Carb Killa Keto: Grenade's Keto-Friendly Bar?

The Grenade Carb Killa bars are marketed as a low-carb, high-protein snack option. However, their compatibility with a ketogenic diet has been questioned due to the presence of maltitol, a sugar alcohol that can impact blood glucose levels. While some consider these bars acceptable in moderation, others suggest avoiding them to maintain ketosis. The bars have received mixed reviews regarding taste, texture, and value for money.

Carb Killa bars are marketed as low-carb but are they truly keto-friendly?

Carb Killa bars are marketed as low-carb, high-protein, and high-fibre snacks. They are said to be the perfect guilt-free alternative to a candy bar, with less than 2 grams of sugar and at least 20 grams of protein per bar.

The Reality

Carb Killa bars are not truly keto-friendly. While they are low in sugar, they are not low in carbs. Each bar contains over 10 grams of maltitol, a sugar alcohol with a glycemic index of 36 (more than half the GI of table sugar). This means that Carb Killa bars are likely to increase blood glucose levels and reduce blood ketones, which is detrimental to maintaining ketosis.

In addition, Carb Killa bars are low in nutritional density and easy to overeat, which are important factors to consider when following a keto diet.

Alternatives

If you're looking for a keto-friendly snack bar, there are a few alternatives that are truly keto-friendly. These include:

• Keto Bars: Founded in 2012, Keto Bars was one of the first companies to create protein bars specifically for the keto diet. They are high in fat, low in net carbs, and vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free.
• BHU Keto Bars: BHU's keto bars are made without any artificial sweeteners or preservatives and have a fudgy texture. They are USDA organic, non-GMO verified, and contain prebiotic fibre for digestive support.
• CanDo Keto Krisp Bars: These bars offer a unique texture that is crispy yet soft and chewy. They are gluten-free, plant-based (except for the Butter & Salt flavour), and sweetened with stevia and erythritol to keep the sugar content low.
• CORE Keto Bars: CORE Foods offers keto bars made with probiotics, which may be beneficial for gut health. They are plant-based, gluten-free, and sweetened with allulose and monk fruit extract.

While Carb Killa bars are marketed as low-carb, they are not truly keto-friendly due to their high maltitol content, which can increase blood glucose levels and reduce blood ketones. There are several truly keto-friendly alternatives available that can help you maintain ketosis while enjoying a convenient and tasty snack.

Carb Killa bars contain maltitol, a sugar alcohol with a glycemic index of 36

Maltitol is often used in "low-carb" packaged goods, but it is important to note that it can have the same impact on blood glucose as regular sugar. In the context of Carb Killa bars, the presence of maltitol means that the net carb count may be higher than what is listed on the label. This is because the glycemic index of maltitol is more than half that of table sugar, and it can affect blood sugar levels similarly.

When following a keto diet, it is important to be mindful of the impact that certain ingredients can have on ketosis. While Carb Killa bars are marketed towards low-carb dieters, the presence of maltitol in these bars can be deceptive and detrimental to maintaining a state of ketosis. This is because maltitol can elevate blood sugar levels, which is counter to the goals of a keto diet.

In addition to maltitol, Carb Killa bars also contain other ingredients that may not be keto-friendly, such as polydextrose and tapioca starch. These ingredients have been noted to increase blood glucose and reduce blood ketones, which are key markers in a keto diet.

It is worth noting that not everyone following a keto diet is in a state of ketosis, and individual responses to certain foods can vary. However, for those looking to maintain ketosis, it is generally recommended to avoid or limit the consumption of Carb Killa bars due to their maltitol content and potential impact on blood sugar levels.

Overall, while Carb Killa bars may be convenient and appealing, especially for those with a sweet tooth, it is important to be aware of the potential impact of their ingredients on ketosis. For a truly keto-friendly bar, it is advisable to look for options with a true "keto profile" that will not negatively affect blood ketone levels.

A study found that Carb Killa bars negatively impact ketosis

The study tested nine volunteers who were following a keto diet. Three of these volunteers consumed a Grenade Carb Killa bar in White Chocolate Mocha flavour. The volunteers fasted for two hours before eating the bars, and blood ketone measurements were taken at baseline, one hour after eating, and again at the two-hour mark. This allowed the researchers to determine the blood ketone response of each bar.

The results showed a clear rapid decline in ketones with the Carb Killa Bar. This suggests that the bars could be detrimental to ketosis and may not be a good choice for those following a keto diet. However, it is important to note that the study had a small sample size of only nine participants, and further research with a larger sample size is needed to confirm these findings.

The reason for the negative impact on ketosis may be due to the ingredients used in the Carb Killa bars. The bars contain Maltitol and Polydextrose, which are polyols and fibres. Previous testing has shown that these ingredients can increase blood glucose and reduce blood ketones. Additionally, the bars are low in nutritional density and high in carbohydrates, which may also contribute to their negative impact on ketosis.

Overall, while the Carb Killa bars may be marketed as low-carb, the study suggests that they may not be a good choice for those following a keto diet due to their potential negative impact on ketosis. Further research is needed to confirm these findings, but in the meantime, those following a keto diet may want to choose alternative snack options that are truly ketogenic.

Carb Killa bars are high in protein and fibre

Carb Killa bars are marketed as a low-carb, high-protein snack. They are said to be a convenient option for those on a keto diet. However, it is important to note that not all low-carb bars are truly ketogenic.

The bars come in a variety of flavours, including White Chocolate Cookie, Dark Chocolate Raspberry, Oreo White, Chocolate Chip Salted Caramel, and Peanut Nutter.

While Carb Killa bars are high in protein and fibre, they also contain large amounts of maltitol, a sugar alcohol that can impact blood glucose levels and reduce blood ketones. This means that despite being marketed towards low-carb dieters, these bars may not be suitable for a keto diet as they could potentially kick you out of ketosis.

In addition to maltitol, the bars also contain polyols, which are reflected in the total carb count. It is recommended to count these polyols in your carb count, as they can have a similar effect on blood glucose levels as regular carbohydrates.

Overall, while Carb Killa bars are high in protein and fibre, their high content of maltitol and polyols means that they may not be the best option for those following a keto diet.

Carb Killa bars are available in a variety of flavours

The bars are marketed towards low-carb dieters, but opinions vary on whether they are truly keto-friendly. Some sources claim that the Carb Killa bars are not keto-friendly due to their use of maltitol, a sugar alcohol that can impact blood glucose levels. On the other hand, some people on keto diets have reported eating Carb Killa bars without being kicked out of ketosis.

The different flavours of Carb Killa bars have similar nutritional profiles, with each 60g bar containing around 200 calories, 2 grams of sugar, and over 20 grams of protein. However, the exact macronutrient breakdown varies slightly between flavours. For example, the Caramel Chaos bar has 7.5 grams of net carbs, while the Chocolate Crunch bar has 8 grams.

In addition to their nutritional content, Carb Killa bars have received mixed reviews on their taste and texture. Some customers have praised the bars for their pleasant flavour and soft, chewy texture, while others have criticised the melt resistance and ingredient list.

Frequently asked questions