Lychee

fruits

Lychee

5/ 10Mixed
Controversy: 5.5

Rated by 11 diets

2 approve7 caution2 avoid
Is Lychee Healthy?

It depends — Lychee is a mixed bag. Some diets approve it while others urge caution. Context and quantity matter.

Nutrition Facts
Per 100g
Calories
66kcal
Protein
0.8g
Carbs
17g
Fat
0.4g
Fiber
1.3g
Sugar
15g
Sodium
1mg

Diet Ratings

Keto1/10AVOID

Lychee contains 14.3g net carbs per 100g with very high sugar content. Completely incompatible with ketogenic diet. Even small quantities exceed carb limits.

Vegan9/10APPROVED

Pure plant-based tropical fruit with no animal products or derivatives. Whole food with good vitamin C and antioxidant content.

Paleo5/10CAUTION

Unprocessed tropical fruit but moderate-to-high sugar content. Ancestrally available in Asian regions but should be consumed in moderation. Lower nutrient density relative to sugar content.

iSome paleo sources accept lychees as occasional whole fruits; others recommend limiting due to sugar concentration and lower micronutrient density compared to berries.

Mediterranean6/10CAUTION

Lychees are whole fruits with vitamin C and antioxidants, but are relatively high in natural sugars and calorie-dense. They are not traditional to Mediterranean regions and should be consumed in moderation if included.

iSome Mediterranean diet practitioners accept lychees as occasional fruits given their whole-food status and antioxidant content, viewing the natural sugar concern as manageable through portion control. Others exclude them as non-traditional and sugar-concentrated.

Carnivore1/10AVOID

Plant-derived fruit with high sugar and carbohydrate content. Completely incompatible with carnivore diet.

Whole309/10APPROVED

Whole fruit with natural sugars only. No added ingredients or processing. Fully compliant with Whole30.

Low-FODMAP5/10CAUTION

Lychee has limited Monash University testing data. It contains moderate to high fructose. Small servings (approximately 100g) may be tolerated, but larger amounts likely exceed FODMAP thresholds.

iMonash University testing on lychee is limited. Clinical practitioners have varying guidance; some recommend avoidance due to fructose concentration, while others permit small measured portions.

DASH6/10CAUTION

Low sodium and good vitamin C source, but moderate-to-high natural sugar content. Acceptable in moderation; portion control important for blood sugar management.

iNIH DASH guidelines permit lychee as a fruit; updated clinical interpretation emphasizes glycemic load concerns given 15g sugar per 100g, particularly for diabetic hypertensive patients.

Zone4/10CAUTION

Moderate to high glycemic index with moderate natural sugar content. While nutrient-dense with polyphenols, the glycemic load is higher than ideal Zone fruits. Requires careful portioning and is less favorable than berries or citrus.

Lychee contains some polyphenols and vitamin C, but has moderate-to-high sugar content and glycemic load. Acceptable occasionally in small portions. Less anti-inflammatory benefit relative to sugar content compared to berries or citrus.

iSome research highlights lychee's polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity. However, sugar concentration and glycemic impact limit its ranking in strict anti-inflammatory protocols.

GLP-1 Friendly4/10CAUTION

Higher sugar (15g per 100g), low fiber (1.3g per 100g), moderate calorie density (66 cal per 100g). Minimal protein. Small portion size naturally limits intake, but sugar concentration is concerning. Better as occasional treat than regular snack.

iSome GLP-1 practitioners allow lychee in small portions due to natural portion control; others recommend avoiding due to sugar-to-fiber ratio and lack of protein benefit.

Controversy Index

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

Consensus5.5Divisive

Diet-Specific Tips for Lychee

Vegan 9/10
  • 100% plant-based
  • Whole food
  • No processing required
  • Rich in vitamin C
Paleo 5/10
  • Moderate-to-high sugar content
  • Whole unprocessed fruit
  • Lower nutrient density relative to sugar
  • Portion control important
Mediterranean 6/10
  • High natural sugar
  • Moderate calorie density
  • Good vitamin C
  • Not traditional Mediterranean
Whole30 9/10
  • Whole fruit
  • Natural sugars
  • No additives
Low-FODMAP 5/10
  • Moderate to high fructose content
  • Limited Monash testing data
  • Portion-dependent FODMAP load
DASH 6/10
  • 1mg sodium per 100g
  • High vitamin C content
  • Moderate-to-high natural sugars
  • Low fiber relative to sugar
Zone 4/10
  • Moderate-high glycemic index
  • Moderate natural sugars
  • Polyphenol content present
  • Portion control essential
  • Moderate polyphenol content
  • Vitamin C present
  • Moderate-to-high sugar content
  • Moderate glycemic load
  • High sugar content
  • Low fiber
  • No protein
  • Moderate calorie density
  • Small natural portion size
Last reviewed: Our methodology
Is Lychee Healthy? Diet Ratings & Controversy Score | FoodRef.ai