Cheese-based spreads have always remained a mystery for those who practice the art of keto. Everyone wants to enjoy the savory, low-carb, creamy delight that is Pimento cheese.
However, is Pimento cheese keto friendly?
Yes, Pimento cheese is keto friendly. You can either prepare Pimento cheese at home or get one from the nearest store. Pimento cheese is somewhat similar to pub cheese, except that it has a unique tangy flavor.
Pimento peppers are mainly responsible for the unique tangy flavor of the pimento cheese dip.
Keep reading to learn more about Pimento cheese and how it can fit into your keto diet.
Is Pimento Cheese Keto?
Keto diet is all about eating low-carb foods with some protein and a lot of healthy fat. Is Pimento cheese keto? Pimento cheese is keto friendly because it contains almost 47% fat. The amount of net carbs in pimento cheese remains low, almost 0%.
Keeping in mind the key principles of the keto diet, you're not likely to lose your ketosis if you eat Pimento cheese. In reality, it adds flavor to your keto meals.
Pimento Cheese – Nutritional Information
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 100 grams of Pimento cheese contains 375 calories. Here is the detailed nutritional information:
Total Fat | 31g (47%) |
Saturated Fat | 20g (100%) |
Cholesterol | 94mg (31%)
|
Sodium | 1428mg (59%) |
Potassium | 162mg (4%) |
Total Carbohydrate | 1.7g (0%) |
Dietary Fiber | 0.1g (0%) |
Granulated Sugar | 0.6g |
Protein | 22g |
Vitamin C | 3% |
Calcium | 61% |
Iron | 2% |
Vitamin D | 5% |
Vitamin B6 | 5% |
Cobalamin | 11% |
Magnesium | 5% |
Is Pimento cheese keto friendly? Considering the high fat, high protein, and low carb content of the Pimento cheese, it's highly recommended for those who practice the art of keto.
Keto pimento cheese dip is great when you prepare it at home. That's because you do not add additives, artificial sweeteners, or preservatives while preparing it.
Pimento Cheese and the Keto Lifestyle
Pimento cheese fits perfectly into the keto lifestyle. You don't have to do much to incorporate pimento cheese into a ketogenic diet. Pimento cheese dip can be a part of your regular keto meals.
For instance, you can enjoy keto Pimento cheese dip with crackers. Sometimes, people prefer homemade Pimento cheese over store-bought Pimento cheese. It doesn't matter because Pimento cheese always adds flavor to your food.
Pimento cheese is also good on the nutrition end. It is low-carb, high-protein, and high-fat cheese for keto eaters. However, Pimento cheese is not for you if you're lactose intolerant.
You're thinking about dairy-free Pimento cheese, right? Well, there's no such thing as a dairy-free Pimento cheese, especially on keto.
Keto Pimento Cheese Recipe
You'll need a bowl and a food processor to prepare the keto Pimento cheese. One good thing about homemade Pimento cheese is the fact that it doesn't contain artificial flavors or preservatives.
Ingredients:
- Cream Cheese
- Mayonnaise
- Smoked Gouda
- Garlic
- Sea Salt
- Cayenne Pepper
- Smoked Paprika
Recipe:
- Use the food processor to mix mayonnaise and cream cheese. You can also mix them in a bowl manually.
- Pour the mayonnaise and cream cheese mixture into a bowl and add all the other ingredients, such as pimento, garlic, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.
- Use a spoon or spatula to mix all the ingredients. Stir the mixture.
Portion control is important even when you eat homemade Pimento cheese. That's because Pimento cheese is a high-fat food.
The quality of the store-bought pimento cheese is deemed different from the homemade Pimento cheese. That's why you should always read the labels while getting ready-made Pimento cheese on Keto.
Pimento cheese contains high sodium content that makes it unfavorable for people suffering from high blood pressure.
Tips for Including Pimento Cheese in a Keto Diet
Pimento cheese can be used as an ingredient to make different foods, such as Pimento cheese stuffed olives or pimento cheese stuffed jalapeños. It can be used to add flavor to other foods, such as toast or crackers.
You might have seen people serving Pimento cheese alongside zucchini sticks, celery sticks, and red pepper strips. You might have tasted a slightly different form of Pimento cheese dip. That's because the keto Pimento cheese recipe has many variations, and the change of a few simple ingredients changes the whole Pimento cheese dip.
The secret of having a good Pimento cheese lies in its freshness. Freshly shredded Pimento cheese will always taste better than old Pimento cheese.
Alternatives to Pimento Cheese on Keto
There are many other keto friendly cheese spread options. Popular ones include Guacamole, Almond Butter, and Cream Cheese.
Guacamole is also a good option, but it tastes way different from Pimento cheese. That's because guacamole contains lime juice, cilantro, and avocado.
One might say that cream cheese is an alternative to Pimento cheese on keto, but actually, cream cheese is an ingredient of the keto Pimento cheese dip. Simply put, you can enjoy cream cheese on keto.
Conclusion
Pimento is a delicious low-carb spread. It comes with a healthy fat content and a moderate level of protein. People prefer homemade Pimento cheese over store-bought Pimento cheese.
It's always better to read the labels while getting Pimento cheese because ready-made Pimento cheese often contains preservatives and additives. Your Pimento cheese dip can be savory if you use freshly shredded Pimento.
However, Pimento cheese is not for you if you have a milk allergy or lactose intolerance. It's prepared using dairy products, and you can always find different variations of the Pimento cheese recipe.
So, you can replace your traditional Pimento cheese recipe with a slightly different recipe. In any case, Pimento cheese is a highly recommended spread for keto eaters.
If you'd like to learn more about keto friendly cheeses, please click on one of the links below: