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?

Laughing Cow Cheese nutritional value

The Laughing Cow Cheese is a trademarked brand name for semi-soft, spreadable cheese that comes in individually wrapped wedges. The cheese is made with real cheese and contains 2 grams of protein per serving, and is a good source of calcium and vitamins A and D.

The nutritional value of one wedge (19g) of the Original Creamy Swiss Cheese flavour is as follows:

• Total Carbohydrate: 1g
• Added Sugars: 0g
• Protein: 2g
• Calcium: 20% DV
• Vitamin A: 6% DV
• Vitamin D: 6% DV

The Laughing Cow Cheese is also available in other flavours, including Creamy Garlic & Herb, Creamy Aged White Cheddar, Creamy Spicy Pepper Jack, Creamy Asiago, and Everything Bagel Style. The nutritional values of these flavours may differ slightly from the original flavour.

While the cheese is suitable for vegetarians and those who are pregnant, it is important to note that it is relatively high in net carbs, with 4.5 grams of carbs per triangle. This means that it should be consumed in moderation by those on a keto diet, as the daily net carb limit is typically between 20-30 grams.

Keto-friendly cheese alternatives

Cheese is allowed and even encouraged on the keto diet, but some choices are better than others. The best keto cheeses are those that are high in fat, moderate in protein, and low in carbs.

Cream Cheese

Cream cheese is a soft cheese that is low in carbs, with 0.6 g of carbs in a tablespoon, making it a good alternative to Laughing Cow Cheese.

Goat Cheese

Goat cheese is another soft cheese that is carb-free, so it's perfect for a keto diet. It's also lower in lactose than many other cheeses, making it easier to digest.

Halloumi

Halloumi is a firm, slightly springy cheese that is often grilled or fried. It's carb-free, so it's a great option for keto dieters.

Swiss Cheese

Swiss cheese, also known as Emmental cheese in Europe, is a recognisable cheese with little to no carbs and high protein. Gruyère, one of the many varieties of Swiss cheese, is also keto-friendly.

Brie Cheese

Brie is a soft, creamy cheese that is low in carbs, so it can be enjoyed in moderation on a keto diet.

Blue Cheese

Blue cheese has a unique flavour and creamy texture. It's keto-approved, with 8 grams of fat, 6 grams of protein, and 1 gram of carbs per 1-ounce serving.

Parmesan Cheese

Parmesan is a favourite among keto dieters as it's low in carbs and adds a hit of salty, nutty flavour to foods. It's perfect for sprinkling over salads or non-starchy vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and zucchini.

Mascarpone

Mascarpone is a creamy, spreadable cheese that can be used in keto-friendly desserts, side dishes, and low-carb baked goods. Pair it with fresh berries for a decadent keto-friendly breakfast.

Gouda

Gouda is a slightly sweet, creamy, yellow cheese made from cow's milk. It has a low melting point, so it's perfect for melting on top of burgers or adding to keto-friendly mac and cheese.

Cheddar Cheese

Cheddar is a versatile, popular, and widely available cheese. It comes in a range of flavours and intensities, from sharp to mild. It's a good fit for the keto diet, with 9 grams of fat, 7 grams of protein, and less than 1 gram of carbs per 1-ounce serving.

Keto-unfriendly cheese alternatives

When following a keto diet, it's important to remember that not all cheeses are created equal. While cheese is allowed and even encouraged on this high-fat, low-carb eating plan, some choices are better than others. Here are some alternatives to Laughing Cow Cheese that are not keto-friendly:

• Ricotta Cheese: While full-fat ricotta may be fine in small quantities on the keto diet, it has a high number of carbs. A 1/2 cup serving of ricotta contains 14g of fat, 9g of carbs, and 10g of protein.
• Cottage Cheese: Cottage cheese is known for its high protein content but it also contains a relatively high amount of carbs and not much fat, making it a less-than-ideal choice for keto. A 1/2 cup serving of cottage cheese contains 88 calories, 2.4g of fat, 4.5g of carbs, and 11.6g of protein.
• American Cheese: American cheese is often highly processed, and keto nutrition experts recommend paying attention to the quality of food, not just whether it meets macro goals. One slice of American cheese has 65 calories, 5g of fat, 2g of carbs, and 3g of protein.
• Canned or Spray Cheese: While the macros of spray cheese could probably fit into a keto diet, it's highly processed and not really cheese. It contains a lot of stabilizers, fillers, and oils that don't provide much nutritional benefit and can lead to inflammation.

It's important to remember that keto-friendly cheeses are those made without extra processing and with no added sugar or preservatives. Softer cheeses like ricotta and cottage cheese tend to have higher amounts of carbs, while harder cheeses like cheddar and parmesan have the lowest carb counts.

Keto-friendly snacks with Laughing Cow Cheese

The Laughing Cow Cheese is a trademarked brand name semi-soft, spreadable cheese wedge that comes in a variety of flavours. While it is technically keto-compliant, it is relatively high in net carbs, so it should be consumed in moderation. The cheese wedges contain 4.5-4.76g of net carbs per wedge or 100g serving, so it is important to be mindful of serving sizes.

• Spread the Creamy Light variety on zucchini rounds and top with radish and parsley.
• Spread the Creamy Jalapeño variety onto sourdough crackers and top with a mixture of chopped hard-boiled eggs, light sour cream, and salt and pepper.
• Spread the Creamy Garlic & Herb variety on pretzels and top with smoked salmon.
• Spread the Creamy Garlic & Herb variety on halved, roasted fingerling potatoes and top with prosciutto and rosemary.
• Spread the Creamy Spicy Pepper Jack variety on mini tortillas and dress with arugula and leftover shrimp.
• Spread the Creamy Spicy Pepper Jack variety on sliced bell peppers and top with corn and cilantro.
• Spread the Creamy Jalapeño variety on butter crackers and top with bacon and diced jalapeño pieces.
• Spread the Creamy Spicy Pepper Jack variety on rye bread and top with avocado and papaya.

Keto-diet explanation

The ketogenic diet, or keto diet, is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet. The aim is to force the body to use a different type of fuel, by drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat. Typically, a keto diet involves consuming 70% fat, 20% protein, and only 10% carbs. This reduction in carbs puts the body into a metabolic state called ketosis, where it becomes very efficient at burning fat for energy.

To enter ketosis, carbohydrate consumption is usually limited to around 20 to 50 grams per day. This can be monitored by calculating net carbs, which is done by taking the total grams of carbohydrates and subtracting any fibre content. On a keto diet, it is also important to moderate protein consumption, as too much protein can interfere with ketosis.

The keto diet is often used for weight loss, as well as to help manage certain medical conditions, such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's, and diabetes. However, it is not suitable for everyone and can come with some risks, including nutrient deficiency, liver problems, kidney problems, and constipation.

When it comes to cheese, not all types are created equal in the context of the keto diet. While cheese is generally allowed, some varieties are higher in carbs than others. Laughing Cow Cheese, for example, has been described as relatively high in net carbs, with one wedge containing 4.5 grams of net carbs. As such, while it can technically be consumed on a keto diet, it should be done so in moderation.

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