5 Reasons Why Brussels Sprouts Are Great For Keto

Brussels sprouts are keto-friendly because it’s a high-fiber, low-calorie, and low-net carb vegetable. It has 43 calories, 5.3 grams net carbs, and 3.8 grams fiber per 100-gram serving. It also has a low glycemic index of 32 which means that the majority of its carb content will not cause your blood insulin to spike. Additionally, its high fiber content slows down the absorption of the sugar in the body which is important especially when trying to achieve ketosis. Fiber can also make you feel full faster which helps prevent overeating.

A superfood is defined as any food product with a variety of nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are beneficial for overall wellness. Eventually, as people became more health-conscious, the term ‘functional foods’ was replaced with superfoods. Being a superfood candidate, brussels sprouts proudly boasts of its high antioxidant content in its phytochemicals that it may even ward off cancer. It’s an all-in-one vegetable making up for its small size!

Brussels sprouts can be eaten raw, so as not to lose the necessary vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It can also be prepared roasted with cheese or with any dairy you want or blanched. It’s also good to mix it with another superfood like kale, lettuce, or broccoli. However, be careful of overcooking it as it might become too soggy and taste will be a bit off, sometimes with a garlic-like pungent smell.

Brussels sprout is not known to cause diarrhea but it helps in maintaining normal bowel movement since brussels sprouts contain 86 grams of water and 4 grams of dietary fiber. An average of 25-40 grams of dietary fiber may be eaten in a day. This helps in the effortless elimination of stools with regular frequency. 

Brussels sprouts help in the total detoxification of the body by utilizing the following phytochemicals which are glucosinolates, sinigrin, indole 3-carbinol, and sulforaphane. They’re known to act against free radicals and are proven to lessen the risk of cancer. Kaempferol was also found to have high levels and help in slowing down neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Unfortunately, roasting Brussels sprouts does destroy some of the nutrients. Usually, the water-soluble vitamins are affected like Vitamin B and C. The electrolytes and minerals are contained but decreased to minute levels. The only thing retained to almost 100% is the soluble fiber. So, if you’re thinking of roasting your Brussels sprouts, don’t over roast or better yet, just put them in a steamer or sauté for a while and it’s good to go.

Juicing is actually better than steaming or roasting the brussels sprouts because the nutrients are preserved. To incorporate juicing sprouts in keto, you may want to add more cruciferous vegetables to reach your fiber count, like cauliflower, kale, or broccoli, then a bit of sweetener or whipping cream, if that’s your preference. However, remember to take note of your net carb count.

Brussels sprouts can be frozen especially if you bought a bunch of them or planning to use them for meal prepping in the future. Freezing brussels sprouts can lengthen their storage life up to 12 months. Before freezing, you may also blanch them for 3-5 minutes, or roast them as usual before sealing in an air-free bag and then popping in the freezer. Some people just wash them, even with the stem on. Freezing the sprouts can help retain their nutrients, sweetness, and crispness.

Brussels sprouts can easily go bad because of their small and soft structure, especially if not stored carefully. Always trust your senses as any deviation from the normal-looking brussels sprouts means it should not be consumed and thrown away immediately. Some symptoms of spoilage are the appearance of black or brown spots, molds, usually slimy, and with a pungent smell. Taste is more sour than sweeter, and texture is softer and stickier.

The black or brown stuff you see in Brussels sprouts is due to a fungal disease gardeners call as ‘Brassica dark leaf spot,’ same with what’s present in some cabbages. This happens when the spotted sprouts are left in a wet and cold environment or if bought with protective packaging, enabling the fungus to grow unceasingly. This may also indicate that they’re going bad if you leave them out or uneaten. If you ever notice these spots, you can just remove the affected parts and cook them as usual. 

Due to the sulfur content of brussels sprouts, it will make you feel bloated or gassy. It’s not just the brussels sprouts, but other cruciferous vegetables share this trait but it doesn’t indicate any bad effects. Heartburn rarely happens when ingesting brussels sprouts as it’s considered as an alkaline vegetable.

Yes, not just brussels sprouts but other cruciferous vegetables too. The strong, pungent odor is because of the presence of methyl-mercaptan. Don’t be bothered as it doesn’t have any ill effects in the body. Reducing the amount of intake of sprouts can eliminate the stinky smell.

Brussels sprouts are a must in a diabetic’s diet. With its low net carb content of 5 grams and low glycemic index of 32, the regulation of blood glucose is topnotch. The pro-inflammatory markers associated with Diabetes, such as IL-6 and C-reactive protein, were easily modulated by the aliphatic glucosinolates in sprouts. A total of 1.25 cups per day has been determined to exert the anti-inflammatory effect of brussels sprouts.

It depends on the condition of gouty arthritis. Though it has some purine content, it’s not high enough to cause a gout attack. Sprouts can decrease pain and swelling in the area of affected joints by utilizing antioxidants, such as Vitamin C and phytochemicals. Do moderate the intake of the sprouts to 1 cup per day as they can still initiate a gout episode.

Brussels sprouts have a bit of alkaline content. It is rich in micronutrients like magnesium, calcium, and potassium which helps make the blood pH alkaline. This is good for individuals with health concerns such as heartburn, indigestion problems, cancer risks, kidney diseases, and bone problems.

Pregnancy demands a lot of nutrients to sustain the unborn child’s needs. Folate is particularly needed in expecting moms to avoid congenital neural tube deformities like spina bifida and anencephaly. Brussels sprouts contain 80mcg of folate and a bunch of nutrients essential for holistic pregnancy wellness. Consuming sprouts as steamed rather than raw is recommended to avoid contracting soil-borne diseases such as toxoplasmosis. No contraindications for moms who exclusively breastfeed, as the sprouts are very beneficial for both mother and child.