Jalapenos: A Spicy Keto-Friendly Superfood?

Jalapenos are a keto-friendly food, with only 0.5g of net carbs per serving. They are a great way to add a spicy kick to your meal without impacting your carb count. Jalapeno poppers are a popular keto snack, made by stuffing the peppers with cheese and wrapping them in bacon before baking.

Jalapeños are keto-friendly

Jalapeños are a popular ingredient in many keto recipes, as they add a spicy kick without impacting a meal's carb count. They are also a good source of vitamin C, providing 18% of your daily value, and are said to have a range of health benefits, including boosting metabolism, aiding weight loss, and improving heart health.

When preparing jalapeños, it is important to wear gloves to protect your skin from the spicy compounds. If you forget and then touch your eyes, it will be painful. It is also recommended to remove the white membranes inside the pepper, as this is where most of the spiciness comes from.

Jalapeño poppers are a well-loved keto snack. They can be made by stuffing the peppers with a mixture of cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and bacon, then baking or frying.

Jalapeño poppers are keto-friendly

Secondly, be mindful of portion size. Jalapeno peppers are spicy, so most people don't eat as large a portion as they would with a milder pepper. This means that a single serving of one jalapeno pepper is usually enough and won't interfere with ketosis.

Finally, when preparing jalapenos, wear gloves to protect your skin from the spicy compounds. If you don't have gloves, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling the peppers. Now, here is a delicious keto-friendly jalapeño popper recipe:

Ingredients:

• 8 jalapeno peppers, halved and de-seeded
• 8 slices of bacon, cut in half
• 3 oz (or 1/2 cup) of cream cheese, softened
• 1/4-1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4-1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 375-400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Fry or microwave the bacon until crispy, then set aside to cool. Chop the bacon into bits if you fried it.
• In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix well.
• Spoon the cheese mixture into each jalapeno half.
• Wrap each filled jalapeno with a half slice of bacon, securing it with a toothpick if needed.
• Place the wrapped jalapenos on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon is fully cooked and golden brown.
• Enjoy your delicious and keto-friendly jalapeño poppers!

Jalapeños are spicy

The age of the pepper and the amount of stress the plant has been under also affect the heat of a jalapeño. Older peppers with white lines or flecks, like stretch marks, tend to be hotter. These marks are indicative of the stress the pepper plant has endured, such as dry soil between waterings. The smoother the pepper, the younger and milder it is.

Red jalapeños are older than green jalapeños and tend to be hotter, especially if they have a lot of striations. However, they are also sweeter than green jalapeños.

When preparing jalapeños, it is important to wear gloves to protect your skin from the oils of the pepper, which can cause burning. Removing the seeds and inner ribs will reduce the heat, while adding seeds will increase it.

Jalapeños are a popular ingredient in keto recipes as they are low in carbs and can add a spicy kick to meals.

Jalapeños have health benefits

Jalapeños are a type of spicy chili pepper that has numerous health benefits. They are low in calories and packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Here are some of the health benefits of consuming jalapeños:

Weight Loss

Jalapeños may aid in weight loss by boosting metabolism, increasing fat burn, and reducing appetite. The capsaicinoids in jalapeños can boost metabolism by 4-5% per day and reduce abdominal fat and appetite.

Cancer Prevention

Jalapeños contain capsaicin, a compound with anti-cancer properties. Capsaicin inhibits the growth and division of cancer cells and slows the formation of new blood vessels around cancer tumors. It also prevents cancer from spreading to other areas of the body.

Pain Relief

Capsaicin, when used externally, is an effective pain reliever. It blocks pain receptors in the affected area, providing temporary relief. Capsaicin lotions and patches are often used to treat pain caused by the shingles virus, diabetic nerve pain, and chronic muscle and joint pain.

Stomach Ulcer Prevention

Contrary to popular belief, jalapeños do not cause or aggravate stomach ulcers. The capsaicin in jalapeños may protect the stomach by reducing inflammation and even helping to kill off H. pylori infections.

Heart Health

The capsaicin in jalapeños can help maintain heart health by reducing cholesterol and lipid levels, improving blood circulation, and lowering blood pressure. Additionally, jalapeños are rich in vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that helps protect against cardiovascular disease.

Infection Prevention

Jalapeños contain compounds that can prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and yeasts that cause infectious diseases. They are particularly effective against food-borne pathogens and can even stop cholera bacteria from producing toxins.

Jalapeños can be cooked in an air fryer or oven

Jalapenos can be cooked in an air fryer or an oven, and there are several recipes to choose from. One option is to make keto jalapeno poppers, which can be cooked in either an air fryer or an oven. To make these, first wash and slice the jalapenos in half, then scoop out the seeds and membranes with a spoon. It is recommended to wear gloves when handling jalapenos to avoid getting the oils on your skin. Next, mix together cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, and onion powder. Spoon this mixture into the jalapeno halves. Cut bacon slices in half and wrap each jalapeno with a slice of bacon.

To cook the jalapeno poppers in an air fryer, place them in the basket with some space around each popper. Air fry at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, or until the bacon is as crisp as you like. If using an oven, place the poppers on a rimmed baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp.

Another option for cooking jalapenos in an air fryer is to make crunchy air-fried jalapeno slices. To make these, first preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place some flour in one bowl, beat eggs in a second bowl, and place panko bread crumbs in a third bowl. Coat jalapeno rings first in flour, then in egg, and finally in the bread crumb mixture. Place the coated jalapeno rings in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping. Spray the tops with cooking spray and cook for 4 minutes. Flip the rings over, spray with more cooking spray, and cook for another 4 minutes. Repeat with any remaining jalapeno rings. Serve with ranch dressing for dipping.

Jalapenos can also be roasted in an oven. To do this, preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease a baking sheet with cooking spray. Wash and dry the jalapenos, then cut them in half, remove the stems, and de-seed. Place the jalapeno halves on the baking sheet with the inside facing up, spaced about one inch apart. Lightly spray with cooking oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Flip the jalapenos over and lightly spray the other side with cooking oil. Bake for 16-19 minutes, until the edges start to brown and the skin starts to separate. If you want your jalapenos to have more heat, you can leave the seeds in.

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