Does Miso glazed cod contain dairy or gluten?

Based on the ingredients list, it does not contain dairy (milk). However, it does contain gluten due to the wheat in the soy sauce powder and the barley malt extract.

Is Miso glazed cod good for weight loss?

It is not ideal for weight loss due to the high sugar content. The added sugars and starches increase the calorie count without providing satiety, potentially leading to cravings.

Where can I buy Miso glazed cod?

Miso glazed cod is widely available in the frozen seafood section of major retailers like Costco, Trader Joe's, Walmart, and online via Amazon.

Is Miso glazed cod safe for kids?

Yes, it is generally safe for children. It does not contain caffeine, and while it has added sugar, it is a lean protein source. However, check the label for soy allergies.

Is Miso glazed cod Keto?

No, commercially prepared Miso glazed cod is generally not considered Keto-friendly. While the fish itself is a perfect low-carb protein, the pre-made glaze almost always contains hidden sugars and starches that will disrupt ketosis. If you are strictly following a Keto diet, this is one frozen meal you should probably skip.

The Ingredient Breakdown

To understand why this dish fails the Keto test, we need to look past the healthy reputation of cod and miso. As a food scientist, I look at the formulation of the glaze and marinade. The ingredients list reveals a formulation designed for flavor and texture, not metabolic ketosis.

The primary culprit is the sweetener blend. You will almost always find white sugar, brown sugar, and molasses. These are pure sucrose. Even a small amount of glaze adds up to significant net carbs, kicking you out of ketosis. Even if a brand claims 'low sugar,' they often replace it with maltodextrin. Maltodextrin has a glycemic index higher than table sugar (often 105-115 compared to sugar's 65), causing a massive insulin spike that halts fat burning.

Next, we have the thickeners. The list includes modified corn starch and xanthan gum. While xanthan gum is generally Keto-safe in small amounts, modified corn starch is pure carbohydrate. It is used to give the glaze that sticky, glossy coating that adheres to the fish. This adds unnecessary glucose to the meal.

Finally, there is the miso base. Authentic miso is fermented soybeans and rice. The soy miso powder in this product contains rice. Rice is a high-carb grain. Additionally, the inclusion of dried roasted barley malt extract is a red flag. Barley is a grain that contains gluten and contributes to the overall carbohydrate load. While the amount might be small, strict Keto dieters avoid grains entirely.

🚫 Culprit Ingredients:

sugarricestarchmaltodextrincornbarley

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, the dish offers high-quality protein and healthy Omega-3 fatty acids from the cod, which is excellent for heart health. However, the nutritional profile is skewed by the glaze.

Typically, a serving of this dish contains between 15g to 30g of carbohydrates per fillet. On a standard Keto diet, the daily limit is usually 20g of net carbs. Eating one piece of this fish would consume your entire carbohydrate allowance for the day, leaving no room for vegetables or side dishes.

Furthermore, the calorie density is deceptive. The sesame oil adds healthy fats, but combined with the sugar, the calorie count can be high (often 300-400 calories) without providing the satiety of a fatty cut of meat like salmon or ribeye. It is a high-carb, moderate-protein, moderate-fat meal, which is the exact opposite of the Keto macro ratio.