Cheese Whiz: A Keto Diet's Best Friend?

Cheez Whiz is a popular cheese spread that has been around for decades, but is it keto-friendly? The answer may surprise you. While Cheez Whiz might seem like a convenient and tasty option for those following a keto diet, the reality is that it may not be the best choice. In this paragraph, we will explore the ingredients of Cheez Whiz, its nutritional information, and whether it fits within the guidelines of a keto diet. We will also discuss alternatives and provide a recipe for a keto-friendly cheese sauce that you can make at home. So, is Cheez Whiz keto? Let's find out!

What is the nutritional value of Cheese Whiz?

Cheese Whiz is a popular cheese sauce product with a distinctive bright orange colour. While it is a convenient and tasty addition to many dishes, it is important to consider its nutritional value.

A serving of traditional Cheese Whiz contains 102 calories, with a breakdown of 82.8% fat, 16.6% protein, and 0.6% carbohydrates. This means that it is high in fat and relatively low in protein and carbs.

When it comes to the specific nutrients, Cheese Whiz does offer some benefits. It contains calcium, which is important for bone health, and vitamin A, which is essential for maintaining healthy vision and immune function. However, it is also high in saturated fat and sodium. A single serving can contain up to 240mg of sodium, which is a significant amount considering the recommended daily intake is typically less than 2300mg.

Additionally, Cheese Whiz contains a range of other ingredients, including milk, cheese culture, and enzymes. It is important to note that it may also contain preservatives and artificial flavours, depending on the brand and variety. Some people may prefer to make their own Cheese Whiz at home to have more control over the ingredients and avoid any artificial additives.

Overall, while Cheese Whiz can be a tasty treat, it is important to consume it in moderation as part of a balanced diet. It is high in fat and sodium, so it should not be considered a staple food item.

What are the ingredients in Cheese Whiz?

Cheez Whiz is a brand of processed cheese sauce and spread produced by Kraft Foods. It was first sold in 1952 and continues to be in production today, albeit with some changes to the formulation.

In 1953, an ad in Kraft Foods' home city of Chicago listed the following as the product's original ingredients: "American Cheese, Water, Nonfat Dry Milk Solids, Condensed Whey, Sodium Phosphate, Cream, Worcestershire Sauce, Lactic Acid, Mustard, Salt, U.S. Certified Color--Moisture 52%, Milkfat 28%."

As of 2016, Kraft describes Cheez Whiz as a "cheese dip" and says that the product does include cheese. However, the company now lists the parts of cheese (such as cheese culture and milk) instead of cheese as a component itself. This change in the way ingredients are listed is common throughout the food industry and is often done without announcement.

The ingredients in Cheez Whiz as of 2016 are:

• Whey
• Milk
• Canola oil
• Maltodextrin
• Milk protein concentrate
• Sodium phosphate
• Modified food starch
• Salt
• Lactic acid
• Whey protein concentrate
• Mustard flour
• Worcestershire sauce (made from vinegar, molasses, corn syrup, water, salt, caramel color, garlic powder, sugar, spices (including celery), tamarind, and natural flavor)
• Sodium alginate
• Sorbic acid (as a preservative)
• Color added
• Cheese culture
• Enzymes
• Natural flavor

Is there a keto-friendly alternative to Cheese Whiz?

Cheez Whiz is a processed cheese sauce or spread by Kraft Foods. It is not keto-friendly because it is a high-carb processed food that contains unhealthy ingredients like sugar, canola oil, and modified starch. A 100g serving of Cheez Whiz contains 18.18g of net carbs, which is well above the daily limit of 20-30g of net carbs recommended to stay in ketosis.

However, there are several keto-friendly alternatives to Cheez Whiz that you can enjoy without compromising your ketosis. Here are some suggestions:

• Tastee Cheese Spread — This cheese spread has 0 net carbs and 8g of fats, making it an excellent alternative to Cheez Whiz.
• Kite Hill Chive Cream Cheese — This alternative has only 1g of net carbs and is high in fats. It does not contain non-keto ingredients such as sugar, artificial sweeteners, and highly refined oils.
• Galbani Mascarpone Cheese — This Italian-style, soft triple-cream cheese is low in carbs and high in fat, making it a delicious keto-friendly option. It's great for both savory and sweet dishes.
• Homemade Keto Cheese Sauce — You can also make your own keto-friendly cheese sauce at home. A simple recipe includes butter, cream cheese, mustard powder, and grated cheddar cheese. This sauce takes just a few minutes to make and uses minimal ingredients.

These alternatives will allow you to enjoy the taste and texture of cheese sauce while adhering to your keto diet.

What is the history of Cheese Whiz?

Cheese Whiz, a brand of processed cheese sauce and spread, was developed by a team of food scientists led by Edwin Traisman and produced by Kraft Foods. It was first sold in Britain in 1952 as a substitute for melted cheddar cheese on toast, or Welsh rarebit. It was then brought to the US a year later.

Kraft was already the number one cheese seller in the US by 1952, and business was booming in Britain, thanks to the company having sent processed cheese with allied soldiers during World War II. However, the cheese sauce used in Welsh rarebit was labor-intensive to make, so Kraft asked Traisman and his team to come up with a faster alternative. After a year and a half of experimentation, Cheese Whiz was born.

The product was originally made with quite a bit of real cheese, but in 2001, a change in taste was noticed by Dean Southworth, a member of the team that developed Cheese Whiz in the 1950s. Southworth described the new taste as "like axle grease". Indeed, the ingredients list no longer explicitly stated cheese, instead listing 27 other ingredients, including whey, corn syrup, and milk protein concentrate. A Kraft spokeswoman claimed that there was still cheese in the product, but less than before, and that the change was due to "adjustments in dairy sourcing".

Over the years, Kraft has altered the Cheese Whiz recipe due to changes in dairy sourcing and the regulatory environment, resulting in a reduction of cheese content. The company has also changed the way it lists ingredients, moving away from listing components (like cheese) to listing parts (such as milk and cheese culture).

How can I make keto cheese sauce?

How to Make Keto Cheese Sauce

Keto cheese sauce is a delicious, creamy, and savoury addition to any keto dieter's repertoire. It's extremely versatile and can be used as a dip, baked with a protein, or drizzled over vegetables. The best part? It's extremely easy to make and only requires a few common ingredients.

Ingredients:

• Butter
• Heavy Cream
• Unsweetened Almond Milk
• Cheddar Cheese

Optional Ingredients:

• Spices and seasonings of your choice (e.g. garlic powder, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, nutmeg, dry mustard powder)
• Other types of cheese (e.g. cream cheese, blue cheese)

Instructions:

Start by preparing your ingredients. Shred the cheddar cheese and measure out the butter, heavy cream, and almond milk.

Place all the ingredients in a small pot on the stove and set it to low heat. You can also use a medium-sized skillet.

Slowly whisk the cream into the butter, a little at a time, ensuring that the fats and liquids are fully combined. This is an important step to ensure that your sauce emulsifies properly.

Add the cheese a little at a time, stirring constantly until it is completely melted and smooth. You can use a pre-shredded bag of cheese, but shredding it yourself will reduce the number of carbs in your sauce.

If you want to add any spices or seasonings, now is the time to do so. Simply stir them into the sauce until combined.

Once your sauce is smooth and creamy, remove it from the heat and set it aside to cool for about 5 minutes. This will allow the sauce to thicken.

After it has cooled, your keto cheese sauce is ready to serve and enjoy!

Tips:

• Make sure to use unsweetened almond milk, as sweetened varieties may have added sugar and carbs.
• If you're reheating leftover sauce, add about 1 tablespoon of heavy cream to preserve the texture and flavour.
• For a thinner sauce, you can add a small amount of almond milk or vegetable stock to the saucepan.

Suggested Uses:

This keto cheese sauce is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas:

• Dip for raw or steamed vegetables (e.g. broccoli, cauliflower, celery, bell peppers, asparagus)
• Drizzled over low-carb chips (e.g. Quest Protein Chips)
• As a topping for nachos or baked tortilla chips
• In casseroles or cauliflower dishes
• On shirataki macaroni or low-carb noodles for a delicious mac and cheese
• With meatballs or hamburger
• On roasted vegetables (e.g. garlic broccoli, cauliflower rice, roasted cauliflower)

Frequently asked questions