Is Sweet earth hickory & sage benevolent bacon Keto?

The Ingredient Breakdown

To understand why this product fails the Keto test, we need to look closely at the source of its protein and flavor. The primary ingredient is vital wheat gluten. While gluten is a high-protein substance, it is derived from wheat and contains carbohydrates that can add up quickly. For a Keto dieter, wheat derivatives are generally avoided because they can spike insulin levels and contribute to hidden carb counts.

The second major red flag is the presence of cane sugar. Even in small amounts, added sugar is the antithesis of the Keto lifestyle. The goal of Keto is to keep the body in a state of ketosis by limiting carbohydrate intake to under 20-50 grams per day. Added sugars are pure carbohydrates that disrupt this metabolic state immediately.

Finally, the product contains adzuki beans and buckwheat groats. While these are whole foods, they are naturally higher in carbohydrates compared to the leafy greens and healthy fats that typically make up a Keto diet. The combination of these plant-based carbs with added sugar and wheat gluten pushes the total net carb count far too high for a standard Keto serving size.

Nutritional Value

When analyzing the nutritional profile, the macro breakdown is the deciding factor. While the product does contain fats from expeller pressed canola oil, the carbohydrate content is the dealbreaker. A standard serving of this bacon alternative contains roughly 4 to 6 grams of net carbohydrates. While that might sound low to a standard dieter, it represents a significant portion—often 20% to 30%—of a strict Keto dieter's daily allowance.

Furthermore, the calorie density is relatively high for a plant-based protein, meaning you are consuming a decent amount of energy without the satiety of healthy fats. On Keto, you want every gram of carbohydrate to come from nutrient-dense sources like leafy greens or nuts. Wasting your carb limit on processed sugar and wheat gluten is nutritionally inefficient and will likely stall weight loss progress.