Use in Moderation
Ricotta
4.50g net carbs per 1/4 cup
Those 4.5 g of net carbs per quarter cup add up faster than you might expect, so treat ricotta as a measured ingredient rather than a free-for-all. Stir a couple of tablespoons into eggs or a sauce, and you keep the carbs low while still getting 4.7 g of protein and 6.3 g of fat.
Built by Barron Hansen · Last updated July 2026
Nutrition Facts
Fits My Daily Budget?
Set your daily net carb limit to see how one serving fits.
One serving uses 23% of your 20g daily budget.
Plan the rest of your day
Good to Know
Whole-milk versions (like Galbani or Polly-O) give you more fat per bite, which suits a keto plate better than the part-skim tubs. Check the label, since the carbs come from natural milk sugar (lactose) and a few brands sneak in stabilizers or modified starch that nudge the count up. It works well stirred into a quick lasagna with zucchini sheets, blended into a spinach filling, or sweetened with a pinch of erythritol for a dessert ramekin.
Is Ricotta Keto? The Full Answer
Ricotta contains 4.50g net carbs per 1/4 cup (4.50g total carbs minus 0.00g fiber). Those 4.5 g of net carbs per quarter cup add up faster than you might expect, so treat ricotta as a measured ingredient rather than a free-for-all. Stir a couple of tablespoons into eggs or a sauce, and you keep the carbs low while still getting 4.7 g of protein and 6.3 g of fat.
On a standard ketogenic diet, most people target 20-25g net carbs per day. A single serving uses 23% of a 20g daily carb limit. Track your portions carefully and account for other carbs in your meals.
Better Keto Swaps
Mascarpone is the easiest swap if you want that creamy texture. It runs about 1 g net carbs per 1/4 cup, well under ricotta's 4.5 g, and the fat content is much higher so it holds up in both sweet and savory dishes. Cream cheese is another solid pick at roughly 1.6 g net carbs for 1/4 cup (about 2 oz), and it works anywhere you'd spread or bake the soft stuff. For a closer crumbly stand-in, try whole-milk cottage cheese strained well, which lands near 3 g net carbs per 1/4 cup. Not zero, but lower, with a bit more protein per bite.
Track Your Ketone Levels
The Keto-Mojo meter is the gold standard for confirming you're actually in ketosis. Know your numbers - don't guess.