Does Black Bean Garlic Sauce contain dairy or gluten?

Based on the ingredients list, this sauce does not contain dairy. However, it does contain gluten because the soy sauce is made with wheat flour.

Is Black Bean Garlic Sauce good for weight loss?

It is not ideal for weight loss. The added sugar and corn starch provide empty calories and can spike insulin levels, which may increase hunger and fat storage.

Where can I buy Black Bean Garlic Sauce?

You can find Black Bean Garlic Sauce in the Asian foods aisle of most major supermarkets (like Walmart or Kroger) or purchase it online via Amazon.

Is Black Bean Garlic Sauce safe for kids?

Generally, yes, though it is very high in sodium. It does not contain caffeine, but the high salt and sugar content should be monitored in a child's diet.

Is Black Bean Garlic Sauce Keto?

No, Black Bean Garlic Sauce is not keto-friendly. While the savory combination of fermented beans and garlic is undeniably delicious, the standard bottled varieties are packed with hidden sugars and starches. If you are strictly following a ketogenic diet, you need to skip this sauce or make a homemade version to avoid the carb-heavy additives.

The Ingredient Breakdown

To understand why this sauce fails the keto test, we have to look beyond the savory black beans and analyze the binders and sweeteners used in mass-market production. Even a small serving size contains multiple ingredients that can disrupt ketosis.

The primary offender is sugar. Sugar is a direct carbohydrate that spikes blood glucose levels. In this sauce, it is added to balance the saltiness of the fermented beans and soy sauce, but for a keto dieter, this is an immediate disqualifier.

Next, we have soy sauce. While soy sauce is generally low in carbs, the specific brand used here contains wheat flour. Wheat flour is a refined grain that adds significant net carbs to the total count. It acts as a thickener but introduces gluten and unnecessary carbs.

Perhaps the most deceptive ingredient is modified corn starch. This is a highly processed thickening agent derived from corn. It is essentially pure starch, which converts to sugar rapidly in the body. It is used to give the sauce that glossy, thick texture, but it is a dense source of carbohydrates.

Finally, rice wine is listed. Rice wine is made from fermented rice, meaning it contains fermentable sugars. While the alcohol content is low, the residual sugars from the rice fermentation process contribute to the total carbohydrate load.

🚫 Culprit Ingredients:

sugarflourricestarchwheatcorn

Nutritional Value

When analyzing the nutritional profile of Black Bean Garlic Sauce, the macronutrient ratio is heavily skewed away from keto requirements. A standard serving (usually one tablespoon) contains a concentrated amount of carbohydrates derived from multiple sources.

The sugar content is the most critical factor. Even if the label lists only 2 or 3 grams of sugar per serving, that number is misleading because it doesn't account for the modified corn starch and flour, which have a high glycemic impact. These complex carbohydrates break down into glucose, raising your daily net carb total quickly.

In terms of fat, this sauce is very low. Keto is a high-fat, moderate-protein, low-carb diet. This sauce provides almost no fat to help you meet your macros, meaning it offers no satiety benefit. It is essentially a 'empty calorie' condiment in the context of a ketogenic lifestyle. To stay within the strict 20-50g net carb daily limit, a single serving of this sauce takes up a significant and valuable portion of your allowance for very little nutritional return.