Are Spare Ribs Keto-friendly?

Last updated on July 17th, 2022 at 07:18 am

Recently starting on a keto-diet, you have been on the search for food that you can eat. Fortunately for you, this is not too difficult of a task. You basically need to eat a low amount of carbs and a high amount of fat or protein). 

So, you can have meat and poultry on a keto-diet. But, what about ribs? Are spare ribs keto-friendly?

Spare ribs contain zero carbs and are perfectly acceptable to eat on a keto diet. However, if you add BBQ sauce or a dry rub to the ribs then opt for a keto-friendly kind to avoid those unwanted carbs.

On a keto-diet, it may seem as though you can’t eat a lot of things. Keto is a low-carb and protein diet which sends the body into ketosis and thus helps aid in weight loss. This diet is strict and consists of eating low-carbs and higher amounts of fat and protein. 

Ribs are a high source of protein and do not contain any carbs at all and so because of this, spare ribs are an excellent choice of meat to eat while on the keto diet. They also have many vitamins and minerals that are good for you. 

Ribs do not contain any carbs so you can stay on track with your low-carb diet.  Pork ribs are the best kind of ribs to eat on keto-diet since they are a leaner meat. 

Spare ribs are pork. They are from the lower portion of the pig and are a delicious entree.

If you are worried about consuming too many carbs, then be assured that ribs don’t have any at all. If the ribs are a little dry and you want some sauce, you can add some sugar free barbeque sauce and still stay on track with your diet. 

As far as adding some flavor to the spare ribs, you can eat regular barbeque sauce but it is recommended you look for barbeque sauce that is keto-friendly to be safe. While on a keto diet, you can eat carbs but just a very low amount. 

You have a certain goal and when you reach that amount of carbs you are allowed to eat for the day, to stay on track, you can’t eat any more. Foods that are high protein like meat or high fat are keto-friendly including ribs and spare ribs. So, spare ribs are keto-friendly.

Can You Eat Barbeque Ribs On Keto-Diet?

What pairs better with ribs than some BBQ sauce? It’s sweet and tangy and when smothered over some grilled rib meat is just so tasty. If you are on a keto diet you could be wondering, can you eat BBQ ribs on keto-diet?

You can eat barbeque ribs on a keto-diet. Although the ribs themselves don’t have any carbs, the BBQ sauce may have carbs in it, So be sure to choose a keto-friendly barbeque sauce and enjoy!

Barbeque sauce is basically made up of tomatoes, vinegar, and spices. But, it can also have a lot of sugar so it is best to pick a keto-friendly barbeque sauce for the ribs if you are on a keto diet. 

If cooked well, ribs can be tender and juicy. Still, they may need some flavoring. Usually BBQ sauce is used to give ribs a nice flavor and taste. It is best to choose a barbeque sauce that is unsweetened or organic. 

Fortunately, the unsweetened or organic sauces still taste good on ribs so even if you have to use a different sauce than what everyone else is using, you won’t be missing out on much. Ribs don’t have any carbs and if the barbeque sauce is keto-friendly, then you can still stay in control of your diet and eat BBQ ribs.

According to the article, How To Eat Keto At A BBQ Restaurant: A Keto Guide to Dining Out, “The best keto BBQ choices are smoked or grilled meats, like brisket, steak, burgers, and pulled pork, without sauce…Definitely use caution with barbeque sauces because most are high in sugar and carbs. Many smoked or grilled meats are prepared with a rub, and white or brown sugar is often a key ingredient. A little sugar over a big ol’ hunk of meat, like a brisket or pork butt, is no big deal, but when a chicken leg is coated with a sugary rub, beware of carbs.”

How Many Carbs Are In Pork Ribs?

As I already mentioned, keto is a low-carb diet. Because of this, it can help with weight loss by keeping you feeling fuller for longer. When trying to stay away from carbs, it can get challenging. As someone who enjoys ribs, this can cause you to wonder, how many carbs are in pork ribs?

There are no carbs in pork ribs. In general, ribs don’t have any carbs, until you use a dry rub or BBQ sauce on them. So, if you are counting how many carbs you eat, know that pork ribs don’t have any.

Along with not containing any carbs, did you know that ribs can be healthy for you? They have a lot of vitamins and nutrients. On keto, you eat foods that are high in protein and fat and ribs are exactly that. 

Now, if you are serious about losing weight, then choose the right kind of ribs for your meal. The best meat to eat while on a weight loss diet are lean meats, and so you should choose pork ribs over beef ribs. 

Spare ribs are keto-friendly but keep in mind that they are higher in fat and calories. Even though spare ribs can be eaten on a keto diet, it is recommended that you eat them in moderation. An every day diet of ribs could result in certain health conditions.

The article, What Nutrients Are Found in Pork Ribs? says that, “Ribs are naturally carb-free (minus any carbs in added sauces, of course) so all of their calories come from protein and fat. A 3-ounce portion of ribs – about 210 calories’, or 1 ribs’ worth of meat – supplies 24 grams of protein and contains 12 grams of fat. That protein is a great way to fuel up your muscles, because pork ribs supply all the amino acids you need to rebuild muscle tissue. The fat comes from a mix of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, and each serving of ribs has 5 grams of saturated fat. Nutritionally, that’s less than ideal, since saturated fat increases the levels of “bad” cholesterol in your bloodstream. Their saturated fat content is why ribs are best eaten as an occasional treat rather than an everyday staple.”

Final Thoughts

Spare ribs are keto-friendly because they do not contain any carbs. Keto is a low-carb, high fat (protein) diet and since ribs are high in protein they are fine to eat while on a keto diet. 

If using BBQ sauce with your ribs, be sure to use an unsweetened, keto-friendly sauce. On keto, you can only consume a certain amount of carbs and barbeque sauce has carbs. So, be aware of what you’re eating to stay on track with your health and weight goals. 

All that to say, all ribs, whether pork or beef, don’t have any carbs. So, spare ribs are indeed a keto-friendly food.