Is Good & Gather Hazelnut Spread with Cocoa Keto?

The Ingredient Breakdown

To understand why this product fails the keto test, we have to look at the ingredient label through the lens of a food scientist. The very first ingredient listed is Sugar. In food formulation, ingredients are listed by weight, meaning sugar is the dominant component. For a diet that typically restricts carbohydrates to under 20-50 grams per day, starting with pure sugar is a metabolic non-starter.

The second ingredient is Palm Oil. While high-fat oils are a staple of the keto diet, the type of fat here is designed to create a smooth, shelf-stable texture rather than providing the nutrient-dense fats found in avocados or nuts. It provides calories but no micronutrients.

Next, we have Hazelnuts and Cocoa Powder. These are the redeeming quality ingredients, providing flavor and some healthy fats. However, they appear after the sugar and oil, meaning the actual nut and cocoa content is lower than the sugar content. The inclusion of Skim Milk Powder, Whey Powder, and Lactose adds a small amount of protein but also contributes to the total carbohydrate count. Lactose is milk sugar, which further impacts blood glucose levels.

Finally, Lecithin acts as an emulsifier to keep the oil and solids blended, and Natural Flavors rounds out the taste profile. There are no hidden low-carb binders or sugar alcohols here; the recipe is a classic confectionery formula.

Nutritional Value

When evaluating a product for keto, we look at the 'Net Carbs' (Total Carbohydrates minus Fiber). While specific label data can vary slightly by batch, a standard serving of this Good & Gather spread (2 tablespoons) typically contains around 15 to 18 grams of total carbohydrates. Since there is virtually zero dietary fiber in this product, the Net Carbs are nearly equal to the Total Carbs.

For someone on a 2,000-calorie keto diet aiming for 20 grams of net carbs per day, a single serving of this spread consumes nearly 90% of their daily carb allowance. Furthermore, the calorie density is high—mostly from sugar and oil—making it easy to overeat without feeling satiated. While the fat content is moderate, the sugar spike it triggers will likely kick you out of ketosis and trigger cravings rather than suppressing appetite.