Does Cilantro Dressing contain dairy or gluten?

Yes. It contains non-fat milk and cotija cheese (dairy), and the pepita mixture contains wheat flour (gluten).

Is Cilantro Dressing good for weight loss?

It is high in calories and fat, but the added starches and sugars can trigger insulin spikes, which may hinder weight loss efforts for some people.

Where can I buy Cilantro Dressing?

This specific brand and style of dressing is commonly available at major retailers like Walmart, Target, and on Amazon.

Is Cilantro Dressing safe for kids?

Yes, it is generally safe for children, though it contains common allergens like soy, milk, and wheat.

Is Cilantro Dressing Keto?

NO, Cilantro Dressing is not keto-friendly. While the base ingredients look promising with high-fat oils and cheese, this dressing contains hidden starches and wheat flour that will spike your insulin. If you are strictly following a ketogenic diet, this specific brand of dressing is a trap you need to avoid.

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look past the marketing on the front of the bottle and go straight to the ingredient label. When analyzing this Cilantro Dressing for ketosis, three specific ingredients immediately disqualify it. Here is the forensic breakdown of why this dressing fails the keto standards.

First, we have to look at the thickening agents. The label lists modified food starch. In the food industry, modified starch is almost exclusively derived from corn, potatoes, or wheat. Regardless of the specific source, this is a highly processed carbohydrate additive. It is used here to create a creamy emulsion, but on a keto diet, it adds to your daily net carb count without providing any nutritional value.

The second major red flag is found in the garnish section. The dressing includes a pepita mixture that contains wheat flour. Wheat is the ultimate enemy of ketosis because it is pure glucose. Even small amounts of wheat flour can prevent your body from entering or maintaining a state of ketosis. Furthermore, the presence of non-fat milk and dry milk adds lactose, which is a milk sugar. While the fat content is high, the combination of starch, wheat, and milk sugars creates a metabolic profile that is the opposite of what a keto diet requires.

🚫 Culprit Ingredients:

flourstarchwheat

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, this dressing is a paradox. It is high in calories and fat, which is typical for a creamy dressing, but the macronutrient ratio is skewed against the keto dieter. Because of the modified food starch and wheat flour, the carbohydrate count is too high to fit within the strict keto limit of 20-50 grams of net carbs per day. A serving size of this dressing could easily consume a significant portion of your carb allowance for the day, leaving very little room for vegetables or other nutrient-dense foods.

Additionally, the inclusion of soy protein and soybean oil suggests a reliance on industrial seed oils. While keto is high-fat, many purists prefer fats from olive oil, avocado, or animal sources rather than refined soy. The sugar content, derived from the lactose in the milk and the natural sugars in the vinegar and peppers, adds to the total glycemic load. Therefore, while it might taste good, it does not align with the metabolic goals of a low-carb, high-fat diet.