Is cornstarch keto-friendly? When your mind is focused on cornstarch many different applications might be in your forefront. Perhaps you’ve tried it to substitute for baby powder or used it to add a thickening agent to the gluten-free recipes you bake. However, you might also be asking yourself, “Is cornstarch bad for you?” This blog post will provide the answer to that question and even more.
What is Cornstarch?
It’s odd to think that the substance that is used in industrial items like gloves made of latex could be edible. It’s actually true.
Cornstarch is an extremely fine, white powder that is made from the endosperms from the kernels of corn. The endosperm will discover all the starch within the kernel.
This starch was the reason that caused its discovery in the year 1840 at a wheat starch manufacturing facility located in Jersey City, New Jersey in the year 1840. It was used to make industrial products until it was used in the food industry in 1851.
Although cornstarch may be considered a fine-grained powder that can be used for numerous applications, it does not have any nutritional value at all. It’s not a source of protein, healthy fats or minerals, vitamins or nutrients.
1 cup of cornstarch has-the following:
488 calories
Zero grams of fat
Protein is negligible.
A total of 117 grams carbohydrates
Two grams of fiber
When it comes to cooking the most common use for cornstarch is for thickening soups, sauces stews, custards and various other liquid-based dishes. Many people prefer cornstarch over wheat flour due to its transparent color and flavorless but its large amount of carbs is a crucial aspect to consider. The question, however, that crops up is–Is cornstarch bad for you?
Is Cornstarch bad for you?
To determine whether cornstarch is harmful to people who are following keto diet examine the amount you’d use in your typical dish and determine if the amount of carbs is too high.
You can determine the amount of flour you’d need for a particular recipe. If you are substituting flour, you’ll only have to use half of what amount cornstarch. For instance, a dish which requires 1 cup of flour would require a half cup of cornstarch.
It is important to be aware that a half-cup portion of cornstarch has more than fifty-eight grams net carbohydrates. That means that even a quarter cup of this thickener can be enough to get your body out of ketosis.
The ketogenic diet standard (SKD) recommends that you keep between a carb intake between 20 to 50 grams per day, but often lower than the latter. This SKD is the most popular choice for those who are starting ketogenic diets or a ketogenic diet that is low in carbs.
The beginning of the idea of a deficit in carbs is vital in transforming your metabolism. When you consume carbohydrates, your body is naturally looking to use them to generate energy. When you rid yourself of carbohydrates your body turns at its second fuel source, fats.
Different Keto Diets, which allow the intake of more carbs
There are various other kinds of ketogenic diets that permit the consumption of cornstarch. This type of ketogenic targeted diet (TKD) is designed for those who have an active lifestyle and need an extra amount of carbohydrates to help fuel their exercises.
The TKD allows 20-50 extra grams of carbohydrates one hour prior to and after the exercise window.
For the two days of carb-backloading it is possible to consume anywhere from 400 to 600 grams of carbs to replenish you glycogen storage. This is when you could consume cornstarch however, not in large quantities.
When should Cornstarch be avoided in a low-carb or Keto Diet?
Although you might think that cornstarch is healthy because it’s plant-based, the truth is that it’s not. The only benefit that cornstarch can provide is if you’re trying to lose weight.
Due to its lack of flavor and high calories, it’s a great way to consume the extra calories and increase you insulin level. But, the majority of people need to be aware of taking excessive amounts of this agent for thickening.
Although you shouldn’t use these ingredients if on the ketogenic diet that is low in carbs or a standard ketogenic diet, you must be aware of it when you are eating the ketogenic diet that you’re on.
The quarter-cup portion of a serving is approximately 24 grams net carbs. This little amount of cornstarch could be enough to help you get out of ketosis, even in the event that you’re trying to use the carbs as fuel for your exercise.
Other gluten-free products to avoid when you are on the Keto Diet
If you’re looking for alternatives to baking that are gluten-free you’ll find that cornstarch is an extremely popular thickening agent. You may also be interested in these options, which could adversely affect your keto-friendly goals. What should you do? Do not take them on at all costs.
If you’re trying to transform an ingredient that requires cornstarch to be keto-friendly both coconut flour and almond flour can be alternatives. It is possible to add xanthan gum to make to keep it together. The majority of gluten-free recipes utilize xanthan gum, which is why it’s best to keep some in your pantry.
Wrapping up
So, is cornstarch keto friendly? No, it is not. Cornstarch doesn’t cause harm, but it can cause weight gain or even kick you from ketosis.
If you’re considering including cornstarch in your most loved low-carb meals beware. Although it is commonly used in a wide variety of dishes but it’s not a good choice for ketogenic or low-carb diet.
There are a variety of cornstarch substitutes that are low-carb, especially almond flour, coconut flour and flour which you can select from.
There are certain situations where the ketogenic diet allows you to consume a greater quantity of carbs, it’s only on days of carb-backloading when you’re following an TKD as well as CKD. The rest of your days on the ketogenic diet must be limited to between 20 to 50 grams of carbohydrates or perhaps smaller.
The first step is to make sure you’re in the macronutrients range. They can be calculated correctly using the no-cost Perfect Keto calculator.
Due to the high amount of carbs in cornstarch you must be wary of it when you are on the ketogenic diet particularly in the case of weight loss being your aim. With a variety of cornstarch alternatives, you can locate a low-carb thickener that might go well with your favorite recipes.
