Is Original Soymilk Keto?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look at the ingredient list to understand the formulation. The base of this product is filtered water and soybeans, which is a great start. Soybeans are naturally rich in protein and healthy fats, making them a decent candidate for low-carb diets. However, the trouble begins with the third ingredient listed.

The primary culprit here is cane sugar. Manufacturers add this to achieve the "Original" flavor profile, which is essentially a slightly sweetened milk. On a keto diet, your daily sugar intake is usually restricted to under 20-50 grams. Just one cup of this soymilk contains enough added sugar to use up a significant portion of that allowance immediately.

Additionally, the product contains gellan gum. This is a common food additive used as a thickener and stabilizer to keep the soy solids suspended in the water. While gellan gum is generally considered safe and has negligible carbs, it is a sign of a highly processed product rather than a simple, whole-food beverage.

Nutritional Value

Looking at the nutritional profile, the issue becomes clear. A standard serving (1 cup) of Original Soymilk typically contains around 8 to 10 grams of net carbohydrates. For someone following a standard diet, this is perfectly fine. However, for a keto dieter, consuming nearly half of your daily carb limit in a single glass of milk makes it nearly impossible to fit in vegetables or other nutrient-dense foods later in the day.

Furthermore, while the fat content is low, the calorie count is often moderate due to the soybeans. The lack of significant fat means it won't help you reach your daily fat macro goals. Essentially, this beverage offers a high carb-to-fat ratio, which is the exact opposite of what you want for ketosis. It fits the nutritional profile of a carbohydrate-heavy drink, not a fat-heavy one.