Is Crisco all vegatable shortening Keto?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When evaluating a product for the ketogenic diet, we look for hidden sugars, starches, or high-carb fillers. Crisco's ingredient list is surprisingly simple regarding carbohydrate content. Let's look at the specific components:

Soybean Oil: This is the primary ingredient. It is a pure fat source derived from soybeans. While some keto followers prefer to avoid soy for other health reasons, from a strictly carbohydrate perspective, it contains zero grams of carbs and is perfectly acceptable for ketosis.

Fully Hydrogenated Palm Oil and Palm Oil: These oils provide the solid texture that mimics traditional lard or butter. The hydrogenation process changes the fat structure to make it solid at room temperature. Like the soybean oil, these are pure fats and contain no carbohydrates.

Mono and Diglycerides: These are emulsifiers used to keep the texture consistent. They are often derived from vegetable oils and are used in very small amounts. They do not contribute any significant carbohydrates to the product.

TBHQ and Citric Acid: These are antioxidants used to preserve freshness. They are inert additives that have no impact on your blood sugar or ketone levels.

Nutritional Value

The nutritional profile of Crisco shortening is what makes it a staple for keto bakers. A standard serving (1 tablespoon) contains:

Calories and Fat: It packs about 110 calories and 12 grams of fat per tablespoon. This high-fat density is ideal for meeting your daily macro goals on a high-fat diet like keto.

Carbohydrates and Sugar: Crucially, it contains 0g Total Carbohydrates, 0g Sugars, and 0g Protein. Because there are no carbs, it has a net carb count of zero, meaning it will not kick you out of ketosis regardless of how much you consume (within calorie limits).

Processing Concerns: While it fits the macros, it is highly processed. It is a seed oil product. If you are on a 'clean keto' diet, you might prefer less processed fats like coconut oil or avocado oil. However, for standard keto macros, it passes the test.