What Is The Keto Diet And How Does Balsamic Vinegar Factor In
A ketogenic diet achieves its success from getting your body to go into a state thats called ketosis.
Once your body is established on the diet and your body has adjusted, most experts agree that its OK to be a little less militant in carbs completely off the dinner plate.
However, when youre first starting out on keto, its pretty important to be very careful about hidden carbs and follow your diet pretty strictly as otherwise, you might not ever really achieve ketosis.
Like Adkins before it, the Keto diet is high fat and low carb.
When you shed the carbs from your diet, your body enters a state of ketosis where it starts to burn stored fats for energy instead of the carbs you would normally be eating.
The low carb levels in your body lower your bodys glucose levels forcing your body to find alternate forms of energy. So it begins to burn your stored fats.
As that happens your body naturally loses body fat.
Normal inexpensive balsamic vinegar tends to have 4 grams of carbs per 1 tablespoon and 4 grams of sugars per tablespoon and, of course, no fat.
So right out of the gate, we know that balsamic vinegar, while perhaps not high in carbs, doesnt quite meet the test of low carb, high fat associated with keto.
Heres a handy chart showing the most common types of vinegar and how they stack up.
| Type of Vinegar |
Dont Miss: Does Aldi Sell Wine On Sunday
Is There Sugar In Balsamic Vinegar
While I havent seen any balsamic vinegar with any added sugars, that doesnt mean that there arent any in existence.
As mentioned previously, if a product only says balsamic vinegar on the label, there is a possibility it may be an imitation balsamic. This means that the product was artificially created to give it the same balsamic vinegar taste, but through added sweeteners, thickeners, and flavors.
While imitation balsamic is made from vinegar , theyre produced to emulate the texture and flavor of balsamic without going through the balsamic vinegar making process.
If you happen to come across a very cheap bottle of balsamic vinegar, the chances are that it may be imitation balsamic.
A Few Caveats About Keto Wine
While you can certainly drink alcohol on a keto diet, you may want to reconsider doing so for the following reasons:
- The effects of alcohol makes it easier to overeat and drink more. The higher the alcohol content, the more likely you are to sabotage ketosis.
- Alcohol consumption switches off your fat-burning potential. Your body prioritizes getting the alcohol out of your system overusing your fat for energy. This may slow down or even stall weight loss and ketone production.
- You may have a lower alcohol tolerance. There are many anecdotal reports of lower tolerance and worse hangovers when youre running off ketones.
Even though its fine to weave a drink into your weekly keto meal plan here and there especially a glass of low-carb wine it shouldnt be something you do every day. Especially if weight loss is your goal.
Don’t Miss: Who Sells Total Wine Gift Cards
Is Balsamic Glaze Keto Friendly
So now you might be wondering, can I eat balsamic glaze on keto? Balsamic glaze is just a more concentrated version of balsamic vinegar made by gently heating and causing excess water to evaporate.
The result of the gentle heating is a darker, thicker, and usually richer tasting version of the balsamic vinegar.
Many of the balsamic glazes you may find at your local grocery are filled with added sugars in the cooking process, but not always the case.
Make sure you check the ingredient list and nutrition label to ensure no added sugars have been used in the cooking process.
Using Trader Joes as an example, while their balsamic vinegar contains 3 grams of net carbs per tablespoon, their balsamic glaze includes 10 grams of net carbs per tablespoon due to the addition of concentrated grape juice.
While you could potentially fit in 10 grams of net carbs in your daily diet, it’s probably not the best use of your carbs unless you’re dying for some balsamic glaze.
Again, not the best use of, but not totally out of the question.
Different Kinds Of Balsamic Vinegar
You have several choices when choosing balsamic vinegar online. Here are some popular brands:
Traditional Italian Balsamic Vinegar. Made according to traditional methods, this type of balsamic vinegar has been aged for over 20 years. Its rich aroma comes from the aging process.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Balsamic Vinegar. Produced exclusively from organic olive oil, this product is made from 100% natural ingredients. No preservatives or additives are added.
Organic Balsamic Vinegar. This version of balsamic vinegar uses only sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. It also does not contain artificial flavors or colors.
Low Carb Balsamic Vinegar With Stevia. This low-carb alternative to regular balsamic vinegar is sweetened naturally with stevia extract.
Balsamic vinegar can be enjoyed on its own but its best paired with other foods such as cheese, olives, nuts, fruit, etc. If you want to enjoy balsamic vinegar regularly, try making your own homemade balsamic vinegar recipe. Making your own ensures quality control and allows you to customize the taste based on what you like.
So Balsamic vinegar is not keto-friendly.
Read Also: Can Wine Be Shipped To North Carolina
Other Variations On This Coleslaw Recipe
Also, a lot of coleslaw recipes are made using some kind of sweeteners like sugar or honey or agaveetc. You can certainly do that, but you have to be careful with sweeteners as they can turn your low carb coleslaw into a high carb coleslaw and then that defeats your purpose. Instead ours is a sugar-free coleslaw thats even better than the others!
So as a suggestion, you can do two things: just use a little sweetener instead of a lot, a little goes a long way, or you can use one of the powdered sugar substitutes like Swerve. Thats what we used in this one and it comes out really good.
Like a lot of Low Carb recipes, once you have been eating this way for a while, many people find that their sweet tooth diminishes somewhat and they dont need as much sweetener in things as they did before.
Why Make Your Own Salad Dressing
I very very rarely buy store bought dressings anymore. It s so quick and easy to make your own at home, not to mention its much kinder on the wallet. Its also a much healthier option with no preservatives and this recipe also has no added sugar. This red wine vinaigrette is just as flavorful as any store bought!
Recommended Reading: Ounces In A 750 Ml Bottle
Can I Eat Balsamic Glaze On Keto
1-2 tablespoons of balsamic glaze are fine per day on keto as long as there is no added sugar or honey. It will still contain the same 4 grams of carbs per tablespoon typically found in balsamic vinegar which is why limiting the amount is necessary.
What is balsamic glaze?
Balsamic glaze is basically a balsamic reduction made by gently heating balsamic vinegar to evaporate some of the excess water in it. The end result is a darker, thicker, and more flavorful version of balsamic vinegar.
Many glazes contain extra sugar added in the cooking process. The good news is that as sweet as balsamic vinegar already is, no added sugar is really necessary.
That being said if you are buying balsamic glaze at the store, you should check the ingredients to see if any sugar was added.
We know that the total daily allowed carbs on most versions of the keto diet are 50 grams. So giving 4 of those for just a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar is probably not a great idea.
So it stands to reason that balsamic glaze is probably not the best use of your carbs either.
I did, however, find a keto-friendly balsamic glaze recipe so if you just have to indulge a little, check out this recipe from the Keto Kitchen.
Sugar in Balsamic Glaze with Vinegar of #Modena.
SneakySugar.org Added Sugar in Processed Food?
How Does Balsamic Vinegar Fit Into The Keto Diet
The effectiveness of the ketogenic diet is because it induces a metabolic condition known as ketosis in the body. For most people, after theyve gotten used to the diet and their bodies have adapted, they may relax a little bit about eliminating carbohydrates from their diet.
Its essential to be mindful of hidden carbohydrates and stick to your ketogenic diet religiously when youre first starting, else you may never be able to reach ketosis. The Keto diet is rich in fat and low in carbohydrates, much as the Adkins diet was.
Carbohydrate-free dieters go into a condition called ketosis, in which their bodies begin using stored fat for energy instead of the carbohydrates they were previously consuming. Your bodys glucose levels are lowered as a result of the reduced carbohydrate intake, pushing it to search for alternative sources of energy. As a result, your bodys fat reserves begin to be burned.
As a result, your body begins to naturally shed fat stores. Typical, low-cost balsamic vinegar has 4 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of sugar, and no fat per tablespoon. So, we know straight away that although balsamic vinegar is low in carbohydrates, it fails the low carb, high fat test associated with keto because of its high-fat content.
Recommended Reading: Is Malibu Wine Safari Open
Keto Steak Salad With Red Wine Vinaigrette
This post contains affiliate links
This Keto Steak Salad is filled with a ton of greens, sliced avocado, grilled red onions and tomatoes, chopped boiled eggs, sliced jicama, and thinly sliced sirloin and drizzled with a homemade Red Wine Vinaigrette. This salad is not only delicious and super easy to whip up, but its also Whole30, Keto and Paleo friendly.
Anytime I have steak on the weekly menu, I plan to make extra so I can use any leftovers to make this salad the next day. You can serve it with the steak cold, or simply heat up. I prefer it cold, but everyone is different so be sure to prepare it to meet your needs.
Whats The Difference Between Balsamic Vinegar And Regular Vinegar
Unlike balsamic vinegar, which is traditionally made from grapes, white vinegar is essentially acetic acid and water .
Acetic acid is what gives vinegar that classic vinegar taste and smell.
However, In the U.S., vinegar made for human consumption is required to be fermented naturally, by bacteria.
Modern-day distilled vinegar, which isnt distilled , mainly uses ethanol imported from France made from sugar beets.
Vinegar may also be made from anything with sugar, much like balsamic vinegar explained above. For this reason, we have many different varieties of vinegar:
- Apple cider vinegar
You May Like: Which Red Wine Has The Least Amount Of Sugar
How To Use Balsamic Vinegar
Since balsamic vinegar is so versatile, you can use it in many different ways. You can use it as a condiment or salad dressing for meats and vegetables, or even as a marinade for chicken or fish. However, since balsamic vinegar contains more acidity than regular white-wine vinegar does, you may need to adjust the number of other ingredients you use when cooking with it.
Also, since some people may not like the flavor of balsamic vinegar, be sure to use a smaller amount of it when making any recipe with this ingredient. Some people also prefer to only use it in marinades and for glazes on their meat or fish rather than adding it directly into their dishes.
Besides a condiment for meats and vegetables, you may also want to use balsamic vinegar as a salad dressing with some lemon juice and salt. You can also use it as a barbecue sauce or glaze on roasted meat and chicken by mixing it with sugar and spices. Balsamic vinegar is also an excellent substitute for traditional honey mustard sauce. To make honey mustard vinaigrette, you can mix equal parts of honey and Dijon mustard with balsamic vinegar.
Is Balsamic Vinegar Keto Friendly?
Is Vinegar Keto Friendly
Balsamic vinegar is kind of on its own when it comes to vinegar.
So to answer your question, almost all vinegar except for balsamic vinegar will generally have zero carbohydrates and should be perfectly acceptable on a ketogenic diet.
Of course, it still wouldn’t hurt to see if there are any added sugars on the label.
Also Check: What Temp Should A Wine Fridge Be
Are There Any Carbs In Balsamic Vinegar
Balsamic vinegar is a low-carb and keto-friendly food. It is low in carbohydrates but rich in healthy fats which are extremely beneficial for your body. Not only does balsamic vinegar contain important nutrients, but it also has many health benefits too such as playing an essential part in the fight against weight gain or being used to improve the overall wellbeing of your bodys cells.
Balsamic Vinegar has been used for centuries as a preservative to prevent spoilage of food. Considered an excellent marinade or glaze that enhances the flavor of many foods, its health benefits are widely known but often underestimated by western society today due to the lack of high-quality balsamic vinegar available on the market. It contains some carbohydrates but it will not cause blood sugar spikes and it is rich in antioxidants.
Balsamic vinegar is a fermented product, which means that it has some natural sugars in it. However, if youre following a keto diet this wont be an issue because the majority of those carbs are from fiber and not from sugars.
This makes it a great choice for people who are on keto or low carb diets because you can use less to achieve the same taste without worrying about getting too many calories from the extra sugar.
What Are The Best Wines For Keto
Unless you live in a cave , you have no doubt heard the buzz about keto. Maybe you have some friends who are on it, or you yourself have found that following a ketogenic diet has improved your energy and contributed to weight loss and muscle gain.
The ketogenic diet has certainly made waves, but unlike many other eating plans, advocates and adherents insist that this is not a diet at all. Its a lifestyle, a way of eating that becomes an ingrained habit. But it should also be enjoyable! After all, how long can we really stick to a plan if we cannot treat ourselves now and then? This brings us to the big question: can you drink wine on keto?
Don’t Miss: Ounces Wine Bottle
Best White Wines For Keto
1. Sauvignon Blanc
Despite its almost sweet crispness, sauvignon blanc contains the least amount of carbs and sugars, making it a top dry keto wine to choose from. In just one glass of sauvignon blanc, youll find only 3 grams of carbs.
2. Chardonnay
While both sauvignon blanc and chardonnay are considered dry wines, the former is a light-bodied wine and the latter is just the opposite: a full-bodied wine.
Despite this difference, a glass of chardonnay will run you 3.2 grams of carbs, just slightly above a sauvignon blanc, but not by much.
3. Pinot Grigio
A glass of pinot grigio will set you back around the same amount of carbs as a glass of cabernet sauvignon. And if youre in the mood for white wine, pinot grigio and pinot blanc are about equal nutritionally.
4. Pinot Blanc
Pinot blanc, which closely resembles a pinot grigio, also clocks in at 3.8 grams of carbs per serving.
You may have noticed there isnt much of a difference between the carb counts in these top seven keto-friendly wines. Each glass from this list ranges between 3 and 3.8 grams of carbs.
Take the keto quiz
However, you will see a much different picture when you compare these seven to the rest of the wines out there.
5. Reisling
Rieslings are typically a light golden, medium-bodied wine with a bite of acidity and relatively low alcohol. These hit a little higher in carb count at 5.5 grams per glass, but one glass shouldnt kick you out of ketosis.
6. Rose
What Is The Best Type Of Balsamic Vinegar
The top two varieties that Ive found are Original and Dolce. Both types have a similar flavor profile with some added sweetness or oakiness. Original Balsamic Vinegar will be drier than Dolce Balsamic Vinegar. It is aged for at least 12 years and bottled without any additives or coloring.
Dolce Balsamic Vinegar will be darker, and sweeter than the Original variety. It is aged for a shorter period of time and may contain caramel color as well as sugar to help keep it from oxidizing too quickly.
Read Also: Does Keto Lower Blood Pressure
Also Check: Who Sells Total Wine Gift Cards
Is Balsamic Vinegar Gluten
Balsamic vinegar is gluten-free since there are no proteins found in wine vinegar. In fact, it is also gluten-free for those who are lactose intolerant since it does not contain any milk products or dairy ingredients either. Balsamic vinegar has a lower level of acidity than white wine vinegar and thus wont change the taste of your dish as much as regular red-wine vinegar will.
However, if you have celiac disease, do not consume balsamic vinegar because it can lead to bloating and intestinal damage.
What About Major Brands
Most major brands of ACV, including Braggs and Heinz, list 0 grams of total and net carbs on their food labels .
Therefore, its important to look at the nutrient label of any product you intend to buy, as some brands may have fewer carbs than others.
Summary
ACV provides 1 gram of net and total carbs in a 1-tablespoon serving. It has no fat, calories, or protein.
Read Also: What Temperature For White Wine Fridge
