Is Cafe Spice Vegetable Bhajias with chutneys Keto?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When evaluating a product for the keto diet, we have to look beyond the marketing and dive straight into the label. The primary issue with the Bhajia portion of this product is the batter. It uses Chickpea Flour (also known as Besan). While chickpeas are a legume and contain protein, the flour form is very high in carbohydrates. A standard keto diet limits net carbs to 20-50g per day, and a serving of chickpea flour batter alone can consume a massive portion of that allowance.

Furthermore, the mix contains Potatoes. Potatoes are essentially pure starch; they are a root vegetable that is strictly avoided on keto because they digest quickly into sugar. Even though they are listed alongside cauliflower and broccoli, their presence makes the carb count untenable for ketosis. The Chickpea Flour is also a concern for those strictly avoiding gluten, as it can sometimes be processed in facilities that handle wheat, though it is naturally gluten-free.

The chutneys present an even bigger hurdle. The Green Chili Chutney contains Sugar and Cultured Dextrose. Dextrose is a form of sugar derived from corn and has a very high glycemic index, meaning it causes a rapid spike in insulin—the exact opposite of what you want on keto. The Tamarind Chutney lists Sugar as its very first ingredient. Tamarind itself is naturally tart but contains fruit sugars; adding extra sugar turns this into a candy-like sauce that is strictly off-limits for keto dieters.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, this product is high in calories relative to its size, largely due to the frying oil and the carbohydrate-dense batter. While the vegetables provide some fiber and micronutrients, the net carbohydrate load is the deciding factor. The Sugar content in the chutneys contributes 'empty calories'—energy without nutritional benefit—which is counterproductive if your goal is weight loss or metabolic health.

Even if you were to discard the chutneys entirely, the bhajias themselves are fried and battered. The combination of Sunflower/Canola Oil (processed fats) and Chickpea Flour creates a calorie-dense snack that likely exceeds 15-20g of net carbs per serving, which is the daily limit for many strict keto adherents. Therefore, this product does not fit the macronutrient ratios required to maintain a state of ketosis.