Pickles, whether sweet or dill, are a trendy snack among many people. They are low-calorie, can be added to sandwiches, made into relish, and more! If you follow the paleo diet, you are restricted to meat, seafood, eggs, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Pickles are pickled cucumbers, so do they fit into the paleo diet?
Pickles are not paleo. Pickles contain additives that people years ago would not have had access to through hunting and gathering. The most common ingredient in jarred pickles is vinegar, but the earth does not naturally produce this addition. The best paleo alternatives are Go Raw Pumpkin Seeds, Good & Gather Brussels Sprouts, and Divina Organic Pitted Green Olives.
Even though pickles are not paleo, let’s look at how healthy they are, what the top brands are, and what paleo alternatives you can replace them with!
Contents
- Are Pickles Healthy?
- Pickle Nutritional Facts
- Vlasic Purely Pickles Kosher Dill Spears
- Best Maid Sour Pickles
- Best Maid Dill Pickles
- 365 By Whole Foods Market Pickles Bread & Butter Chips
- Vlasic Snack’mms Sweet’n Crunchy Mini Pickles
- Pickerfresh Kosher Dill Wholes
- Vlasic Snack’mms Kosher Dill Minis
- Woodstock Kosher Dill Pickle Spears
- Heinz Hoagie Dill Pickles
- Van Holten’s Jumbo Kosher Garlic Pickles
- McClure’s Garlic Dill Pickles
- Famous Dave’s Signature Spicy Pickle Chips
- Rick’s Picks Sliced Garlic Dill Pickles
- Pickerfresh Kosher Dill Spears
- Pickerfresh Kosher Petite Dills
- Mt. Olive Kosher Dills
- Healthy Paleo Alternatives to Pickles
- Final Thoughts
- Related Questions
Are Pickles Healthy?
Overall, pickles are good for you! Most brands add only natural ingredients to pickle and flavor the cucumbers, but it is essential to be aware that some brands add a lot of sugar and artificial additives. Also, they can be high in sodium, and it is crucial to be mindful of that if you usually keep tabs on your daily levels.
Pickles tend to be very low in calories per serving, making them an excellent snack for anyone trying to maintain or lose weight. They also have no fat, which is a great plus!
If you are on the ketogenic diet, pickles can be a great way to get nutrients in that you would otherwise be missing from low consumption of vegetables due to how high in carbohydrates they are. Pickle products that have no sugar contain one gram of carbs or less per serving.
Whether you eat pickles on their own as spears or add the chips to a sandwich, you could be benefiting from the following:
- They are an excellent source of folate, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin K, and phosphorus.
- They are high in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that can reduce your risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
- They can help your blood properly clot and keep your bones strong.
Pickle Nutritional Facts
Vlasic Purely Pickles Kosher Dill Spears
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 0
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: <1g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 0g
These are the ingredients in the Vlasic Purely Pickles Kosher Dill Spears:
- Cucumbers
- Water
- Sugar
- Distilled vinegar
- Sea salt
- Calcium chloride
- Acacia gum
- Natural flavors
- Beta carotene (color)
Best Maid Sour Pickles
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 5
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 1g
- Total sugars: <1g
- Protein: 0g
These are the ingredients in the Best Maid Sour Pickles:
- Cucumbers
- Water
- Vinegar
- Salt
- Alum
- Calcium chloride
- Natural flavoring
- Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (preservatives)
- Oleoresin turmeric and yellow 5 (colors)
- Polysorbate 80 (emulsifier)
Best Maid Dill Pickles
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 5
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 1g
- Total sugars: <1g
- Protein: 0g
These are the ingredients in the Best Maid Dill Pickles:
- Cucumbers
- Water
- Vinegar
- Salt
- Alum
- Calcium chloride
- Natural flavoring
- Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (preservatives)
- Oleoresin turmeric and yellow 5 (colors)
- Polysorbate 80 (emulsifier)
365 By Whole Foods Market Pickles Bread & Butter Chips
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 30
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 7g
- Total sugars: 7g
- Protein: 0g
These are the ingredients in the 365 By Whole Foods Market Pickles Bread & Butter Chips:
- Organic cucumbers
- Organic cane sugar
- Water
- Organic distilled white vinegar
- Salt
- Organic spices (mustard and celery)
- Organic dehydrated onions
- Calcium chloride
- Natural flavors
- Organic turmeric extract (color)
Vlasic Snack’mms Sweet’n Crunchy Mini Pickles
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 0
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 1g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 0g
These are the ingredients in the Vlasic Snack’mms Sweet’n Crunchy Mini Pickles:
- Cucumbers
- Distilled vinegar
- Salt
- Calcium chloride
- Polysorbate 80
- Natural flavors
- Yellow 5
Pickerfresh Kosher Dill Wholes
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 5
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 1g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: <1g
These are the ingredients in the Pickerfresh Kosher Dill Wholes:
- Cucumber
- Water
- Vinegar
- Salt
- Calcium chloride
- Dill
- Garlic
- Red pepper
- Flavorings
Vlasic Snack’mms Kosher Dill Minis
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 0
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 1g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 0g
These are the ingredients in the Vlasic Snack’mms Kosher Dill Minis:
- Cucumbers
- Water
- Distilled vinegar
- Sea salt
- Calcium chloride
- Acacia gum
- Natural flavors
- Beta carotene (color)
- Potassium metabisulfite (preservative)
Woodstock Kosher Dill Pickle Spears
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 0
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 1g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 0g
These are the ingredients in the Woodstock Kosher Dill Pickle Spears:
- Organic cucumbers
- Water
- Organic vinegar
- Salt
- Contains less than 2% of: dehydrated organic garlic, calcium chloride, natural flavors (contains mustard), organic gum arabic, organic turmeric extract (color)
Heinz Hoagie Dill Pickles
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 0
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 0g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 0g
These are the ingredients in the Heinz Hoagie Dill Pickles:
- Cucumbers
- Water
- Distilled vinegar
- Salt
- Dehydrated garlic
- Calcium chloride
- Sodium benzoate (preservative)
- Garlic
- Gum acacia
- Dehydrated red bell peppers
- Spice
- Natural flavoring
- Polysorbate 80
- Yellow 5
Van Holten’s Jumbo Kosher Garlic Pickles
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 0
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 0g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 0g
These are the ingredients in the Van Holten’s Jumbo Kosher Garlic Pickles:
- Cucumber
- Water
- Salt
- Vinegar
- Calcium chloride
- Natural flavoring
- Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (preservatives)
- Garlic extracts
- Yellow 5
McClure’s Garlic Dill Pickles
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 5
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 2g
- Total sugars: 1g
- Protein: 0g
These are the ingredients in McClure’s Garlic Dill Pickles:
- Cucumbers
- Vinegar
- Water
- Salt
- Garlic
- Dill
Famous Dave’s Signature Spicy Pickle Chips
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 30
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 7g
- Total sugars: 7g
- Protein: 0g
These are the ingredients in the Famous Dave’s Signature Spicy Pickle Chips:
- Fresh cucumbers
- High fructose corn syrup
- Water
- Vinegar
- Contains less than 2% of: salt, spices (contains mustard and celery seed), dehydrated onions, calcium chloride, dehydrated red bell peppers, natural and artificial flavors, polysorbate 90, turmeric extract (color)
Rick’s Picks Sliced Garlic Dill Pickles
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 15
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 3g
- Total sugars: <1g
- Protein: <1g
These are the ingredients in the Rick’s Picks Sliced Garlic Dill Pickles:
- Cucumbers
- Vinegar
- Water
- Garlic
- Dill
- Coriander
- Salt
- Calcium chloride
Pickerfresh Kosher Dill Spears
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 5
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 1g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: <1g
These are the ingredients in the Pickerfresh Kosher Dill Spears:
- Cucumber
- Water
- Vinegar
- Salt
- Calcium chloride
- Dill
- Garlic
- Red pepper
- Flavorings
Pickerfresh Kosher Petite Dills
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 5
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 1g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: <1g
These are the ingredients in the Pickerfresh Kosher Petite Dills:
- Cucumber
- Water
- Vinegar
- Salt
- Calcium chloride
- Dill
- Garlic
- Red pepper
- Flavorings
Mt. Olive Kosher Dills
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per serving):
- Calories: 5
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 1g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 0g
These are the ingredients in the Mt. Olive Kosher Dills:
- Cucumbers
- Water
- Vinegar
- Salt
- Calcium chloride
- 0.1% sodium benzoate (preservative)
- Natural flavors
- Polysorbate 80
- Yellow 5
Healthy Paleo Alternatives to Pickles
Go Raw Organic Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds
These crunchy pumpkin seeds are a great snack to grab on the go if you are on the paleo diet!
Nutrition Info:
- Calories: 160
- Total fat: 13g
- Total carbohydrates: 4g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 8g
Ingredients:
- Sprouted pumpkin seeds
- Sea salt
Good & Gather Brussels Sprouts
Try these Brussels sprouts if you need something straightforward and nutritious!
Nutrition Info:
- Calories: 45
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrates: 8g
- Total sugars: 2g
- Protein: 3g
Ingredients:
- Brussels sprouts
Divina Organic Pitted Green Olives
Eat these olives straight or make them a delicious addition to a dish!
Nutrition Info:
- Calories: 20
- Total fat: 2g
- Total carbohydrates: 1g
- Total sugars: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Ingredients:
- Organic olives
- Water
- Sea salt
- Citric acid
Eating plenty of vegetables is a great way to stick to the paleo diet while consuming generous amounts of vitamins and minerals. Other great options include:
- Arugula
- Asparagus
- Beets
- Bok choy
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Kale
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Peppers
- Radish
- Romaine lettuce
- Squash
- Spinach
- Zucchini
Final Thoughts
While pickles may not be paleo, they are healthy and delicious snacks! They are very low in calories, and if the brand doesn’t use added sugars, they can be a great option for anyone trying to lose weight. They are also high in antioxidants and various vitamins and minerals.
If you need to snack on some veggies included in the paleo diet, you have many choices! Bell peppers, spinach, zucchini, and asparagus are just a few that you can eat on their own or mix into a salad or other delicious dish.
Related Questions
Are Pickles Keto-Friendly?
Any pickles that do not contain added sugars are keto-friendly, as they typically have one gram of carbohydrates or less per serving.
Are Pickles Fermented?
While most pickles are fermented, not all are. Pickles can also be made when hot vinegar is poured over cucumbers.
Are Pickles Acidic?
Yes, pickles are acidic!
Are Pickles Easy To Digest?
Pickles should be easy for you to digest because of the probiotics and digestive enzymes that they contain.