In this article
Editorial update: September 29, 2026. Text prepared with AI support from the indicated sources. No independent clinical review. General information, not an individual meal plan.
Short answer
By carb count, it fits: salami has 2.9 g of carbohydrate per 100 g, and most keto plans accept processed meats. The caution is another matter: the World Health Organization classifies processed meat as carcinogenic to humans, and risk increases with amount.
How many carbs does salami have?
| Food | Total carbohydrate (g) | Protein (g) | Fat (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salami | 2.9 | 25.8 | 30.6 |
| Mortadella | 5.8 | 12.0 | 21.6 |
Salami has 30.6 g of fat and 25.8 g of protein per 100 g; mortadella appears for comparison.
What keto lists say
The Harvard Nutrition Source notes that most keto plans allow foods rich in saturated fat, such as fatty cuts of meat, processed meats, lard, and butter. Walter Willett, professor at Harvard, reminds that there are no long-term studies with people on keto and suggests favoring unsaturated fats; the same page cites as sources nuts, seeds, avocado, vegetable oils, and fatty fish.
What WHO says about processed meat
WHO defines processed meat as meat transformed by salting, curing, fermentation, smoking, or other processes to enhance flavor or preserve, a definition that salami fits. Processed meat is in Group 1, “carcinogenic to humans”: evidence shows that consuming it causes colorectal cancer. Risk increases with amount consumed, and the evaluated data did not allow concluding whether a safe level exists. Many national guidelines recommend limiting processed meat and red meat.
Before changing your diet, talk with a doctor or dietitian, especially if you have diabetes or another condition, use medication, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding. The 7-day menu shows other proteins to vary. Precautions before starting are in risks and cautions of the ketogenic diet.
Sources
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, The Nutrition Source: Diet Review: Ketogenic Diet for Weight Loss
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, The Nutrition Source: Emphasizing unsaturated fats on a ketogenic diet
- World Health Organization: Carcinogenicity of red and processed meat (questions and answers)
- TACO – Brazilian Food Composition Table, 4th revised and expanded edition (NEPA/Unicamp)
Mariana is passionate about a healthy lifestyle.
