Cantaloupe goes by many names. It is called rockmelon, spanspek, or sweet melon. This fruit is also a variety of muskmelon.
Cantaloupe is highly refreshing, nutritional, and contains electrolytes. It comes packed with nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants that protect the cell from damage caused by free radicals.
Unfortunately, once you’re on a keto diet, you must assess the nutritional value of everything that goes into your stomach. You also have to avoid foods with high carbs and set a daily carb limit to maintain ketosis.
Now, here’s the thing. Cantaloupe is a fruit packed with plenty of healthy stuff but is it keto-friendly? That’s the question.
Now, here’s what you need to know.
Is cantaloupe keto?
Cantaloupe isn’t keto-friendly, but that doesn’t mean you cannot incorporate the fruit into your keto diet.
If you can allocate your carb intake adequately, you can incorporate cantaloupe in your keto diet plan. Consuming a moderate amount, probably a slice of this fruit won’t get you out of ketosis.
By the way, the net carb of a slice of cantaloupe is 8 grams, while the daily net carb required on a keto diet is 30 g. But you can still increase it to 40 g.
Now, here’s the thing. If you can manage your carb intake so it doesn’t exceed 30g or 40 g daily, you won’t have an issue incorporating cantaloupe in your diet plan.
On the other hand, don’t forget other keto-friendly fruits exist. So if you are desperate to incorporate fruits in your keto diet plan, you might consider the keto-friendly ones. Examples include avocado, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries.
Excitingly, many years of research trying to proffer a solution to challenges associated with weight loss has led to the development of one of the fastest and natural fat smasher, called “Raspberry Ketone Max.”
This supplement contains natural ingredients and can help your body lose weight naturally. But as you already know, taking supplements without necessary lifestyle changes can slow down one’s progress.
So, while taking Raspberry Ketone Max, adhere strictly to your diet plan, exercise regularly, and drink plenty of water. Do these and watch your body lose weight faster than you can imagine.
Can You Consume Cantaloupe On A Keto Diet?
You can eat cantaloupe on a keto diet. There’s nothing wrong with that. But if you plan to get your daily carbs from other sources, consuming cantaloupe in excess would be a bad idea.
A slice of this fruit contains 8 grams of carbs, which is moderate-high. Don’t forget you’ll obtain carbs from other foods you’ll consume before the end of the day.
So, making sure you don’t eat much cantaloupe at a go is a wise decision.
Now, here are reasons to limit cantaloupe consumption.
#1: Cantaloupe is high in net carb:
Assuming your net daily carb intake to maintain ketosis is 20 g. And a slice of cantaloupe offers 8 g carb. In this case, limiting the fruit’s consumption is a wise step. Otherwise, you might jeopardize all the efforts you have put into losing weight.
#2: Cantaloupe is low in fat:
Fat is crucial in any keto diet plan. The macronutrient ratio considered ideal in a keto diet plan is 5 – 10 percent carb, 20 – 25 percent protein, and 75 percent fat.
Unfortunately, cantaloupe boasts high carb but low fat, which is the opposite of the macros required in keto.
From the macronutrient ratio, you can see that most foods consumed daily should have low carb and high fat. But cantaloupe doesn’t have that.
So, if you don’t want to get out of ketosis, only consume cantaloupe in moderation or avoid it.
A Handy Tip: ghee, avocado, and salmon boast high fat and low carb, making them a wise choice for people on the keto diet.
Is Cantaloupe Beneficial For Weight Loss?
Firstly, let’s address claims of cantaloupe being a fat burner. There’s no such thing. If you’re seeking a faster and natural fat burner, the Raspberry Ketone Max supplement is a smarter, quicker and healthier choice.
Cantaloupe boasts high fiber and, therefore, can make you feel fuller. Thus, it can help you ditch unhealthy snacks capable of jeopardizing your efforts to maintain ketosis. So, eating cantaloupe in moderation is the right step to take.
Cantaloupe can also hydrate, as it comes packed with electrolytes. These minerals help balance the body’s fluid, causing it to function right.
In a nutshell, this fruit can help you feel fuller, and discourage you from eating unhealthy snacks or overeating. But the high carb it contains means it won’t have much impact on your weight loss journey.
In plain terms, cantaloupe isn’t going to help you lose weight. It’s the direct opposite. It contains high carb, which contributes to weight gain.
A Handy Tip: One whole medium-sized cantaloupe contains 48 grams of carbs. However, the net carb present in cantaloupe is 43.6 grams, given its fiber content.
A cup of cantaloupe contains 13.6 grams of carbs, while its net total is 12.4 grams.
In one large slice of cantaloupe, the total carbs are 8.9 grams, while the net carb is 8 grams.
Understand that net carbs and total carbs are two different things. Net carbs don’t take into account some sugar alcohols or fibers. Why? Your body doesn’t digest them; thus, they don’t affect blood sugar levels.
How You Can Store Cantaloupe
Fruits are highly perishable products. But how you store them can determine how long they would stay fresh or eatable.
How you store cantaloupe depends on the fruit’s state. Are you storing the whole fruit (uncut) or one that has been sliced (cut)?
Let’s discuss how to store your cantaloupe both whole and sliced.
#1: Storing a whole cantaloupe:
It takes 2 to 3 days for cantaloupe to ripen. And once it matures, it can stay fresh for another 3 to 4 days, particularly during the winter.
Will a whole (uncut) cantaloupe last long during the rainy season and summer? No. Winter is when cantaloupe tends to remain fresh for an extended period.
Moreover, higher humidity can help a ripe cantaloupe stay fresh for an extended period. So, store cantaloupe fruit in the refrigerator’s crisper to enhance its lifespan.
But remember that unripe cantaloupe stored in the refrigerator can stay fresh for over two weeks.
#2: Storing cut cantaloupe:
Even if you’re not on a keto diet, you can’t possibly finish a whole cantaloupe. You may only consume a fraction of the fruit, probably a slice.
The only issue with storing sliced cantaloupe is that its lifespan reduces. A whole cantaloupe can stay fresh longer than the cut one.
If stored properly, cut cantaloupe can stay fresh for 1 – 2 days.
Now, how do you store cut cantaloupe? First, wash the pieces of fruit in running water, and remove excess moisture using blotting paper or a clean towel.
The next step is to peel the fruits and have each cut covered with clean paper before you place them in the freezer. By doing so, you’ll prevent a fungal infection from starting too early.
Conclusion
Is cantaloupe keto? Cantaloupe isn’t keto-friendly. Why? The amount of carbs it has is on the high side, and it boasts a small amount of fat. The total carb in a whole medium-size cantaloupe is 48 grams, though it’s not easy to consume a whole cantaloupe at a go.
However, a slice of cantaloupe contains 8 grams of carbs. So, if your daily carb intake is 20 or 30 grams, you can still incorporate cantaloupe in your diet plan. But you have to consume the fruit in a moderate amount.
