Is Laughing Cow Cheese Keto-Friendly?

The Laughing Cow Cheese is a well-known snacking cheese that people use for various types of snacks. It is a trademarked brand name semi-soft, spreadable cheese wedge that comes in a variety of flavours. But is it keto-friendly?

The nutritional facts of Laughing Cow Cheese are as follows: one wedge (21g) of this cheese gives you 50 calories, 1g of net carb, 2g protein, 4g of fat, and 130mg of Calcium.

According to some sources, it is keto-friendly as it does not contain artificial sweeteners, colours, or any other non-keto ingredients. However, other sources suggest that it is relatively high in net carbs, which are limited to 20g - 30g per day on the keto diet.

So, while Laughing Cow Cheese can be consumed on the keto diet, it should be done so in moderation.

The nutritional value of Laughing Cow Cheese

The Laughing Cow Cheese is a popular snack option, especially for those on a keto diet. While it is a cheese product, its nutritional value may vary depending on the specific variety and flavour.

The Original Creamy Snack Cheese Wedges, for example, are made with real cheese and provide 2 grams of protein per serving. They are also a good source of calcium and vitamins A and D. Each wedge contains 1 gram of total carbohydrate and no added sugars. The ingredients list includes pasteurized cultured milk, part-skim milk, salt, enzymes, whey, milk protein concentrate, butter, water, skim milk, and sodium polyphosphate, among other things.

It's important to note that while Laughing Cow Cheese can be a part of a keto diet, it should be consumed in moderation due to its carbohydrate content. A 100-gram serving contains 4.76 grams of net carbs, which is a significant amount for those on a keto diet. To stay within the daily net carb limit, individuals should be mindful of the serving size and pair it with other foods that are high in healthy fats.

How to calculate net carbs

The Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges are a popular choice for those on the keto diet, with each wedge containing 1g of net carbs. However, it's important to be mindful of portion sizes as these wedges have a moderate amount of net carbs.

Now, let's delve into how to calculate net carbs. "Net carbs" refer to the carbohydrates that are absorbed by your body. To calculate net carbs, you need to subtract the fibre content from the total number of carbohydrates. This calculation gives you the net carbs, which are the digestible carbohydrates that can impact your blood sugar levels.

For example, if you're calculating net carbs for a food with a serving size of 20 grams of total carbohydrates and 5 grams of dietary fibre, you would subtract 5 from 20, resulting in 15 grams of net carbs. This calculation is a simple way to determine the amount of carbohydrates that your body can digest and turn into glucose.

It's worth noting that the concept of net carbs is not recognised by all scientists and healthcare professionals, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends using total carbohydrates listed on nutrition labels. Additionally, sugar alcohols, which are compounds found in processed foods, can also impact net carbs. Sugar alcohols are only partially absorbed by the body, so they may need to be factored into your calculations as well.

Calculating net carbs can be especially useful for people with diabetes, as it helps them determine their insulin needs. It's important for individuals with diabetes to consult a doctor, dietitian, or diabetes educator before starting a low-carb diet to ensure they receive tailored advice regarding their carbohydrate intake and medication management.

Is Laughing Cow Cheese keto-friendly?

Laughing Cow Cheese is a well-known snacking cheese that people use for various types of snacks. It is a trademarked brand name semi-soft, spreadable cheese wedge that comes in a variety of flavours. It is also suitable for vegans.

Nutritional Information

The nutritional value of one wedge (21g) of The Laughing Cow Original is 50 calories. It also gives you 1g of net carb, 2g protein, and 130mg Calcium. Furthermore, you also get 4g of fat per 21g.

Yes, you can consume it when on keto. One portion of this cheese, weighing 21g, gives you 1g of carbohydrate. Additionally, it contains 2g of protein and 4g of fat per portion.

However, it is relatively high in net carbs, so it should be consumed in moderation. One wedge contains 4.5g-4.76g of net carbs, which is a significant amount considering the recommended daily net carb limit of 20g-30g.

Alternatives

If you're looking for lower-carb cheese options, there are plenty of alternatives to Laughing Cow Cheese. These include:

• Cream cheese (0.6g of carbs in a tablespoon)
• Goat cheese
• Halloumi
• Swiss
• Gruyere
• Brie cheese
• Blue cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Mozzarella

Alternatives to Laughing Cow Cheese

While The Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges are keto-friendly, with 1g net carbs per wedge, they should be consumed in moderation as they contain 4.76g of net carbs per 100g serving. This means that it is important to be mindful of portion sizes to ensure you do not exceed the recommended daily net carb limit of 20g-30g. Additionally, The Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges are low in fat, so it is recommended to pair them with foods that are high in healthy fats, such as virgin olive oil, grass-fed butter, and MCT oil.

If you are looking for alternatives to Laughing Cow Cheese, here are some suggestions:

• Cabot Lite 75 Sharp Cheddar: While Laughing Cow has 1.4 calories/gram, Cabot offers double the protein per calorie and does not spike sodium levels as much.
• Fat-free cream cheese: This option typically has around 30-35 calories per 28g serving.
• Neufchâtel cheese: You can mix this with fresh herbs like dill, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and lemon juice to make a spreadable lighter cheese.
• Whipped cream cheese: This is similar to Laughing Cow in texture and can be a good alternative.

How to eat Laughing Cow Cheese

The Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges are a keto-friendly snack option with 1g net carbs per wedge. However, they are also low in fat, so it is recommended to pair them with foods that are high in healthy fats, such as virgin olive oil, grass-fed butter, and MCT oil. Here are some creative ways to incorporate The Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges into your keto diet:

Pair with Meats and Crackers

• Spread the cheese on salami or pepperoni slices and roll them up.
• Pair with cucumbers, bell peppers, radishes, lettuce wraps, snap peas, or other low-carb vegetables.
• For a crunchy snack, spread the cheese on pork rinds, Flackers (crackers made from flax seeds), or low-carb crackers.
• Create "pepperoni nachos" by spreading the cheese on pepperoni slices and microwaving until crisp and melted.
• Make a dip with the cheese and serve with zucchini chips, kale chips, or pepper slices.

Stuffed and Topped Foods

• Stuff jalapeño halves with the cheese and bake in the oven for a tasty appetizer.
• Spread the cheese on zucchini rounds and top with radish and parsley for a refreshing keto bite.
• Create an egg salad with hard-boiled eggs, light sour cream, and stone-ground crackers, and top with the cheese.
• For a savoury snack, spread the cheese on pretzels or crackers and top with smoked salmon.
• Make stuffed peppers by spreading the cheese on bell pepper slices and topping with corn and cilantro.

Creative Combinations

• Combine apple slices, The Laughing Cow Creamy White Cheddar, and dried cranberries for a sweet and savoury snack.
• Spread the cheese on square pretzel snaps and top with sliced turkey and whole grain mustard.
• Bake sweet potato rounds and top with The Laughing Cow Creamy Swiss Garlic & Herb, and sprinkle with maple-glazed walnuts.
• For a simple snack, pair the cheese with apple slices or strawberries.
• Stuff a ball of raw extra-lean ground beef with the cheese, form into a patty, and grill for a cheeseburger with a twist.
• Combine the cheese with fat-free liquid egg substitute and microwave for a quick and easy breakfast mug scramble.

Frequently asked questions