them perfect additions to savory low-carb dishes.

Low-Carb Fruits Comparison Table (per 100g)

To help you make informed choices, here is a breakdown of several low-carb fruits based on nutritional data.


Fruit	Total Carbs (g)	Fiber (g)	Net Carbs (g)	Key Nutrients
Avocado	8.5	6.7	1.8	Healthy Fats, K, Folate
Blackberries	9.6	5.3	4.3	Vit C, K, Mn
Raspberries	11.9	6.5	5.4	Fiber, Vit C, K, E, B5
Strawberries	7.7	2.0	5.7	High Vit C, Antioxidants
Lemon Juice	6.5	0.3	6.2	High Vit C
Watermelon	7.5	0.4	7.1	Vit A, C, Lycopene
Tomatoes	3.9	1.2	2.7	Lycopene, Vit C
Olives	6.0	3.2	2.8	Healthy Fats, Vit E

Practical Ways to Add Low-Carb Fruits to Your Diet

Including fruit in your low-carb diet can feel challenging, but these simple strategies can help you enjoy their benefits without derailing your progress.

Incorporate into meals:

Avocado Toast (Low-Carb Version): Mash avocado on low-carb toast or use it as a creamy base for salads and wraps.
Berry Toppings: Add fresh berries to unsweetened Greek yogurt, chia pudding, or low-carb pancakes for a burst of flavor.
Flavoring Water: Squeeze lemon or lime juice into your water for a refreshing, low-carb drink.
Salad Ingredients: Toss tomatoes, olives, and berries into salads for extra nutrients and taste.

Create smart snacks:

Berry and Nut Mix: A handful of berries combined with nuts like almonds or pecans makes for a satisfying and fiber-rich snack.
Avocado Slices: Sprinkle plain avocado slices with salt and pepper, or a pinch of chili flakes, for a quick and easy snack.

Conclusion: Making Smart Choices for Nutritional Balance

While many fruits contain natural sugars, low-carb options like avocados, berries, and melons can be valuable additions to a healthy diet. Avocado stands out with the lowest net carb count, primarily due to its high fiber and healthy fat content, followed closely by berries. By understanding the concept of net carbs and practicing portion control, you can enjoy the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that fruit provides while staying on track with your dietary goals. Balancing your fruit intake with lean protein and healthy fats, as dietitians suggest, can help manage blood sugar and increase satiety, ensuring you reap the maximum health benefits from your food.

The Power of Avocado: An Authoritative Link

For more in-depth information on avocados and their nutritional benefits, refer to Harvard University's comprehensive overview: The Nutrition Source.

Frequently Asked Questions

While many sources mention berries, the avocado is typically considered the fruit with the lowest net carbs due to its high fiber content. A 100g serving of avocado has only 1.8g of net carbs, placing it at the very top of the list.

Most berries like raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries are relatively low in net carbs and can be enjoyed in moderation on a low-carb diet. However, portions should be monitored, as berries do contain natural sugars that contribute to your overall carb intake.

Although used culinarily as a vegetable in savory dishes, a botanist would classify the avocado as a large, single-seed berry, and thus, a fruit.

Total carbs are all the carbohydrates in a food, including fiber. Net carbs are calculated by subtracting the grams of fiber from the total carbs, as fiber is indigestible and does not raise blood sugar.

Yes, you can have fruit on a keto diet, but it must be consumed in small portions and chosen carefully to stay within your daily carb limits, often 20-50g. Low-carb options like avocados and specific berries are best.

Add berries to yogurt or smoothies, include tomatoes and olives in salads, use avocado in wraps or as a savory snack, and flavor water or sauces with lemon or lime juice.

Fruits that are high in sugar and carbs should be avoided on a strict low-carb diet, including bananas, apples, grapes, pears, and pineapple.

Watermelon is a good choice for moderate low-carb diets because of its high water content, which is hydrating and low in calories. However, it is lower in fiber than berries, so intake should be monitored.