If you're considering embarking on a Ketogenic diet, you may have asked yourself "is cream cheese keto?" or "can I eat cream cheese on a low-carb diet?" Well, we have the answer (hint: it's yes!) as well as more details.
Here at CIK we LOVE cream cheese so we thought we'd make a whole post on a common question: "can I eat cream cheese on a keto diet?". Below you'll find all the information about cream cheese you'll ever need to know, more than enough probably 😉 😂 .
First, a disclaimer
There is no "Keto" food group, "Keto" refers to a metabolic state where your body uses fat for fuel instead of glycogen. As long as your macros are 5-10% for your daily carbohydrate intake, you'll likely be in ketosis. For most people, this will fall between 20g to 50g net carbs per day. A Ketogenic diet is low is carbs, high in fat, and moderate in protein.
So, if you want to get all of your carbs from a tablespoon of double chocolate cheesecake or a bite of fried chicken, then, by all means, do it. Are there healthier ways to incorporate carbs into your diet? Of course! However, don't get hung up on what is or isn't "Keto", eating this way shouldn't be stressful.
Is cream cheese keto?
Yes, cream cheese is Keto friendly and can be included on any low-carb diet plan. Whether you're using cream cheese to make our famous keto cheese ball.
What is cream cheese exactly?
Cream cheese is a soft mild-tasting cheese made with milk and cream.
The FDA defines cream cheese as containing at least 33% milkfat with a moisture content of less than 55%. In other countries, some define cream cheese as having much higher fat content.
Cream cheese is not naturally matured so it is meant to be eaten fresh, not aged. It is similar in taste and texture to Boursin and mascarpone.
Types of cream cheese + cream cheese brands
When you think about cream cheese, you're probably thinking about Philadelphia cream cheese, which is a brand, not a type of cream cheese.
We try to opt for grass-fed cream cheese and/or organic. It's better for you, and the planet. Some brands we love are Organic Valley, Green Valley Creamery, or Nancy's.
Plant-based substitutes for cream cheese (that are still Keto-friendly)
There are tons of great plant-based options available for dairy products and most, if not all, of them are also keto friendly. We love Miyokos or KiteHill dairy-free cream cheese!
Carbs and net carbs in cream cheese [nutrition facts]
There are 0.6 grams of total carbs per tablespoon of cream cheese. The net carbs are the same since cream cheese does not contain any fiber.
Per tablespoon cream cheese contains:
- 49 calories
- 5 grams fat
- 2.8 grams saturated fat
- 0.6 grams of carbs
- and 0.9 grams of protein.
Keto diet recipes that use cream cheese
From main dishes to fat bombs to keto dessert recipes, cream cheese does it all! Here are some of our favorite recipes that use it:
- Keto Cheesecake - cream cheese + keto sweetener = the BEST sugar-free cheesecake!
- Keto Rolls
- Keto Creamed Spinach
- Keto Cream of Chicken Soup
- Keto Queso Soup
- Keto Breakfast Fat Bombs
Plus so many more! We have a TON of recipes that include cream cheese, you can find all of them here.
What else can I eat on Keto?
Are you wondering what else is or isn't okay to eat on a Keto diet? Check out our archive which covers everything from peanut butter to cauliflower - we're constantly updating this page with new articles so be sure to check back periodically for new content!
Frequently asked questions
Want to make your own cream cheese? Check out our recipe for a homemade cream cheese option!
📖 Recipe
Homemade Keto Cream Cheese
Instructions
- Bring the whole milk to a boil in a large cast-iron Dutch oven.
- While whisking, add the lemon juice one tablespoon at a time in one-minute intervals until curd forms on top.
- Turn off the heat and pour the curdled milk through a cheesecloth placed over a bowl. Let strain for 10 minutes.
- Transfer the curds to a blender or food processor and blend for 2-3 minutes until smooth.
- Season with salt and refrigerate until ready to use.
Rachel M says
Thank-you for this recipe. It looks real easy, I'm going to try it. Can I also use the whey on a Keto diet? If so, how come there's no lactose? Where does it go??!