Is Sifted Powdered Sugar Keto-Friendly?
The rise of the keto diet has led to an increased curiosity about whether our favorite foods fit into this high-fat, low-carb regimen. Today, we’re investigating the question of powdered sugar, sifted – or what's more commonly known as confectioner's sugar. That sweet, fine substance we often sprinkle on pancakes, use in baking recipes or add to frostings. It's certainly a delightful addition to many popular dishes, but is powdered sugar keto-friendly?
Understanding the Keto Diet
Before we delve into the specifics of powdered sugar, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the core concepts of the ketogenic diet. Primarily, the diet emphasizes on high fat consumption (which accounts for around 70-80% of daily caloric intake), moderate amounts of protein, and a significantly low carbohydrate intake (usually below 50 grams of net carbs per day). The main objective? To put your body into a state of ketosis where it burns fat as its primary fuel source rather than relying on carbohydrates.
Nutritional InformationPer (1 oz (28.35g)):
Per 100g:
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Powdered Sugar, Sifted is not keto-friendly. It's best avoided if you're trying to maintain ketosis. |
So, let's talk about powdered sugar, which is commonly used in various kinds of baking and cooking.
Powdered sugar, also known as icing or confectioner’s sugar, is actually granulated sugar that has been mechanically ground into a very fine powder. It is then mixed with a small amount of cornstarch to prevent caking.
In terms of macronutrients, powdered sugar is almost purely carbohydrates. It might surprise you to know that a single tablespoon of powdered sugar contains 6g of carbs. As such, it falls into the category of food that is somewhat keto-friendly as per our keto carb scale. What this means is, you can include powdered sugar in your keto diet but only in moderation.
However, unlike asparagus, powdered sugar is devoid of fiber, vitamins or minerals. Therefore, while using it sparingly in a keto diet can be justified, it doesn't offer much in terms of nutritional benefits. Thus, it's ideal to substitute powdered sugar with alternative sweeteners that have lower carb content or more nutritional benefits if you're adhering to a strict ketogenic diet.
