Dragon fruit

fruits

Dragon fruit

7/ 10Good
Controversy: 5.6

Rated by 11 diets

7 approve2 caution2 avoid
Is Dragon fruit Healthy?

Yes — Dragon fruit is broadly considered healthy. 7 out of 11 diets approve it.

Nutrition Facts
Per 100g

Diet Ratings

Keto2/10AVOID

Dragon fruit contains approximately 9-10g net carbs per 100g. High sugar content and low fiber relative to carbs makes it incompatible with ketogenic diet.

Vegan9/10APPROVED

Whole plant food, tropical fruit. Completely plant-based with no animal-derived ingredients or processing concerns.

Paleo8/10APPROVED

Tropical fruit with no grains, legumes, or processing. Naturally available fruit that fits paleo framework. Low glycemic impact relative to sugar content due to fiber.

Mediterranean7/10APPROVED

Tropical fruit with high water content, fiber, and vitamin C. Low sugar relative to calories. Minimal processing when fresh. Not traditional to Mediterranean region but aligns with fruit emphasis.

iSome Mediterranean diet purists prioritize locally-grown and traditionally-consumed fruits over exotic imports, though modern interpretations embrace diverse fruits meeting nutritional criteria.

Carnivore1/10AVOID

Tropical fruit with high carbohydrate and sugar content. Plant-derived food excluded from all carnivore diet protocols.

Whole309/10APPROVED

Dragon fruit is a whole, unprocessed fruit with no excluded ingredients. It is naturally compliant with all Whole30 rules.

Low-FODMAP7/10APPROVED

Dragon fruit appears low-FODMAP at typical servings based on limited Monash testing, with low fructose and polyol content. However, comprehensive FODMAP testing is limited.

iMonash University has limited published data on dragon fruit. Some clinical practitioners recommend caution due to incomplete testing, though available evidence suggests low-FODMAP status at standard portions (approximately 150-200g).

DASH8/10APPROVED

Low-calorie fruit with good fiber content, vitamin C, and minimal sodium. Natural sugars present but overall DASH-compatible.

Zone6/10CAUTION

Moderate glycemic index with high water content and fiber. Usable in Zone meals but requires portion control due to natural sugar content. Better than high-glycemic fruits but not ideal.

Anti-Inflammatory7/10APPROVED

Rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and polyphenols. Low calorie, low glycemic load. Prebiotic fiber supports gut health. Minimal inflammatory compounds.

GLP-1 Friendly5/10CAUTION

Dragon fruit is low calorie (60 cal per cup) and high in fiber (3.1g per cup), but is primarily carbohydrate-based with minimal protein (1.2g per cup). For GLP-1 patients, every calorie should provide protein or substantial micronutrient density. Dragon fruit is nutrient-sparse relative to alternatives. Works in small portions as a side, but should not be a primary fruit choice.

iSome GLP-1 specialists view dragon fruit favorably due to its low calorie density and fiber content, while others note that the minimal protein and micronutrient density make it less ideal than protein-rich or micronutrient-dense alternatives.

Controversy Index

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

Consensus5.6Divisive

Diet-Specific Tips for Dragon fruit

Vegan 9/10
  • whole food
  • fruit
  • no processing
  • nutrient-dense
Paleo 8/10
  • Whole fruit
  • Tropical availability
  • Fiber-rich
  • No anti-nutrients
Mediterranean 7/10
  • high fiber
  • low sugar density
  • fresh whole fruit
  • non-traditional source
Whole30 9/10
  • Whole fruit
  • No processing
  • No added sugar
  • No excluded ingredients
Low-FODMAP 7/10
  • Limited Monash testing available
  • Low fructose profile
  • Minimal polyol content
DASH 8/10
  • Low sodium
  • Good fiber
  • Vitamin C rich
  • Low calorie density
Zone 6/10
  • Moderate glycemic load
  • High water content
  • Reasonable fiber
  • Natural sugars present
  • Antioxidants
  • Vitamin C
  • Prebiotic fiber
  • Low glycemic load
  • Polyphenols
  • Low calorie density
  • High fiber content
  • Minimal protein
  • Moderate micronutrient density
  • High water content
Last reviewed: Our methodology