What is the lowest carb fruit you can eat? A Guide to Low-Carb Fruits

November 6, 2025 •

4 min read

While many assume fruit is off-limits on a low-carb diet due to sugar content, some options are surprisingly low in carbohydrates. To help clarify, this guide explores what is the lowest carb fruit you can eat, focusing on nutrient-dense options that fit into a low-carb or ketogenic lifestyle.

Quick Summary

This guide identifies the lowest-carb fruits, highlighting avocado for its minimal net carbs. It also covers low-sugar berries and other low-carb fruits, explaining how to incorporate them into a healthy diet.

Key Points

Avocado is King: Avocado is the lowest-carb fruit available, with a net carb count often less than 2 grams per serving due to high fiber content.
Berries are Best: Berries like blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries are excellent low-carb choices, packed with fiber and antioxidants.
Consider Net Carbs: Focus on net carbs (total carbs minus fiber) to determine if a fruit is low-carb, as fiber does not significantly impact blood sugar levels.
Don't Fear Fruit: Not all fruit is off-limits on a low-carb diet; smart choices and portion control are key to incorporating them healthily.
Incorporate Creatively: Low-carb fruits can be used in smoothies, salads, or as toppings for yogurt to add nutrients without a high carb load.
Be Aware of Portions: Even low-carb fruits can add up, so practice moderation to stay within your daily carb limits, especially on a strict keto diet.

Understanding Net Carbs in Fruit

When evaluating a fruit for a low-carb diet, the most important metric is net carbs, which is calculated by subtracting the fiber content from the total carbohydrates. Fiber is a non-digestible carbohydrate, meaning it does not impact blood sugar levels in the same way as sugar, and it helps create a feeling of fullness. This is why fruits with high fiber content often have a much lower net carb count than their total carb count might suggest. For those on a ketogenic diet, which typically restricts daily carb intake to 20-50 grams, being mindful of net carbs is essential for staying in ketosis.

The Champion of Lowest-Carb Fruits: The Avocado

Contrary to its culinary use, the avocado is botanically a single-seeded berry and is hands-down the winner for the lowest-carb fruit. A typical 100-gram serving of avocado (about half a medium avocado) contains roughly 8.5 grams of total carbohydrates, but with nearly 7 grams of that being fiber, the net carb count is exceptionally low, often around 1.5 grams. This makes avocados one of the most keto-friendly fruits available and a powerhouse of nutrition.

Nutritional benefits of avocado

Beyond its low carb profile, the avocado is packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, particularly oleic acid, which helps with nutrient absorption and provides sustained energy. It is also rich in essential nutrients, including:

Potassium (more than a banana)
Vitamin K
Folate
Vitamin C
Vitamin B6
Vitamin E

Its high fiber and fat content also contribute to a feeling of satiety, which can support weight management efforts by reducing overall caloric intake.

Berries: Small but Mighty Low-Carb Options

Berries are another excellent choice for low-carb enthusiasts. They are generally lower in carbs and higher in fiber than many other fruits, making them a great way to satisfy a sweet craving while keeping carb counts in check.

Blackberries: With a high fiber content (nearly 8 grams per cup), blackberries offer a low net carb count, often around 6 grams per cup. They are also rich in antioxidants and vitamins C and K.
Raspberries: A cup of raspberries contains about 7 grams of net carbs and provides a significant boost of fiber, vitamin C, and manganese. They are a perfect addition to yogurt or smoothies.
Strawberries: A cup of sliced strawberries has a net carb count of about 9 grams. They are also an excellent source of vitamin C and other antioxidants.

Other Unexpectedly Low-Carb Fruits

Several other items often used as vegetables are botanically classified as fruits and are very low in carbohydrates, making them ideal for a low-carb diet.

Rhubarb: Technically a vegetable but used as a fruit, stewed rhubarb (without added sugar) is exceptionally low in carbs, with only about 0.7 grams per 100 grams. It’s a good source of vitamin K and antioxidants.
Tomatoes: A cup of cherry tomatoes has a net carb count of around 4 grams. Tomatoes are also rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant.
Lemons and Limes: While not eaten whole, the juice of lemons and limes adds flavor to dishes and drinks with minimal carbohydrates. The juice from one lemon contains only about 3 grams of carbs.
Olives: As a fatty fruit, olives have a very low carb count, providing healthy unsaturated fats, iron, and vitamin E.
Cantaloupe: This melon has a net carb count of about 11.4 grams per cup and provides vitamins A and C. It is particularly refreshing due to its high water content.

How to Incorporate Low-Carb Fruits into Your Diet

Successfully adding low-carb fruits into your eating plan involves mindful preparation and portion control. Here are a few ways to make it work:

Snack on them: Enjoy a small bowl of mixed berries, or have a few olives on their own.
Add to salads: Top a savory salad with sliced avocado or cherry tomatoes for extra flavor and nutrients.
Use in smoothies: For a creamy, keto-friendly smoothie, blend avocado with unsweetened almond milk and a few berries.
Create simple desserts: Mix berries with full-fat Greek yogurt or unsweetened shredded coconut for a satisfying dessert.
Garnish dishes: Use lemon or lime juice to add zest to fish, chicken, or salad dressings.

Comparison of Low-Carb vs. High-Carb Fruits

To illustrate the difference, this table compares the net carb content per 100 grams of several popular fruits.


Fruit (per 100g)	Total Carbs (g)	Fiber (g)	Net Carbs (g)	Suitable for Low-Carb?
Avocado	8.5	6.7	1.8	Yes
Rhubarb (stewed)	1.8	1.1	0.7	Yes
Raspberries	11.9	6.5	5.4	Yes
Blackberries	9.6	5.3	4.3	Yes
Strawberries	7.7	2.0	5.7	Yes
Banana	27	3.1	23.9	No (high)
Grapes	18.1	0.9	17.2	No (high)
Apple	13.8	2.4	11.4	Moderate/Small Portions

Debunking Fruit Myths on a Low-Carb Diet

There is a common misconception that all fruit is forbidden on a low-carb diet. This belief is inaccurate and can lead to missing out on important nutrients. The truth is that not all fruits are the same when it comes to carbohydrate content. Whole fruits contain natural sugars alongside fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, which is fundamentally different from the processed sugars found in candies and baked goods. The fiber in whole fruits helps to slow down the absorption of sugar, preventing the rapid blood sugar spikes associated with processed sweets. A balanced approach involves choosing low-carb, high-fiber fruits and practicing moderation, rather than eliminating them entirely.

Conclusion

While many fruits contain natural sugars that can impact a low-carb diet, smart choices make it possible to enjoy them and reap their nutritional benefits. The avocado stands out as the ultimate lowest-carb fruit due to its minimal net carb count and wealth of healthy fats and nutrients. Berries are another highly valuable option, offering antioxidants and fiber for a relatively low carb cost. By focusing on these low-carb fruits and incorporating them with mindfulness and portion control, you can maintain your dietary goals while enjoying a wide variety of delicious and healthy foods. Always remember to consider total daily carb intake and consult a healthcare provider or dietitian for personalized advice.

To learn more about the ketogenic diet, visit the Diet Doctor guide to low-carb fruits: Low-Carb Fruits and Berries – the Best and the Worst.

Frequently Asked Questions

Avocado has the absolute lowest net carbs of any fruit. A 100-gram serving typically has less than 2 grams of net carbs after accounting for its high fiber content.

Yes, berries are a great choice for a keto diet when consumed in moderation. Options like raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries have a relatively low net carb count compared to other fruits.

Yes, tomatoes are technically a fruit and are considered low-carb. A cup of cherry tomatoes, for example, contains a net carb count of about 4 grams, making them suitable for low-carb diets.

To calculate net carbs, you subtract the grams of dietary fiber from the total grams of carbohydrates listed on the nutrition label. This gives you the amount of carbs that will impact your blood sugar.

On a strict low-carb diet, you should avoid or limit high-sugar and high-carb fruits. These include bananas, grapes, mangoes, pineapples, and dried fruits like raisins and prunes.

Yes, some low-carb fruits can be high in calories, particularly those with a high-fat content like avocados and olives. However, the calories often come from healthy fats and fiber that aid in satiety and nutrient absorption.

Fruit smoothies can be compatible with a low-carb diet if made with low-carb ingredients. Using berries, avocado, and unsweetened almond or coconut milk is a good strategy to keep the carb count low.

Rhubarb, while a vegetable, is commonly used in sweet applications like fruit. It is ultra-low in carbohydrates, with stewed rhubarb containing less than a gram of carbs per 100 grams if prepared without added sugar.