Are Pears Keto-Friendly?

Pears are one of the oldest cultivated fruits, with a long storage life and a distinct flavor and texture. These delightful sweet fruits have been popularized for centuries in literature like the Odyssey, where Greek poet laureate Homer calls them a “gift of the gods” and even in the 18th century Christmas carol, Twelve Days of Christmas, with the famous line “partridge in a pear tree.” ^[1]

When you’re navigating the ketogenic diet, you know that some fruits are higher in carbs than others. If you enjoy the flavor of pears and you’re following a ketogenic diet, you’re probably wondering if pears are keto-friendly. Can you eat pears on keto?

The Nutrition Profile of Pears

Pears provide a range of nutrients. For example, one Bartlett pear (178 grams) has an impressive 87 mg of potassium, which is known to support your bones, heart, and muscles. One Bartlett pear (178 grams) also provides 10 mg of phosphorus, 8 mg of calcium, and 4.4 mg of vitamin C. You can obtain other nutrients like vitamin A and folate from these juicy fruits ^[2]

Are Pears Keto?

Sadly, the carb count of pears is too high to include in a ketogenic diet. Generally speaking, white-fleshed fruits like apples and pears are higher in carbs. One Bartlett pear (178 grams) has 12 grams of net carbs, which is too high for most keto dieters for one sitting. One cup of cubed pears also clocks in around 12 grams of net carbs. ^[3] Other pears like red or anjou pears have a similar carb count.

Since standard keto dieters usually consume only 50 grams of net carbs daily, with many dieters seeking lower carb counts, 12 grams of net carbs for one sitting is quite high. Therapeutic ketogenic diets often involve less than 20 grams of net carbs daily.

Asian pears are a little lower in carbs, but they’re still too high for most keto dieters. One Asian pear (275 grams) gives you 7 grams of net carbs. ^[4] That being said, some keto dieters might be able to consume half an Asian pear or one medium Asian pear and retain in ketosis, but this depends on various factors, including individual metabolism, goals, and your daily macros. If you’re ever unsure about a particular food or serving size and how it impacts ketosis, you can always test your ketone levels at home after eating it.

Keto Pear Alternatives

Instead of impeding ketosis by sinking your teeth into a pear, try these keto-friendly pear alternatives instead:

Keto-friendly, low-sugar fruits, such as strawberries and blueberries
Keto sweeteners (to deliver the sweet flavor)
Pear extract
Pear-essenced water

Keto sweeteners provide no-sugar sweetness, and pear extract delivers the distinct flavor you’re hankering after.

Drinking a pear-esssenced water or cooking a keto recipe with keto sweeteners, pear extract, and keto-friendly fruits can help you stay on the low-carb track while satisfying your palate and cravings.

Steph Green

Steph Green is a content writer specializing in and passionate about healthcare, wellness, and nutrition. Steph has worked with marketing agencies, written medical books for doctors like ‘Untangling the Web of Dysfunction,’ and her poetry book ‘Words that Might Mean Something.’ In 2016, after four years of struggling with her own health problems and painful autoimmune disease, Steph developed a life-changing and extensive knowledge of keto, nutrition, and natural medicine. She continues on her healing journey and enjoys helping others along the way.