Is Super Sharp Cheddar Cheese Keto?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When analyzing a cheese for the ketogenic diet, the primary goal is to identify hidden starches or sugars that could impact your insulin levels. Fortunately, the ingredient list for Super Sharp Cheddar Cheese is relatively clean from a keto perspective. The base ingredients are PASTEURIZED MILK and MILKFAT. Dairy milk naturally contains lactose (a sugar), but the cheese-making process converts much of this into lactic acid, and the remaining amount in a hard, aged cheese like this is negligible.

We also see standard cheese-making additives like SODIUM PHOSPHATE and SALT. Sodium phosphate is an emulsifier used to keep the cheese from separating and to maintain texture; it contains no carbohydrates and does not affect ketosis. Similarly, ACETIC ACID is used for flavor and preservation and is safe for keto.

Regarding the additives, SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE is a sequestrant used to prevent discoloration, and the colors APOCAROTENAL, OLEORESIN PAPRIKA, and ANNATTO are used to enhance the orange hue. None of these contribute any digestible carbs. The preservative SORBIC ACID is also keto-safe. There are no thickeners, starches, or added sweeteners in this specific product.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Super Sharp Cheddar Cheese is a powerhouse for the keto diet. It is high in fat, which is the primary energy source on keto, and very low in protein relative to its fat content, which helps keep you within your macros. The most important metric for keto is the carbohydrate count. Hard cheeses like cheddar typically contain less than 1 gram of carbs per serving.

Because the ingredients list does not include any flour, maltodextrin, or sugar, you can trust that the carbohydrate count listed on the nutrition label is accurate. This cheese provides essential nutrients like calcium and vitamin A without the carb load. It fits easily into the daily limit of 20-50 grams of net carbs.