Very few “food trends” have exploded in popularity quite as quickly as the humble jackfruit. High in protein and packed with plenty of vitamins, jackfruit has recently become popular with vegetarians thanks to its meat-like consistency when cooked. But what about jackfruit for those eating low-carb or keto? In this article, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of eating jackfruit so you can decide for yourself if this tropical fruit deserves a spot in your kitchen.
What is jackfruit?
Jackfruit is a large fruit native to India, Southeast Asia, and South America. It resembles a large, prickly, green grapefruit when young. Jackfruit has been making headlines as an unprocessed and natural meat-alternative; many vegetarians describe the “meat” of the fruit as closely resembling the texture and consistency of pulled pork or chicken. The jackfruit is porous, meaning that it’s also particularly good at holding onto sauces, curries, and spices.
Ketogenic dieters and those who are eating low-carb will want to be careful when choosing their jackfruits, as there are two types of fruit typically available for purchase. Sweet ripe jackfruit (the kind most commonly available in Asian supermarkets) is bright orange in color—however, it contains more carbohydrates and sugars as it ripens. You’ll want to look for the bright green underripe “young” jackfruits; this type of fruit has the texture that vegetarians look for in a meat substitute, and fewer carbs and calories.
The benefits of eating jackfruit
Jackfruit can be a tasty meat alternative for vegetarians eating keto because the fruit is high in protein while also low in carbohydrates. However, the benefits of jackfruit don’t end with those who follow a plant-based diet. Jackfruit is a great source of fiber and vitamin C, which can contribute to healthy digestion and improved skin health. There is also some research that suggests that consuming jackfruit may be particularly beneficial to those managing diabetes. In one study, adults who consumed jackfruit extract after their meals showed significantly lower blood sugar levels.1 Another study found that jackfruit may have the potential to act as a long-term blood sugar regulator.2
Potential side effects
While jackfruit may come with a number of health and dietary benefits, there are still some drawbacks to its consumption. Because the jackfruit tree is native to Brazil, consumers who suffer from allergies to birch pollen should beware. Birch is a tree that is native to the area and fresh jackfruit shipments are often contaminated with pollen, which can cause a reaction. Additionally, it is recommended that men and women who suffer from chronic blood diseases talk to their doctor before adding jackfruit to their diet, as the fruit has been known to cause anticoagulation.3 Finally, some dieters may find the smell of the jackfruit (which has been described as “musky”) to be unappealing.
In conclusion, jackfruit can be a great addition to any keto-based diet—especially if you’re a vegetarian or vegan looking for a new source of protein. However, be careful to choose the right type of jackfruit…or you may be loading up on unexpected sugar!
NUTRITIONAL DISCLAIMER
The content on this website should not be taken as medical advice and you should ALWAYS consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. We provide nutritional data for our recipes as a courtesy to our readers. We use Total Keto Diet app software to calculate the nutrition and we remove fiber and sugar alcohols, like erythritol, from the total carbohydrate count to get to the net carb count, as they do not affect your blood glucose levels. You should independently calculate nutritional information on your own and not rely on our data. The website or content herein is not intended to cure, prevent, diagnose or treat any disease. This website shall not be liable for adverse reactions or any other outcome resulting from the use of recipes or recommendations on the Website or actions you take as a result. Any action you take is strictly at your own risk.
Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD is an aesthetic medicine specialist whose work focuses on patients who are treated for obesity, metabolic syndrome, and other weight-related issues through nutritional analysis, keto diet programs, and supporting medications.
- This Grocery Store Team Lost Over 200 Pounds Using Keto - December 19, 2018
- Treating Diabetes with Weight Loss - December 12, 2018
- Ancient Nutrition Connects With Natural Partners - December 5, 2018
Can you clarify the net carbs of a serving of jackfruit? I am interested in trying it, but different sources say different amounts.I have seen 23 to 38 g of carbs per 1 cup serving. That is 1 to 2 days worth of carbs in a strict 20g keto diet.