Is Canned Sweetened Cranberry Sauce Keto-Friendly?
The keto diet is definitely not a passing fad as it continues to draw attention from people aiming to lose weight and become healthier. As we navigate the do's and don'ts of this high-fat, low-carb diet, questions arise about various foods. One such question is about the classic holiday component, Cranberry Sauce, Canned, Sweetened. Yes, we're referring to the tangy, vibrant condiment often seen accompanying turkey during Thanksgiving dinners, with its sweet-tart flavor and its jellied texture. The question is, can this well-loved sauce be incorporated into a ketogenic diet?
Understanding the Keto Diet
Before we dive into the specifics of this type of Cranberry Sauce, it's important to grasp the central principles of the keto diet. The main focus of this diet is to consume a high fat intake (about 70-80% of daily calories), moderate quantity of protein, and minimal carbs (usually under 50 grams of net carbs per day). The main aim here? It’s to get your body into a 'ketosis' state. This is when your body prefers to use fats as fuel instead of carbohydrates.
Nutritional InformationPer (1 Cup (277.0g)):
Per 100g:
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Cranberry Sauce, Canned,Swtnd is not keto-friendly. It's best avoided if you're trying to maintain ketosis. |
Let's shift our focus to Cranberry Sauce, specifically the canned and sweetened variety. As a common accompaniment to poultry during festivities, it is certainly a household favorite. But is it keto-friendly?
Sweetened canned cranberry sauce is high in sugar, which translates into carbs. These carbs are the ingredients that deliver its sweet taste and gelatinous texture. Theoretically, this should give us a clue about its carb content per serving.
Unfortunately, sweetened canned cranberry sauce is not keto-friendly. A typical serving contains approximately 108g carbs, exceeding the moderate carb intake of 4 to 8 grams per serving. This overshoots even the limit of foods that should be consumed sparingly on a keto diet (13-18g per serving).
Beyond its macronutrients, however, cranberry sauce does offer some health benefits. It contains Vitamin C and fiber, among others. But if you're on a keto diet and trying to maintain ketosis, it's probably best to skip this side dish or seek out lower-carb alternatives.
