Is Cream Cheese Good for Keto
If you’re following a ketogenic, or keto, diet, you might find yourself scrutinizing every food label and ingredient list to ensure it meets your low-carb, high-fat requirements. Cream cheese, a mainstay in many delicious recipes and breakfast spreads, could be one of those items under scrutiny. So the million-dollar question is: Is cream cheese good for keto?
In short, the answer is a resounding yes! That’s right – cream cheese can indeed be part of your keto-friendly menu. Cream cheese has fewer carbs than other dairy products like milk or yogurt making it a great choice for those on a strict ketogenic diet.
However, while cream cheese may fit into your macros perfectly well with its high fat content and low carb count, it’s important not to overdo it. I’ll explain why as we delve further into this topic in the subsequent sections of this article.
Understanding Keto and Cream Cheese
Let’s dive right into the world of keto and cream cheese. If you’re following a ketogenic diet, you’re probably always on the lookout for keto-friendly foods. And guess what? Cream cheese is one of them!
It might surprise you to know that cream cheese is an excellent choice for those on a low-carb lifestyle. Why, you ask? It’s due to its high-fat content. On a keto diet, about 60-75% of your daily caloric intake should come from fats. The remaining 15-30% should be from proteins with only 5-10% from carbs.
But remember – moderation is key! While it’s tempting to slather everything in sight with this creamy delight, don’t go overboard. Excessive consumption could lead to an increase in calories which may slow down or stall weight loss progress.
And here’s another thing – not all cream cheeses are created equal! Some brands may add sugar or other unwanted ingredients so make sure you read the labels before purchasing.
The Nutritional Breakdown of Cream Cheese
When it comes to cream cheese, it’s a pretty interesting food item. Not only does it have a rich, creamy texture and a mild, tangy flavor that we all love, but its nutritional profile also makes it quite suitable for the keto diet.
Let’s delve into what exactly is in cream cheese. Generally speaking, per 100 grams serving size, here’s what you’re getting:
- Calories: 342
- Fat: 34g
- Protein: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
From these numbers alone, you can see that cream cheese is high in fats and low in carbs – which is essentially what the ketogenic diet calls for.
But wait! There’s more. Besides these macronutrients, cream cheese also contains some useful micronutrients. It’s got a decent amount of Vitamin A and small amounts of other vitamins like Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B12 and Vitamin E. Additionally, cream cheese provides essential minerals such as calcium and phosphorus.
Now let’s talk about sugar content because I know many folks on keto are particularly concerned about this aspect. Good news – your beloved spreadable cheesiness contains very little sugar – usually around just 3 grams per serving.
What about sodium? Well yes, like most cheeses out there, cream cheese does come with a fair bit of salt – around 321 mg per serving to be exact. But remember that losing water weight on keto can lower your body’s sodium levels too so having some extra isn’t necessarily bad!