Simple Mills Bread: Keto-Friendly Or Not?

Simple Mills is a company that produces a variety of food products, including bread and crackers. Some of their products are marketed as being keto-friendly, but are they really? This is an important question for anyone following a ketogenic diet, as consuming too many carbohydrates can kick you out of ketosis and hinder your progress. So, let's explore the keto-friendliness of Simple Mills bread and provide some insights into this topic.

Simple Mills Artisan Bread Mix is not keto-friendly

To achieve healthy weight loss on keto, it is important to check both the macros and ingredients of your food. While the Simple Mills Artisan Bread Mix is free of non-keto ingredients like sugar, artificial sweeteners, and refined oils, its high carb content makes it unsuitable for a keto diet.

There are alternative bread mix brands that are low in net carbs and more suitable for those following a keto diet. Additionally, foods like avocado, salmon, and ghee are great sources of fat that are both low in carbs and high in fat, making them ideal for a keto diet.

Simple Mills products that are keto-friendly

Simple Mills offers a range of keto-friendly products that are rated based on their compatibility with a healthy keto diet. While some products may be considered keto-friendly by some sources, others may have conflicting ratings due to variations in ingredients and net carb content. Here is a detailed list of Simple Mills products that are generally considered keto-friendly:

Almond Flour Crackers:

• Rosemary & Sea Salt
• Cracked Black Pepper
• Fine Ground Sea Salt
• Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil
• Farmhouse Cheddar

Breads and Doughs:

• Pizza Dough Almond Flour Mix: With only 10g net carbs per serving, this product is safe for the keto diet.
• Artisan Bread Almond Flour Mix: Although this product has 10g net carbs per serving, it is still considered keto-friendly.

Baking Mixes:

• No Sugar Added Organic Pancake & Waffle Mix: While it is generally considered keto-friendly, it is important to monitor your net carb intake if you consume other carb-containing foods throughout the day.
• Chocolate Muffin & Cake Almond Flour Mix: This mix has 12g net carbs per serving, making it safe for the keto diet.

Cookies and Bars:

• Cinnamon Crunchy Cookies: These cookies have 12g net carbs per serving, making them keto-friendly.
• Crunchy Double Chocolate Cookies: With 12g net carbs per serving, these cookies are a good keto option.
• Soft Baked Peanut Butter Cookies: These cookies have 10g net carbs per serving, making them a keto-friendly treat.
• Soft Baked Almond Flour Bars (Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate Almond): Both varieties have 12-13g net carbs per bar, making them keto-friendly.

Frosting:

Organic Chocolate Frosting: With only 6g net carbs per serving, this frosting is a keto-friendly option for your keto cakes and cupcakes.

It is important to note that while these products are considered keto-friendly, it is always advisable to read the labels, check the net carb content, and monitor your overall carb intake to ensure you stay within your desired macros for effective ketosis.

Almond flour crackers are not keto-compliant

Simple Mills Artisan Bread Mix, for example, is not keto-friendly because it is high in carbs. A 100g serving of this bread mix contains 40g of net carbs. This is well above the recommended daily net carb allowance of 20-30g. Consuming this bread mix may kick you out of ketosis even with a small serving size.

Almond flour crackers, such as those from Simple Mills, are also not keto-compliant. While the crackers themselves may be low in net carbs, the issue lies in the other ingredients used in their preparation. For instance, the Fine Ground Sea Salt Almond Flour Crackers from Simple Mills contain potato starch, which is a source of carbohydrates.

To stay keto-compliant, it is important to be mindful of the ingredients and their macros. Some common ingredients to look out for and avoid on a keto diet include sweeteners, oils, and food additives. Additionally, it is crucial to keep your net carb consumption within the recommended range to maintain ketosis.

Keto-friendly alternatives to Simple Mills crackers

Simple Mills crackers are made with almond flour and are marketed as a healthy snack option. However, they are not keto-friendly due to the inclusion of tapioca starch and cassava flour, which are high in carbohydrates. Each serving contains 16-17 grams of net carbs, which is considered too high for a keto diet.

Julian Bakery Primal Thin Crackers

These crackers are incredibly low in net carbs, with only 3 grams per serving of six crackers. They are also gluten-free, grain-free, and low in calories. The crackers are made with organic ingredients, including Parmesan cheese, flax seeds, and tapioca flour. They come in two flavors: salt and pepper, and organic Parmesan.

Quest Cheese Crackers

These crackers are deliciously crunchy and packed with cheese flavor. They come in individual serving-size bags, making them perfect for on-the-go snacking. While they have a lengthy ingredient list, they offer a good balance of macros, with 10 grams of protein, 10 grams of carbs, and 5 grams of fiber per bag.

ELLA’S FLATS® Sesame Savory Crisps

These crackers are gluten-free and packed with protein and omega 3 fats. They are certified Non-GMO and gluten-free, making them safe for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals. The crackers are also vegan, so they are suitable for a wide range of diets. They are made with pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseed, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds, and are flavorful and crunchy.

Hu Kitchen Paleo Vegan Crackers

These crackers are a perfect option for those following a restrictive diet, as they are vegan and paleo-friendly. They are made with high-quality, Non-GMO ingredients, including almond flour, cassava, and coconut. They offer 4 grams of protein and 7 grams of fat per serving, with 12 grams of carbs and 3 grams of fiber. They come in three flavors: sea salt, pizza, and everything.

High Key Almond Flour Crackers

High Key is a popular keto snacking brand that offers almond flour crackers. These crackers are high in fiber, with 9 grams per serving, resulting in only 1 gram of net carb. They also offer solid protein content at 7 grams. These crackers are available in cheddar, sea salt, and everything flavors.

Flackers Organic Flax-Seed Crackers

Flackers are a simple and nutritious snack option, made with just three ingredients: organic flax seeds, organic apple cider vinegar, and sea salt. They are gluten-free, paleo, vegan, kosher, low carb, and keto-friendly. Each serving contains 6 grams of protein and 9 grams of dietary fiber, along with 10 grams of carbs. They come in a variety of flavors, including sea salt, tomato & basil, and cinnamon & currants.

How to identify keto-friendly crackers

While Simple Mills does offer some keto-friendly products, its Artisan Bread Mix is not one of them. This is because it is high in net carbs, which can kick you out of ketosis even with a small serving size.

Now, if you're looking for keto-friendly crackers, you're in luck! There are several options available, both store-bought and homemade. Here are some tips and suggestions on how to identify and choose keto-friendly crackers:

Check the Ingredients:

• Look for crackers made with keto-friendly ingredients such as almond flour, flaxseed, coconut flour, or cheese. These tend to be lower in carbs and suitable for a keto diet.
• Avoid crackers with non-keto ingredients like sugar, artificial sweeteners, and refined oils. Simple Mills, for example, offers a range of almond flour crackers that are a better option than their bread mix.

Net Carb Content:

• When identifying keto-friendly crackers, the most important factor to consider is the net carb content. Net carbs are calculated by subtracting the fibre content from the total carbohydrate content. For crackers to be considered keto-friendly, they should typically have a net carb content of 5 grams or less per serving.
• Some good store-bought options include:
• Fat Snax Almond Flour Crackers (2-3 net carbs per serving)
• Julian Bakery Keto Thins (1 gram of net carb per serving)
• Low Carb Melba Toasts (1 net carb per serving)
• WeDoKeto Crackers (1 net carb per serving)

Customizable Options:

Some crackers offer customizable options, allowing you to choose the flavour and type of cheese used. This can be a great way to ensure the crackers fit your taste preferences and dietary needs.

Pairings:

Consider what you want to pair your crackers with. Keto-friendly crackers go well with cured meats such as pepperoni, salami, and summer sausage. They also pair nicely with aged cheeses, soft cheeses like brie, and classic varieties like cheddar and mozzarella.

Homemade Keto Crackers:

• If you prefer to make your own keto crackers, there are several simple recipes available online. Many of these recipes use just a few basic ingredients, such as almond flour, cheese, and seasonings.
• For example, a basic keto cracker recipe might include almond flour, shredded cheese, salt, and water. You can also add spices like oregano, basil, or smoked paprika to suit your taste.
• Simply blend the ingredients, roll out the dough, cut it into squares, and bake until crispy. These homemade crackers can be a fun and healthy alternative to store-bought options.

Remember, when following a keto diet, it's important to monitor your net carb intake and ensure it aligns with your specific goals. Enjoy experimenting with different keto-friendly crackers and finding the ones that best suit your taste and lifestyle!

Frequently asked questions