Is Cabbage Keto Friendly? How Many Carbs in Cabbage?

If you’re wondering “is cabbage keto friendly?” here’s the quick answer: Yes, you can eat cabbage on a keto diet.

In fact, cabbage is so low in carbs that you can eat several cups without interfering with ketosis.

However, if you want to know exactly how cabbage affects ketosis, continue reading! Below, I’ll let you know the nutritional information of cabbage, which type of cabbage is best for keto and how you can prepare yummy low-carb cabbage recipes in less than 10 minutes.

Is Cabbage Keto Friendly?

KetoConnect verdict: We give cabbage a keto-friendly rating of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(out of 5)

Cabbage is 100 percent keto friendly because it’s super low-carb. One cup of shredded raw cabbage contains 4grams of carbs and 2grams of fiber, giving it a count of just 2 grams of net carbs!

In addition to being keto friendly, cabbage is also low in calories, with one cup containing just 17 calories. 

This makes it a good option if you’re looking to lose weight. You can eat cabbage with any main keto dish, such as keto salisbury steak, grilled chicken, salmon, white fish or pork chops. The high-fiber nature of cabbage also fills you up quickly, which is a nice bonus.

Can I Eat as Much Cabbage as I Want on Keto?

Some foods are keto friendly, but if you eat them in large quantities, it can potentially interfere with ketosis. 

Cabbage isn’t one of those foods. Cabbage won’t kick you out of ketosis, regardless of how much you eat.

For example, let’s say you’re a big fan of cabbage and manage to chug down 10 cups in one go. Since a cup of cabbage has two grams of net carbs, you’ll only consume 20 grams of carbs.

The only realistic way cabbage can harm ketosis is if you’re juicing it and drinking liters every day.

Nutritional Facts of Cabbage

A serving or one cup of cabbage contains the following macro and micronutrients:

• Four grams of total carbs
• Two grams of net carbs
• 17 calories
• One gram of protein
• 0.1 grams of fat

Cabbage is also surprisingly nutrient-dense, offering your body 42 percent of its vitamin C needs and trace amounts of iron, vitamin B6 and magnesium. 

How Many Carbs Are in a Bowl of Cabbage?

One bowl of cabbage (89 grams) contains four grams of total carbs, and two grams of fiber, resulting in a net carb count of two grams. This low carb count means you can eat unlimited cabbage without being knocked out of ketosis.

So if you’re a lover of cabbage, you’ll be glad to know you can eat as much as you want. Feel free to make cabbage soup or add it to a keto chicken stir fry.

Does Cabbage Have Bad Carbs?

A cup of shredded cabbage has two grams of sugar. As we discussed in our deep dive into sugar and the keto diet, sugar is generally considered “bad carbs” because it spikes your blood sugar levels quickly. 

However, this isn’t a concern because the amount of sugar in cabbage is so small that there’s no significant danger.

Types of Cabbage

Which Cabbage Is Best for Keto?

Although red and green cabbage contain the same amount of carbs, shredded red cabbage is more nutrient dense. It has more total antioxidants and does a better job of protecting you from stress.

Which Cabbage Has the Lowest Carbs?

Napa cabbage is the cabbage with the lowest carb content. Also known as Chinese cabbage, Napa cabbage only has 1.5 grams of net carbs per cup.

Is Red Cabbage Keto?

Red cabbage contains two grams of net carbs per cup, so you can eat as much as you want without interfering with ketosis.

Is Raw Cabbage Low Carb?

Cooked cabbage has slightly more carbs than raw cabbage, making raw cabbage a better option on keto. Raw cabbage has 2 net grams of carbs, while fried and boiled cabbage contains 5.4 grams of net carbs.

Keto Cabbage Recipes

These are my two favorite keto cabbage recipes. They are yummy and only take a few minutes to prepare.

Keto Coleslaw

You only need four ingredients to make this delicious keto coleslaw. Just put them all into a large bowl and mix well with a pair of tongs. Then store in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving.

Keto Egg Roll in a Bowl

Traditional egg rolls aren’t keto, but this amazing keto-friendly egg roll recipe sure is! Whipping up this bad boy shouldn’t take longer than 10 minutes, so you can eat it for dinner or even a late-night snack.

Keto Friendly Alternatives to Cabbage

If you’re looking to spice up your low-carb diet with cabbage alternatives, opt for:

• Brussel sprouts with 9g of carbs per 100g
• Green Swiss chard with 3.7g per 100g
• Kale with almost 1g of carbs per 100g
• Broccoli with 7g of carbs per 100g
• Cauliflower with 5g of carbs per 100g

Final Thoughts on Cabbage for the Keto Diet

Many cabbage lovers starting a low carb diet wonder “is cabbage keto?” And I’m pleased to tell you it totally is!

A cup of chopped raw green cabbage contains two grams of net carbs per serving, so you don’t have to restrict your consumption.

So feel free to whip up tasty recipes like coleslaw, egg roll in a bowl, keto southern fried cabbage and keto cabbage hash browns.

And if you’re looking to spice up your ketogenic diet, consider adding some cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, bok choy, kale or brussel sprouts. If you mainly eat green cabbage, you can also throw in some raw red cabbage or shredded Napa cabbage.

Is Cabbage Keto FAQs

Which Cabbage Is Best for Keto?

Green and purple cabbage contain around the same amount of carbs, so you can enjoy both on keto. However, chopped raw red cabbage is slightly better because it’s more nutrient-dense, containing more vitamin A and iron.

How Much Cabbage Can I Eat on Keto?

You can add as much cabbage to your keto diet without worrying about being knocked out of ketosis. A serving of cabbage only has two grams of carbs, so you can eat several cups and still be safe.

Does Cabbage Have Bad Carbs?

Cabbage has two grams of sugar per serving. However, it’s nothing to worry about since the amount is so small. Also, the high fiber content can help counteract the downsides of sugar.

Do You Count Cabbage Carbs on Keto?

There’s no harm in counting the carbs in your cabbage if you’re on a strict keto diet. However, if you’re a bit more flexible, don’t stress about the carbs in cabbage because the amount is so low.

Does Cooked Cabbage Have Many Carbs?

Cooked cabbage has slightly more carbs than raw cabbage, clocking in at 5.4 grams per cup. Although it’s higher than raw cabbage’s carb count of two grams, it’s still not enough to interfere with ketosis.

Which Other Vegetables Are Best for Keto?

Any cruciferous vegetable like spinach, kale, cucumber, lettuce and broccoli is a good option on keto. Other vegetables such as tomatoes, bell peppers and mushrooms are very keto friendly too. But avoid starchy vegetables like potatoes because even a little has enough carbs to kick you out of ketosis.

What Veggies Are Unlimited on Keto?

Cabbages, mushrooms, spinach, kale and most green vegetables are unlimited on keto. The carb content is typically less than 5 grams per serving, so you’ll have to eat upwards of 15 servings before it hampers ketosis.

Written by

Expert Fact Checker