Is Mexican style blend shredded Keto?

The Ingredient Breakdown

To understand why this cheese fails the Keto test, we have to look past the primary ingredients. The blend consists of Monterey Jack, Colby, and Cheddar. On their own, these cultured pasteurized milk products are high in fat and virtually zero carb, making them perfect for a ketogenic diet. However, manufacturers add an organic anti-caking blend to prevent the shreds from clumping together in the bag.

The specific anti-caking blend used here is the culprit: organic potato starch, organic tapioca starch, and organic dextrose. Potato starch is derived from potatoes, a root vegetable high in starch that rapidly converts to glucose in the body. Dextrose is a form of sugar (glucose) derived from plants, often corn. Even in small quantities, dextrose spikes insulin, which is the exact hormonal response the Keto diet aims to avoid. While tapioca starch is lower on the glycemic index than potato, it is still a pure carbohydrate source. These additives are strictly prohibited on a standard Keto diet because they disrupt ketosis.

Nutritional Value

From a macronutrient perspective, Mexican style blend shredded cheese is high in calories and fat, which aligns with Keto macros superficially. However, the presence of organic dextrose and starches adds to the total carbohydrate count. While the label might show a low number of carbs per serving (often less than 1g), strict Keto practitioners track net carbs meticulously. The added sugars and starches contribute to the 'net carb' count, potentially pushing a serving over the daily limit if consumed in quantity. Furthermore, because these are added sugars, they can trigger sugar cravings, making the diet harder to sustain. While it is a source of calcium and protein, the inclusion of sugar additives diminishes its nutritional value for weight loss purposes.