Why is almond flour high in carbohydrates and not suitable for the ketogenic diet?
I heard that eating high-carb foods can help with weight loss, and although almond flour is high in carbohydrates, it can still induce ketosis. Why is almond flour high in carbohydrates yet able to promote ketosis?
Doctor's answer (1)
The specific reasons why almond flour, despite its high carbohydrate content, can still be used in the ketogenic diet are as follows:
1. The ketogenic diet is a dietary approach characterized by high fat, moderate protein, and very low carbohydrate intake. Its goal is to induce the body into a state of ketosis, where it burns fat rather than carbohydrates for energy.
2. Although almond flour has a relatively high carbohydrate content—approximately 420 kcal of carbohydrates per 100 grams—it has a low glycemic index. This means it does not cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. Therefore, even after consuming a certain amount of almond flour, blood sugar levels remain largely unaffected, which helps maintain ketosis.
3. Almond flour mainly contains plant-based protein and fat, aligning well with the basic principles of the ketogenic diet. This diet promotes high fat, moderate protein, and low carbohydrate intake to induce the body into ketosis, using fat as the primary energy source rather than glucose.
