Does chicken broth contain dairy or gluten?

Based on the ingredients provided, this specific broth contains no dairy (milk) or gluten (wheat). However, always check labels as formulations vary by brand.

Is chicken broth good for weight loss?

It is low in calories and can help you feel full, but the added sugar in this version is counterproductive for fat burning and weight loss goals.

Where can I buy chicken broth?

You can find chicken broth in the soup aisle of almost every major retailer, including Walmart, Target, and grocery stores, as well as online via Amazon.

Is chicken broth safe for kids?

Yes, chicken broth is generally safe for children. The sugar content is not dangerous in moderation, but it is a processed food, so homemade is often preferred for kids.

Is chicken broth Keto?

The direct answer is no: most store-bought chicken broth is not strictly Keto. While chicken broth sounds like a zero-carb staple, many commercial brands sneak in sugar and starchy vegetable concentrates that can disrupt ketosis. In this article, we’ll break down exactly why this common kitchen staple might be sabotaging your low-carb diet.

The Ingredient Breakdown

When you pour a cup of broth, you expect pure, savory liquid. However, looking at the ingredient list of a typical store-bought variety reveals a complex mixture that goes beyond simple chicken and water. The primary issue for the Keto diet is the addition of ingredients that spike the carbohydrate count.

The first red flag is sugar. It is explicitly listed as an ingredient. On a Keto diet, the goal is to minimize sugar intake to force the body into ketosis. Even a small amount of added sugar is unnecessary and counterproductive. Manufacturers often add sugar to balance the saltiness or enhance the flavor profile, but it comes at the cost of your carb limit.

Next, we have vegetable juice concentrates (carrot, celery, onion). While these sound innocent, concentrates are essentially the sugars and flavors extracted from vegetables. Carrots and onions are naturally higher in carbohydrates compared to leafy greens. When concentrated, they add flavor but also a significant amount of hidden carbs and natural sugars that add up quickly.

Finally, yeast extract and natural flavor are common additives. While yeast extract provides a savory 'umami' punch (often found in MSG), it is generally low-carb. However, the 'natural flavor' is a catch-all term that can sometimes hide starches or derivatives used as carriers. Combined with the sugar and vegetable concentrates, the total carb count makes this product a 'no' for strict Keto adherence.

🚫 Culprit Ingredients:

sugar

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, chicken broth is often marketed as a health food, and it does have benefits. It is typically low in calories and provides electrolytes like sodium and potassium, which are crucial for preventing the 'Keto flu.' It also contains collagen and gelatin from the chicken, which are excellent for joint and gut health.

However, the specific product analyzed here falls short on the Keto macro requirements. The inclusion of sugar and vegetable concentrates pushes the net carb count higher than the ideal 0g to 1g per serving. For someone eating under 20g of carbs per day, a cup of broth with hidden sugars can take up a significant percentage of that allowance. Furthermore, while it contains chicken fat, the amount is usually negligible unless you are buying a specific 'bone broth' or high-fat formulation. Therefore, while it offers micronutrients, the macronutrient profile is compromised by the additives.