A Rant About Defining Keto Products

Something that drives me absolutely crazy is when people try to define keto products as “certified keto-friendly” or just toss the label of keto onto packaging. Everyone is trying to make a living off the low carb culture. Okay, okay, I know I am also out here trying to earn a living talking about keto, but at least my experiences are legit. I walk the walk, just don’t talk the talk.

Is There Actual Keto Certification?

Turns out there is. The Paleo Foundation has set certain standards for calling something keto. For meals and meal replacements, there can be no more than 10 grams of net carbs in a serving. Snacks can only have 6 grams of net carbs per serving. Condiments have a maximum of 2 net carbs per 0.5 ounces (or 2 tablespoons). If ingredients are not processed much, they can add a bit of net carbs to these totals. But, overall, if a product is keto certified by the Paleo Foundation, it meets these guidelines.

Any other labels are a free-for-all. The FDA does not regulate the term “keto” at all. So, if your product remotely meets the standard of lower carb, you can plunk that label on it. It’s up to the buyer to read the label and find out for themselves if it’s truly keto-friendly.

Keto Products that Replace Carb Filled Foods

Another part of the label keto that drives me nuts is how we name products after our traditional carb-filled foods. One example of this is “keto bread.” You make bread from yeast, sugar, and flour. When I make a “keto bread” version, it does not resemble traditional bread at all. It’s based in eggs or cheese, rather than flour and sugar.

Another example is zucchini “noodles.” I call them zoodles. These are nothing like traditional pasta that uses flour. It’s zucchini that you run through a spiralizer. But, people refer back to the traditional names of things.

Embrace a new way of eating. I reject the carb-heavy mashed potatoes and eat pureed cauliflower instead. I pour tomato sauce over my spiralized zucchini. My “flatbread” rivals anything you can make with traditional ingredients. Embrace the keto and reject the past.

Psychological Dependence on Keto Products

Obviously, I’m exaggerating a little to get my point across. But, I truly do think that finding keto replacements for foods can be dangerous. It’s a slippery slope from replacement foods to going back to the real thing. I enjoy my keto meals without potatoes or rice. If you rely too much on replacements, you can begin to crave the real items. Especially with things like french fries or onion rings.

I’m certainly not perfect. You can’t live a certain way for 48 years and then just change everything completely without looking back. There are some keto labeled products that I enjoy and that act as replacements for things I used to eat regularly. Mr. Tortilla is one good example. They only have 1 gram of net carbs in each one, and they are an amazing base for fajitas or tacos. And, I have to admit, I can’t wait for our first BBQ of the season after finding Carbonaut buns. Lettuce wraps are great, but very messy.

A Final Thought on Keto Products

My final thought is that not all keto products are equal. Some are truly good products, like the ones I listed above. Others are playing on the fad diet mentality to get people to buy them. It comes down to reading labels and deciding for yourself if something is truly keto-friendly.

Just be aware that sometimes we crave things that represent our old way of thinking. And when the replacement is not as good as the original, we crave the original. Especially when you are starting out on keto, try to embrace a new way of eating as much as you can. It will pay off in the long run!

Wendy