Indian keto guide
Navigable
Keto friendliness
Indian cuisine offers many keto-friendly protein and fat bases, but requires careful navigation to avoid ubiquitous carb traps.
Top ingredients
Excellent traditional keto ingredients include various meats (chicken, lamb, goat, fish), paneer, eggs, ghee, coconut milk, and low-carb vegetables like spinach, cauliflower, and eggplant.
Danger zones
Beware of all breads (naan, roti), rice, lentils (dal), chickpeas, potatoes, sugary marinades, starchy curry thickeners, and fried snacks like pakoras or samosas.
Best for
This cuisine is best for high-protein, high-fat keto dieters who enjoy rich flavors and are adept at modifying restaurant orders.
What to drink
Drinks you will see at Indian restaurants, cafés and stalls, rated the same way as the food.
Order these
- KetoSpiced Buttermilk chaas (छाछ) · 4g net carbs as usually served
- KetoKokum Coconut Drink sol kadhi · 5g net carbs as usually served
- Ask firstKashmiri Kahwa kahwa · 8g net carbs as usually servedAsk for no sugar or honey.
- Ask firstSalted Lassi namkeen lassi (नमकीन लस्सी) · 8g net carbs as usually servedSay 'namkeen' (salted). Plain 'lassi' often means sweet.
- Ask firstCumin Water jaljeera (जलजीरा) · 10g net carbs as usually servedAsk whether it's made without sugar. Fresh-made beats packet mix.
- Ask firstSouth Indian Filter Coffee filter kaapi · 12g net carbs as usually servedAsk for it 'without sugar' when you order. It's usually pre-sweetened.
- Ask firstMasala Chai masala chai (मसाला चाय) · 14g net carbs as usually servedAsk for it 'bina cheeni' (without sugar) before it's made. The milk still adds about 4g.
- Ask firstLime Water nimbu pani (नींबू पानी) · 20g net carbs as usually servedAsk for it 'sirf namak' (salt only).
- Ask firstFresh Lime Soda · 22g net carbs as usually servedOrder it 'salted'. You'll be asked: sweet, salted or mixed.
Skip these
- SkipAlmond Milk Drink badam milk · 28g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order chaas instead.
- SkipSpiced Milk with Nuts thandai (ठंडाई) · 30g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order chaas instead.
- SkipRaw Mango Drink aam panna · 30g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order nimbu pani, salt only instead.
- SkipSweet Lassi meethi lassi · 40g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order salted lassi or chaas instead.
- SkipMango Lassi aam lassi · 45g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order salted lassi or chaas instead.
- SkipFalooda · 60g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order chaas instead.
286 dishes · page 1 of 5
Questions people ask
What can I eat at an Indian restaurant on keto?
Good orders that are keto as served include Junglee Maas (5g net carbs), Mooli Bhurji (5g net carbs), Murg Kali Mirch Tikka (5g net carbs), Tandoori Fish (5g net carbs), Andhra Mutton Fry (6g net carbs) and Guntur Chicken Fry (6g net carbs). Of the 286 Indian dishes in this guide, 87 are keto as served.
Is Indian food keto-friendly?
Keto Atlas rates Indian food "Navigable" for keto. Indian cuisine offers many keto-friendly protein and fat bases, but requires careful navigation to avoid ubiquitous carb traps.
What Indian dishes should I avoid on keto?
Beware of all breads (naan, roti), rice, lentils (dal), chickpeas, potatoes, sugary marinades, starchy curry thickeners, and fried snacks like pakoras or samosas. Dishes to skip include Laabdar Chicken (21g), Bhuna Gosht (19g), Kadai Chicken (17g) and Mutton Korma (17g).
How do I order Indian food keto-style?
Many dishes become keto with one small request. For Amritsari Fish Fry: say "For Amritsari Fish Fry, please confirm it's almond flour or no flour coating, not besan. Also, confirm it's shallow-fried in keto-friendly oil." For Tawa Fish Fry: say "Tawa Fish Fry: No flour, semolina, or breading coating. Pan-fried only in oil/ghee. No sugary dipping sauces, please."
What can I drink at an Indian restaurant on keto?
Keto-friendly as served: Spiced Buttermilk and Kokum Coconut Drink. Fine with a small request (usually no sugar or syrup): Kashmiri Kahwa, Salted Lassi, Cumin Water and South Indian Filter Coffee. Skip sugary drinks such as Almond Milk Drink, Spiced Milk with Nuts and Raw Mango Drink.