Mission Tortillas: Keto-Friendly Carb Option?

Mission Foods has released a range of low-carb tortillas, including the Carb Balance Fajita Whole Wheat Tortillas, which have just 1g net carb per serving and zero grams of sugar. The brand also offers tortillas with zero net carbs, which are made with modified wheat starch, water, vital wheat gluten, and vegetable shortening. While these low-carb options can be a convenient choice for those following a ketogenic diet, it's important to consider the other ingredients and their potential impact on ketosis. Some people may find that these tortillas are not suitable due to their gluten or soy content. Additionally, the net carb count and the presence of certain ingredients may affect their compatibility with a keto lifestyle.

Carbohydrate content

Mission Foods offers a variety of low-carb tortillas and wraps, which are marketed as having a reduced carbohydrate content compared to their original products. The exact carbohydrate content varies across the product line.

The Carb Balance Fajita Whole Wheat Tortillas, for instance, contain 1g of net carbs per serving. The Soft Taco Whole Wheat Tortillas, Street Tacos Whole Wheat Tortillas, Burrito Whole Wheat Tortillas, Spinach Wraps, and Fajita Whole Wheat Tortillas all receive a 2.5-star rating for keto friendliness, indicating a potentially significant impact on ketosis. These products are likely to contain 3-4g of net carbs per tortilla, which is still considerably lower than the 38g of carbs in the original Mission wraps.

The Zero Net Carb tortillas, available in Original, Sriracha Ranch, and Sundried Tomato Basil flavours, are, as the name suggests, advertised as containing zero net carbs. However, it is important to note that the term "net carbs" refers to total carbohydrates minus fibre, which is not included in the calculation in some countries, such as Australia. Therefore, these products may still contain a small amount of total carbohydrates.

While these low-carb options can be a convenient choice for those on a ketogenic diet, it is worth noting that they are not entirely free of carbohydrates and may still impact ketosis if consumed in large quantities. Additionally, some of these products contain gluten, soy, and other ingredients that may be unsuitable for individuals with specific dietary restrictions or sensitivities.

Overall, while Mission's low-carb tortillas and wraps offer a reduced carbohydrate option, their impact on ketosis and suitability for a keto diet may vary depending on individual needs and consumption patterns.

Taste and texture

Mission low-carb tortillas are said to taste almost identical to ordinary Mission tortillas. They are flexible, soft, and easy to wrap, but tough to break. They can easily withstand a traditional soft wrap, and can be used to make tortilla chips.

Some people have said that the low-carb tortillas taste like cardboard, but others have said they are fantastic in terms of both taste and texture. They are versatile and can be used for wraps, enchilada bakes, burritos, thin-crust pizzas, and sandwiches. They can also be used to make lasagna noodles, and are great for travel.

The tortillas are available in a variety of flavors, including sriracha ranch, sundried tomato basil, garlic herb, and original.

The tortillas are made with a variety of ingredients, including modified wheat starch, water, vital wheat gluten, vegetable shortening, and salt.

Nutritional value

The nutritional value of Mission low-carb tortillas varies depending on the type of tortilla. Here is a breakdown of the nutritional information for some of the varieties:

Zero Net Carbs Tortillas:

These tortillas are marketed as having zero net carbs, but it's important to note that they still contain carbohydrates. The total carbohydrate content is not specified on the Mission Foods website. However, they do list the following ingredients:

• Modified wheat starch
• Water
• Vital wheat gluten
• Vegetable shortening (interesterified and hydrogenated soybean oils)
• Salt
• Calcium propionate (preservative)
• Sodium acid pyrophosphate
• Baking soda
• Distilled monoglycerides
• Sorbic acid (preservative)
• Fumaric acid
• Cellulose gum
• Sunflower oil
• Natural flavors
• Steviol glycosides

Carb Balance Fajita Whole Wheat Tortillas:

These tortillas contain just 1g of net carbs per serving and zero grams of sugar. They are high in fiber and are made with the following ingredients:

• Water
• Modified wheat starch
• Enriched bleached flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
• Wheat gluten
• Vegetable shortening (interesterified and hydrogenated soybean oils)
• Wheat gluten isolate
• Salt
• Baking soda
• Sodium acid pyrophosphate
• Cellulose gum
• Natural flavor
• Sucralose
• Fumaric acid
• Calcium propionate and sorbic acid (preservatives)

Soft Taco Flour Tortillas:

While the exact nutritional information for these tortillas is not available, they are rated as having a heavy impact on ketosis and are given a keto-friendly rating of 2.5 stars by Keto Picks.

Soft Taco Whole Wheat Tortillas:

These tortillas also receive a keto-friendly rating of 2.5 stars and are likely to have a significant impact on ketosis. Unfortunately, the specific nutritional values are not provided.

Street Tacos Whole Wheat Tortillas:

Like the previous two varieties, these tortillas are rated as having a heavy impact on ketosis and receive a keto-friendly rating of 2.5 stars. The exact nutritional information is not provided.

Burrito Whole Wheat Tortillas:

With a keto-friendly rating of 2.5 stars, these tortillas are likely to affect ketosis. However, the detailed nutritional values are not available.

Spinach Wraps:

Rated at 2.5 stars for keto-friendliness, these wraps are expected to significantly influence ketosis. The specific nutritional information is not provided.

Fajita Flour Tortillas:

These tortillas are given a keto-friendly rating of 2 stars and are likely to affect ketosis. However, the exact nutritional values are not listed.

It's important to remember that the keto diet aims to keep carbohydrate consumption extremely low. While these low-carb tortillas may be suitable for those following a less restrictive diet, they may not align with strict keto guidelines. Additionally, individual responses to these products may vary, and some people may find that they can include these tortillas in their keto diet without compromising their ketosis.

Health benefits

Weight Loss

The Mission low-carb wraps can be a useful tool for weight loss. Several people who have incorporated these wraps into their diets have reported successful weight loss journeys. One person's husband, who was medically discharged from the military and had difficulty exercising, lost 15 lbs in his first month of keto, which included eating Mission tortillas, and was able to reduce his reliance on a cane. Another person reported losing 80 lbs in 11 months while eating 1-2 tortillas almost daily.

Diabetes

The low-carb wraps from Mission can be a good option for people with diabetes. Several diabetics have reported that the wraps do not shift their blood sugar levels like bread or regular tortillas. One person with type 2 diabetes reported that these wraps do not raise their blood sugar levels at all.

Convenience

The Mission low-carb wraps are convenient for people following a keto diet. They are easy to find in most supermarkets in Australia, America, and the UK, and they are also simple to use and versatile. They can be used for wraps, burritos, enchiladas, pizzas, sandwiches, and more. They are also durable and flexible, making them ideal for travel.

Taste

The taste of the Mission low-carb wraps is very similar to that of ordinary wraps, which can help people stick to their keto diets. The texture and taste are soft and flexible, and they can withstand traditional fillings without tearing.

Alternative to Lettuce Wraps

For those who do not like lettuce wraps, the Mission low-carb wraps can be a good alternative. While lettuce wraps are often recommended as a keto-friendly option, some people may prefer the taste and texture of the Mission wraps.

Bloating

Some people have reported that the Mission low-carb wraps do not cause bloating, which can be a common issue with other keto-friendly options. One person specifically mentioned that they had "zero bloating" after eating these wraps.

Alternative options

While Mission low-carb wraps are a good option for those looking to reduce their carbohydrate intake, they may not be suitable for a ketogenic diet due to their relatively high net carb content and the presence of non-keto-friendly ingredients such as gluten, soy, wheat, and grains.

Homemade Low-Carb Tortillas

• Coconut Flour Tortillas: Coconut flour is low-carb, gluten-free, and abundant in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are easily absorbed and can enhance ketone production. A simple recipe includes one large egg, coconut flour, and asiago cheese.
• Almond Flour Tortillas: Almond flour is made from ground almonds and is a good source of monounsaturated fat, dietary fiber, iron, and other essential nutrients. To make almond flour tortillas, combine almond flour, coconut flour, water, egg white, and salt to form a dough, then cook in a skillet with avocado oil.
• Pork Rind Tortillas: Pork rinds are a popular low-carb snack that can be ground into a flour-like consistency. To make pork rind tortillas, grind pork rinds into a fine texture, add water, eggs, and seasoning, form into a dough, and cook in a skillet with avocado or coconut oil.
• Cloud Bread: Cloud bread is a light and airy bread with less than 0.5 grams of carbs per slice. It can be used as a replacement for tortillas, sandwich bread, or hamburger buns. To make cloud bread, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form, then fold in cream cheese and cream of tartar to form a dough. Bake at 300°F for 30 minutes.

Store-Bought Low-Carb Tortillas

• Siete Foods Tortillas: Gluten-free, paleo, and keto-friendly tortillas made with almond flour, coconut and cassava flour, or a cassava and chia blend. The almond flour variety is the only truly low-carb option, with 16 grams of net carbs per serving.
• NUCO Coconut Wraps: These wraps have a strong coconut flavor and are organic and gluten-free, but they are higher in carbs than other options.
• Crepini Egg Thins: Gluten-free and sugar-free, but lacking in flavor and on the thinner side.
• Joseph's Lavash Bread: Similar to Arabic flatbread, this option is relatively low-carb due to its thin texture. It contains flax, wheat, and oats.
• La Tortilla Factory Low Carb Tortillas: Sturdy tortillas that can hold up to your favorite low-carb salsa or hot sauce. These are similar to Mission Carb Balance tortillas but with a slightly healthier taste.

Frequently asked questions