Is Shredded Mozzerella Cheese (Low-Moisture, Part-Skim) Keto?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I always look beyond the primary ingredient to understand the full picture. The core of this product is low moisture part skim mozzarella, which is excellent for a ketogenic diet. It is high in protein and fat while being naturally low in lactose (milk sugar). However, the issue lies in the preservation and texture additives used to keep the shreds separate in the bag.

The specific culprit here is the anti-caring blend (likely a typo for anti-caking). This blend contains potato starch and tapioca starch. While tapioca starch is used in very small amounts, potato starch is a significant red flag for keto dieters. Potato starch is a complex carbohydrate used to absorb moisture and prevent clumping. Even a small amount of potato starch adds pure starch to your meal, which digests into glucose and spikes insulin, potentially halting fat-burning processes.

Additionally, the inclusion of natamycin is a natural mold inhibitor, which is perfectly safe and common in cheese, but it doesn't negate the carb impact of the starches. If you are strictly tracking your net carbs, the potato starch in this blend makes it a risky choice compared to block cheese.

Nutritional Value

When analyzing the nutritional profile of Shredded Mozzarella (Low-Moisture, Part-Skim), the numbers look promising at first glance. A standard serving typically contains around 80 calories, with a significant portion coming from fat and protein. The fat content is moderate, making it a good option for those watching their calorie intake while trying to maintain satiety.

However, the carbohydrate count is where the 'keto' status falls apart. While the cheese itself has negligible carbs, the added potato starch increases the total carbohydrate count. In many generic brands, you will see 1g to 2g of total carbs per serving. On a strict keto diet (usually 20g net carbs per day), spending 10% of your daily allowance on a cheese filler is inefficient. It fits within a general low-carb diet, but for deep ketosis, it is not the ideal choice.