Like walnuts, almonds, and cashews, peanuts are a tasty and nutritious low-carb snack that can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet.

Research has suggested that regularly eating peanuts, like walnuts and macadamia nuts, may help reduce the risk of developing heart conditions and diabetes due to their healthy fats and protein content.

However, because peanuts and cashews are high in fat, most nutritionists recommend consuming them in moderation.

As such, if you’re following the ketogenic diet, you may want to know whether peanuts are keto-friendly.

The various kinds of peanuts and their compatibility with ketogenic diet plans will be covered in this article.

What are peanuts?

Peanuts are a type of legume that is widely cultivated for human consumption.

While peanuts are often used as vegetable oil, most peanuts developed for human consumption are used to make peanuts.

Peanuts are high-fat plant foods that can be eaten raw, roasted, boiled, or fried.

They also make a tasty addition to baked goods, chilis, stews, soups, and other dishes.

Among the main types of peanuts, one can also consider walnuts, almonds, and macadamia nuts as other healthy snack options.

The first type is sweet peanuts, often used to make peanut butter and considered one of the best low-carb nuts for keto followers.

They’re cultivated mainly in the southern United States and Brazil, similar to almonds and macadamia nuts.

The second type of peanut popular on the keto diet is the Virginia or Spanish peanut, mainly produced in Virginia and Georgia in the United States, a good low-carb alternative to tree nuts.

Both types are suitable for eating raw or peanut butter.

Will peanuts make you lose weight on keto?

While peanuts are high in fat, they are also high in protein, fiber, and potassium.

As such, peanuts can make an excellent snack for people following a keto diet, especially in moderation.

A 100-gram serving of peanuts contains about 12.9 grams of fat and 6.6 grams of protein.

One study found that those who ate peanuts regularly (1-2 servings per week) had a 30% lower risk of developing diabetes and a 25% lower risk of developing heart disease.

Another study found that regular peanut consumption, like brazil nut intake, reduced blood cholesterol levels while remaining low in carbs.

It means that peanuts may help you lose weight and prevent heart disease.

Although peanuts, seen as one of the best nuts for diet plans, are similar to macadamia nuts and almonds in fat content, their low-carb profile makes them a popular choice in keto diets.

Because of this, eating moderate amounts of peanuts is essential.

For example, if you eat one serving of peanuts per day (roughly 46 g), you’ll consume about 17% of your daily calories from fat.

Following a diet high in healthy fats and protein falls within the recommended range of 20% to 35% of daily calories from fat for most adults.

Are dry-roasted peanuts keto?

Dry-roasted peanuts are roasted in oil, which makes them unsuitable for a ketogenic diet.

It is because roasted peanuts are high in both fat and calories.

A 100-gram serving of dry roasted peanuts contains about 58 fat and 661 calories.

Comparable to almonds and cashews, which also have carbs, dry-roasted peanuts are not the best choice for a low-carb diet. If you’re following a keto diet, avoiding dry-roasted peanuts is best.

An intelligent choice for supporters of the 'peanuts on keto' approach would be to opt for raw peanuts that haven’t been roasted in oil, thus maintaining a low carb intake.

Raw peanuts, also known as “unroasted” peanuts, are a top choice among the best nuts for keto due to their low carb content.

Raw peanuts are not only lower in fat than roasted peanuts, but they also contain more protein and fiber.

Are fresh peanuts keto?

Fresh peanuts, like raw walnuts and almonds, have yet to be roasted in oil.

As such, they are suitable for a ketogenic diet. Raw peanuts, like almonds and macadamia nuts, are great for a low-carb diet because they are high in protein and fiber.

A 100-gram serving of raw peanuts offers approximately the same amount of proteins and healthy fats as almonds or walnuts. It contains 10 grams of fat, 10 grams of protein, and 6 grams of fiber.

Although fresh peanuts are low in carbs, making them a good fit for the 'peanuts on keto' concept, they still are rich in fat compared to other nuts like Brazil nuts.

Eating a 100-gram serving of fresh peanuts (about 1 cup) will consume about 17% of your daily calories from fat. It is within the recommended range of 20% to 35% of daily calories from fat for most adults.

Is there a difference between roasted and unroasted peanuts?

Yes, there is a difference between roasted and unroasted peanuts. Unroasted peanuts are raw peanuts that haven’t been roasted in oil.

Roasted peanuts are raw peanuts that have been burned in oil.

Both roasted and unroasted peanuts, like tree nuts, are low in carbs, protein, and fiber, making them some of the best nuts for a low-carb diet.

Type	Fat (per 100g)	Protein (per 100g)
Roasted Peanuts	17 grams	6 grams
Unroasted Peanuts	10 grams	7 grams

Roasted peanuts are higher in total fat than unroasted peanuts but contain more protein.

While roasted peanuts, almonds, and cashews are low in carbs, they have a slightly higher carbohydrate content than their unroasted versions.

Are marinated peanuts keto-friendly?

Marinated peanuts are raw peanuts marinated in a mixture of oil and spices.

While peanuts are low in carbs, marinated peanuts are high in fat and calories.

A 100-gram serving of marinated peanuts, higher in carbs than other nuts and seeds, contains about 14 grams of fat and 309 calories.

As such, marinated peanuts are not keto-friendly.

If you're following a keto diet and aiming for ketosis, it's best to avoid high-carb foods like marinated peanuts.

Instead, it would help to opt for raw peanuts that haven’t been marinated in oil.

Raw peanuts, also known as “unroasted” peanuts, are a top choice among the best nuts for keto due to their low carb content.

Raw peanuts are not only lower in fat than marinated peanuts, but they also contain more protein and fiber.

FAQs

Are peanuts considered keto-friendly?

Peanuts are not keto-friendly as they are relatively high in carbs compared to other nuts.

Can I include peanuts in a keto diet?

It's not recommended as peanuts are higher in carbs than options like macadamia nuts, almonds, walnuts, or Brazil nuts, which are lower in carbs and more suitable for a keto diet.

What are the benefits of peanuts on a keto diet?

Peanuts are not the best option for a ketogenic diet because of their higher carbohydrate content. On the other hand, they are a good source of protein, healthy fats, and other vital nutrients, among other health benefits.

How many carbs are in peanuts?

Peanuts have a relatively higher carb content than other nuts, making them less suitable for those following a keto lifestyle.

Can I consume peanut butter on a keto diet?

While peanut butter is a popular choice, it's important to note that it is made from peanuts and can contain added sugars, so it's best to choose nut butter with a lower carb content, like almond or macadamia.

Are peanuts considered part of the keto nut group?

Peanuts are legumes rather than nuts, generally higher in carbs than other nuts considered more keto-friendly.

Should peanuts be included in a keto diet?

Due to being relatively high in carbs, including peanuts in a keto diet may not be the best choice.

Opting for nuts lower in carbs and more suitable for a ketogenic diet is recommended.

Can I include a handful of peanuts in my keto diet?

While a handful of peanuts may seem like a convenient snack, they are relatively higher in carbs than other nuts better suited for a keto diet, so it's best to choose lower-carb options like almonds or walnuts.

Are there any nuts that are ideal for a keto diet?

Various nuts, such as macadamia, almonds, and walnuts, are great for the keto diet because they are low in carbs and healthy fats.

How can I enjoy nuts on a keto diet without including peanuts?

You can still enjoy nuts suitable for a keto diet, such as macadamia nuts, almonds, and walnuts, which are low in carbs and ideal for those following a ketogenic lifestyle.

Summary

Eating peanuts daily may help lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

It is a nutritious and tasty snack that fits nicely into a balanced diet.

However, because peanuts are high in fat, most nutritionists recommend consuming them in moderation.

As such, if you’re following the ketogenic diet, you may want to know whether peanuts are keto-friendly.

Dry-roasted peanuts are unsuitable for the keto diet, whereas fresh peanuts are a great keto snack.

If you’re following a keto diet, avoiding dry-roasted peanuts is best.

Instead, it would be best to prefer low-carb raw peanuts that haven’t been roasted in oil, unlike high-carb pine nuts. Raw peanuts are also known as “unroasted” peanuts.