Is Morningstar Farms Veggie Burgers Spicy Black Bean 50.8oz Keto?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When evaluating a product for the ketogenic diet, we look beyond the marketing and dive straight into the label. The Morningstar Farms Spicy Black Bean burger is a prime example of a product that uses healthy-sounding ingredients but hides a significant carbohydrate load. Let's look at the specific culprits.

The first red flag is the presence of cooked brown rice and whole kernel corn. While brown rice is a complex carbohydrate, it is still a grain that contributes roughly 20-25 grams of net carbs per 100 grams. On a keto diet, where your daily limit is often 20 grams total, a single patty containing these grains takes up a massive portion of your allowance. Corn is similarly starchy and high in sugar.

We also see dextrose listed among the ingredients. Dextrose is a form of sugar derived from corn and is often used as a preservative or binder. It has a high glycemic index, meaning it spikes blood sugar rapidly. For a keto dieter, spiking insulin is the exact opposite of what you want to achieve. Furthermore, the product contains hydrolized vegetable protein and soy sauce, which are derivatives of corn, wheat, and soy—ingredients that are often processed and can contribute to hidden carbs.

Nutritional Value

Looking at the nutritional profile, the numbers tell the story. A single patty contains approximately 150 to 170 calories, which isn't terrible on its own. However, the carbohydrate count is the dealbreaker. You are looking at roughly 18 to 22 grams of total carbohydrates per burger. With only about 4 to 5 grams of dietary fiber, the net carb count lands somewhere between 14 and 17 grams.

For anyone following a strict keto macro calculator, consuming 17 grams of net carbs from a single item leaves very little room for vegetables, sauces, or side dishes for the rest of the day. Additionally, the protein content is moderate (around 9-10 grams), but it is outweighed by the carb load. While the fat content is low, which is typical for plant-based burgers, the high sugar and starch content make it incompatible with the high-fat, low-carb requirements of ketosis.