Is Salsa Roja quemada Keto?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I always look at the ingredient list before the nutrition label, and for Salsa Roja quemada, the story is clear. The base ingredients are fantastic for a ketogenic diet. Tomatoes, onions, jalapeno peppers, and serrano peppers are all low-carb vegetables that provide flavor and micronutrients without spiking insulin.

However, the trouble begins with the additives. The ingredient modified starch is the primary red flag here. Manufacturers use modified starch as a thickener to give the salsa a consistent, shelf-stable texture. Chemically, starch is a chain of glucose molecules. When you consume it, your body breaks it down into pure sugar. Even a small amount of modified starch can add several grams of carbohydrates per serving, which is enough to kick you out of ketosis if you aren't careful.

Additionally, watch out for ascorbic acid and citric acid. While these are generally used in tiny amounts as preservatives to maintain color and freshness, they contribute negligibly to the total carb count. The main culprit remains the starch.

Nutritional Value

Looking at the nutritional profile, Salsa Roja quemada is generally low in calories and fat, which is typical for a vegetable-based sauce. It fits well within a calorie-controlled diet, but the keto diet is about macronutrient ratios, not just calories.

The issue is the Net Carbs. To stay in ketosis, most people aim for under 20-30 grams of net carbs per day. If a serving of this salsa contains 3 to 5 grams of carbs solely because of the modified starch, it eats up a significant percentage of your daily allowance. While it isn't high in sugar compared to a dessert, the starch content makes it incompatible with the strict limits of a ketogenic lifestyle.