Coleslaw On Keto: Friend Or Foe?

Coleslaw is a popular side dish, but is it keto-friendly? The answer may depend on the specific ingredients and preparation methods used. Store-bought and restaurant-style coleslaws often contain added sugars and carbohydrates, making them less suitable for a keto diet. However, with a few simple swaps, it's possible to make a keto-friendly version of this dish.

Coleslaw can be made keto-friendly by using a sugar substitute

Coleslaw is a side dish that typically consists of finely shredded raw cabbage with a dressing, usually either vinegar or mayonnaise-based. While it is usually a high-carb food due to the sugar content in the dressing, it can be made keto-friendly by using a sugar substitute.

When making keto coleslaw, it is important to use a sugar-free sweetener instead of sugar. This simple swap can save a lot of carbs and make the dish suitable for a keto diet. For example, one recipe suggests using a sugar-free sweetener such as Lakanto, while another recommends golden monk fruit sweetener as the best-tasting replacement for real sugar.

In addition to the sugar substitute, there are a few other ingredients that can be used to make keto coleslaw. These include:

• Shredded cabbage: This is the primary ingredient in coleslaw and can be easily purchased pre-shredded or shredded at home using a food processor or sharp knife.
• Mayonnaise: Regular mayonnaise works great in keto coleslaw, but Greek yogurt or avocado oil mayo can also be used for a lighter option.
• Pickle juice: This ingredient adds a hint of dill to the salad and can be substituted with apple cider vinegar.
• Heavy cream: This is used in the coleslaw dressing to make it creamier.
• Spices: These can include garlic salt, black pepper, chives, or Nature's Seasons blend.

By using a sugar substitute and choosing low-carb ingredients, coleslaw can be made keto-friendly and enjoyed as a side dish with various proteins such as grilled chicken, steak, or shrimp skewers.

KFC coleslaw is not keto-friendly

According to their website, KFC's coleslaw has 14 total carbs per serving and 10g of sugar. This is not ideal for a keto diet, where it is recommended to keep your carb intake low.

A true keto coleslaw should be made with healthy, keto-friendly ingredients and have a super creamy texture with tangy flavors. It should also be sugar-free and kid-friendly.

If you're looking for a keto-friendly alternative to KFC coleslaw, consider making your own at home with a recipe that suits your taste preferences and dietary needs. There are many recipes available online that provide a keto-friendly version of this popular side dish.

By making your own coleslaw at home, you can control the ingredients and keep the carb count low, making it a perfect keto side dish to serve with your favorite protein.

Cabbage is a keto-friendly food

Cabbage is a versatile vegetable that can be eaten raw in salads, cooked in main dishes, or fermented in dishes like sauerkraut and kimchi. It is a great addition to a keto diet as it adds bulk and fibre to meals, and it can help break up the monotony of denser foods.

There are many keto-friendly recipes that use cabbage, such as keto coleslaw, keto cabbage hash browns, and keto cabbage skillet meals. Cabbage is also a budget-friendly option, as it is often sold at low prices in grocery stores.

When making keto coleslaw, it is important to be mindful of the other ingredients used, as some store-bought or restaurant-style coleslaws may contain added sugar or sweeteners, which can increase the carb count. However, with the right ingredients, coleslaw can be a perfect keto side dish, as the creamy mayonnaise-based dressing adds healthy fats to the diet.

In conclusion, cabbage is a keto-friendly food that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways and is a nutritious and tasty addition to a keto diet.

Carrots are carby

Carrots are root vegetables that contain carbohydrates. While they offer essential vitamins and minerals, they are not suitable for a keto diet due to their carb content. The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that aims to put the body into a state of ketosis, where it burns fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. Since carrots are carby, they can hinder progress towards ketosis and are therefore not considered keto-friendly.

When it comes to coleslaw, a traditional side dish with Dutch origins, the inclusion of carrots can impact its keto-friendliness. Coleslaw typically consists of shredded cabbage, carrots, and a dressing, which can be either vinegar or mayonnaise-based. While cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable that is low in carbs and suitable for keto, the addition of carrots can increase the overall carb count.

Some recipes for keto coleslaw do include carrots, but in smaller quantities. For example, one recipe suggests using a store-bought coleslaw mix that contains a small amount of carrots, while another recommends using a food processor to pulse the carrots into smaller chunks, reducing their volume. These approaches allow for some carrot flavour and texture while keeping the carb count low.

However, it's important to note that the keto diet does allow for some flexibility. As one source states, "everything is a keto food if it fits your macros." This means that even if a food is not strictly keto-friendly, it can still be consumed in moderation as part of a well-planned keto diet. Therefore, while carrots may be carby, they can still be enjoyed occasionally or in smaller portions without completely derailing a keto diet.

In conclusion, carrots are considered carby and not typically keto-friendly due to their carbohydrate content. However, when it comes to coleslaw, a dish that often includes carrots, there are ways to include them while still maintaining a low-carb profile. Additionally, the keto diet allows for some flexibility, so enjoying carrots in moderation can be part of a balanced keto approach.

You can make your own keto coleslaw

Coleslaw is a keto food, but only if it's homemade or specifically bought as a keto option. Store-bought or restaurant-style coleslaw is not keto-friendly because it contains a lot of sugar in the dressing and is high in carbs.

For the dressing, you will need mayonnaise, a sweetener, and an acidic ingredient such as lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, or pickle juice. You can also add some mustard and seasonings like garlic salt, black pepper, or Nature's Seasons blend.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces of shredded cabbage (you can use a mix of green and red cabbage)
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon sugar-free sweetener (such as Lakanto)
• 1/4 cup dill pickle juice or apple cider vinegar
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Add the shredded cabbage to a large mixing bowl.
• In a separate bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweetener, and pickle juice or vinegar. Whisk until well combined.
• Pour the dressing over the cabbage and toss until everything is coated.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• You can serve the coleslaw immediately, but it's best to let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour so that the flavours can develop.

This keto coleslaw is a perfect side dish for any BBQ or grilled meat. It's creamy, tangy, and has only 5 total carbs per serving. Enjoy!

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