Asparagus

vegetables

Asparagus

9/ 10Excellent
Controversy: 5.3

Rated by 11 diets

9 approve1 caution1 avoid

How the diets react

Approves9
Caution1
Disapproves1
Is Asparagus Healthy?

Yes — Asparagus is broadly considered healthy. 9 out of 11 diets approve it.

Nutrition Facts
Per 100g
Calories
20kcal
Protein
2.2g
Carbs
3.9g
Fat
0.1g
Fiber
2.1g
Sugar
1.9g
Sodium
2mg

Diet Ratings

KetoApproved

Low net carbs (~2g per cup cooked). High fiber relative to carbs. Excellent keto vegetable. Roasts well with butter or oil.

VeganApproved

Whole plant food with no animal products or derivatives. Nutrient-dense vegetable suitable for vegan diets.

PaleoApproved

Asparagus is an unprocessed vegetable with excellent nutrient density and no anti-nutrients. Universally accepted across all paleo authorities.

MediterraneanApproved

Asparagus is a nutrient-dense vegetable common in Mediterranean regions. High in folate, vitamins A, C, and K. Low calorie and supports plant-based eating patterns. Traditionally prepared with olive oil.

CarnivoreAvoid

Asparagus is a plant-derived vegetable. Carnivore diet strictly excludes all vegetables and plant foods.

Whole30Approved

Whole vegetable explicitly allowed on Whole30. No excluded ingredients.

Low-FODMAPCaution

Monash University confirms asparagus is low-FODMAP only at restricted portions (6 spears or 90g). Contains fructans that accumulate with larger servings.

DASHApproved

Core DASH vegetable. Low sodium, excellent source of potassium, folate, and fiber. Supports cardiovascular and kidney health. Minimal processing needed.

ZoneApproved

Ideal Zone vegetable. Very low carb (~2g net carbs per cup), high in glutathione (antioxidant), and excellent nutrient density. Sears explicitly recommends asparagus as primary vegetable choice.

Cruciferous vegetable rich in glutathione, a master antioxidant. Contains folate, vitamins K and C. High in inulin (prebiotic fiber) supporting gut health and reducing systemic inflammation.

GLP-1 FriendlyApproved

Excellent fiber content, low calorie, high water content, minimal fat, nutrient-dense (folate, vitamins A/C/K), easy to digest. Strong satiety signal in small portions. Ideal GLP-1 companion vegetable.

Controversy Index

Score range: 19/10. Higher controversy = more disagreement between diets.

Consensus5.3Divisive

Diet-Specific Tips for Asparagus

Keto 8/10
  • 2g net carbs per cup cooked
  • High fiber content
  • Good fat-absorption vehicle
  • Widely accepted keto choice
Vegan 9/10
  • Whole plant food
  • No animal products
  • Good source of folate
Paleo 9/10
  • High nutrient density
  • Low carbohydrate
  • Unprocessed
  • Prebiotic fiber
Mediterranean 8/10
  • High folate content
  • Multiple vitamins and minerals
  • Low calorie density
  • Traditional Mediterranean preparation with olive oil
Whole30 9/10
  • Whole vegetable
  • Unprocessed
  • Nutrient-dense
Low-FODMAP 5/10
  • Moderate fructan content
  • Dose-dependent FODMAP status
  • Monash tested with clear portion cutoff
DASH 9/10
  • Low sodium
  • High potassium
  • Good fiber content
  • Rich in folate
  • Diuretic properties
Zone 9/10
  • Very low carb density
  • High glutathione content
  • Excellent nutrient density
  • Sears-recommended
  • glutathione
  • prebiotic fiber
  • vitamin K
  • antioxidants
  • excellent fiber
  • low calorie density
  • high water content
  • nutrient-dense
  • strong satiety signal
Is Asparagus Healthy? Diet Ratings & Controversy Score | FoodRef.ai