Is Chik'n patties Keto?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look past the marketing and straight at the formulation. The primary ingredient is mycoprotein, which is a fermented fungus protein. While this is excellent for protein content, it is rarely used in isolation. To create that familiar 'chicken' texture and hold the patty together, manufacturers rely on a matrix of binders and fillers.

The biggest offender for a Keto diet here is wheat flour. This is essentially pure starch. Even though it's listed second, it contributes significantly to the total carbohydrate load. Following that, we see wheat starch and potato dextrin. These are often used to improve the mouthfeel and crispiness of the breading, but they are dense sources of carbohydrates that are immediately digested as sugar.

Perhaps the most deceptive ingredient is turbinado sugar. While the amount is small, the Keto diet is extremely sensitive to added sugars. This ingredient adds sweetness and aids in browning, but it provides zero nutritional value while adding to your daily carb limit. Additionally, dextrose (a form of glucose) is present, which is often used to feed the yeast in the mycoprotein fermentation but remains in the final product as a fast-acting carbohydrate.

Nutritional Value

When analyzing the nutritional profile, the macro breakdown is the deciding factor for Keto. A standard serving of these patties typically contains between 15 to 20 grams of total carbohydrates. Because the ingredients include refined flours and starches, the fiber content is usually low, meaning the net carbs remain high (likely 13g+ per patty).

For a standard Ketogenic diet, the daily limit is usually 20g to 50g of total carbs. Consuming a single Chik'n patty would utilize over half of that allowance before you even add a bun or side dish. Furthermore, while the fat content comes from canola oil, which is acceptable on Keto macros, the lack of high-quality fats makes it a poor choice for hitting your fat goals. The calorie count is moderate, but the 'cost' of those calories in terms of net carbs is simply too high to justify.