Is Swanson broth beef-low sodium Keto?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When evaluating a product for the ketogenic diet, we look beyond just the total carbohydrates. The source of those carbs matters immensely. The primary ingredient in this broth is Beef Stock, which is excellent. It provides the savory flavor and minerals you want without adding carbs. However, the trouble starts in the "less than 2%" section.

The first red flag is Cane Sugar. On a keto diet, the goal is to minimize sugar intake to keep insulin levels low and maintain a state of ketosis. Even a small amount of added sugar is an unnecessary carbohydrate that can spike blood glucose. Manufacturers often add sugar to balance the salty flavor of the broth, but for a keto adherent, this is a dealbreaker.

Additionally, we see Natural Flavoring and Yeast Extract. While these are generally recognized as safe and used to enhance the umami flavor, they can sometimes be derived from processes that involve sugars or starches. However, the explicit listing of Cane Sugar is the primary reason this product fails the strict keto test.

Nutritional Value

Looking at the nutritional profile, a standard serving of this broth contains approximately 15 calories. The fat content is negligible, usually less than 1 gram, which is typical for a clear broth. The protein content is also very low, typically around 2 grams per serving.

The crucial metric for our analysis is the carbohydrate count. This broth generally lists 2 grams of total carbohydrates per serving. While 2 grams seems low, the fact that 1 gram comes directly from added sugar is the issue. On a strict keto diet, you are often aiming for under 20 grams of total carbs for the entire day. Wasting 1 gram on added sugar in a broth that should be zero-carb is inefficient. It fits within a low-carb diet, but it does not align with the strict sugar-avoidance principles of keto.