Keto Pint Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream Bars offer a sweet and savory treat, featuring sea salt caramel ice cream dipped in a rich, dark chocolate shell. These bars cater to health-conscious consumers with attributes like zero sugar added, natural sweeteners, Keto certification, gluten-free status, and Kosher certification. This article provides a detailed examination of the ingredients and nutritional profile of these ice cream bars.
Commitment to Sustainability
Keto Foods emphasizes sustainability through its partnership with the Cocoa Horizons Foundation. This collaboration aims to enhance the livelihoods of cocoa farmers in rural communities by sourcing 100% of its cocoa sustainably. Furthermore, the company sources its cream from a farmer-owned dairy cooperative, supporting American farm families.
Key Features
The defining characteristics of Keto Pint Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream Bars include:
- Zero Sugar Added: The absence of added sugar makes these bars suitable for individuals monitoring their sugar intake.
- Natural Sweeteners: The bars utilize natural sweeteners, appealing to consumers seeking alternatives to refined sugars.
- Keto Certified: This certification confirms that the bars align with the dietary guidelines of a ketogenic diet.
- Gluten-Free: The gluten-free designation caters to individuals with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
- Kosher: Kosher certification ensures adherence to Jewish dietary laws.
- Real Cream from Local Farms: The use of real cream sourced from local farms contributes to the product's quality.
- 2g Net Carbs: With only 2 grams of net carbs per serving, these bars are designed to fit into a low-carbohydrate lifestyle.
Nutritional Information
Each Keto Pint Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream Bar provides the following nutritional information:
- Serving Size: 1 bar (65g)
- Servings Per Container: 4.0
- Calories: 160
The % Daily Value (DV) indicates the contribution of each nutrient to a daily diet based on a 2,000-calorie intake.
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Detailed Ingredient List
A comprehensive list of ingredients provides insights into the composition of the ice cream bars:
- Cream: Forms the base of the ice cream, providing a creamy texture and rich flavor.
- Water: Used as a solvent and to adjust the consistency of the ice cream base.
- Chocolate Coating:
- Unsweetened Chocolate: Provides the dark chocolate flavor and color.
- Coconut Oil: Contributes to the coating's texture and melting properties.
- Erythritol: A natural, low-calorie sweetener used to provide sweetness without added sugar.
- Cocoa Butter: Adds richness and smoothness to the chocolate coating.
- Sunflower Lecithin: An emulsifier that helps blend the ingredients and create a smooth texture.
- MCT Oil: Medium-chain triglyceride oil, often included in keto products for its potential health benefits.
- Steviol Glycosides: A natural sweetener derived from the stevia plant.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the chocolate coating.
- Egg Yolk: Adds richness and emulsification to the ice cream base.
- Erythritol: A natural, low-calorie sweetener.
- Chicory Root Fiber: A prebiotic fiber that can contribute to digestive health and add sweetness.
- Milk Protein Concentrate: Increases the protein content and contributes to the texture of the ice cream.
- Tapioca Fiber: A source of fiber that can help improve the texture and stability of the ice cream.
- Natural Flavor: Enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Vegetable Glycerin: A sugar alcohol that acts as a humectant, helping to retain moisture and improve texture.
- Sea Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the caramel flavor.
- Guar Gum: A natural thickener and stabilizer.
- Steviol Glycosides: A natural sweetener derived from the stevia plant.
- Annatto Extract: A natural food coloring that provides a yellow or orange hue.
- Monk Fruit Extract: A natural, zero-calorie sweetener derived from monk fruit.
- Xanthan Gum: A stabilizer and thickener that improves the texture of the ice cream.
- Gum Acacia: A natural gum used as a stabilizer and emulsifier.
Allergen Information
Consumers with allergies should be aware of the following allergen information:
- Contains: Eggs and their derivatives, Milk and its derivatives.
- May Contain: Wheat and Their Derivatives, Tree Nuts and Their Derivatives, Peanuts and their derivatives.
Dissecting the Ingredients: A Closer Look
To fully appreciate the composition of Keto Pint Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream Bars, it's essential to understand the role and significance of some key ingredients:
Sweeteners
The absence of added sugar is a major selling point, and the bars achieve sweetness through a combination of natural sweeteners:
- Erythritol: A sugar alcohol that occurs naturally in some fruits and fermented foods. It has a very low glycemic index and is well-tolerated by most people.
- Steviol Glycosides: Extracted from the stevia plant, these glycosides are intensely sweet but contain no calories and do not affect blood sugar levels.
- Monk Fruit Extract: Derived from the monk fruit, this extract is another natural, zero-calorie sweetener with a clean taste.
Fats
The fat content is crucial for the creamy texture and overall satisfaction of the ice cream bars:
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- Cream: Provides the foundation of the ice cream, contributing richness and a smooth mouthfeel.
- Coconut Oil: Found in the chocolate coating, coconut oil adds to the coating's texture and provides a source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs).
- Cocoa Butter: Another component of the chocolate coating, cocoa butter enhances the richness and contributes to the smooth, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
- MCT Oil : MCTs are believed by some to help with weight loss and satiety.
Fibers and Stabilizers
These ingredients play important roles in texture, stability, and even sweetness:
- Chicory Root Fiber: Besides adding sweetness, chicory root fiber acts as a prebiotic, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
- Tapioca Fiber: Contributes to the overall fiber content and helps prevent ice crystal formation, ensuring a smoother texture.
- Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Gum Acacia: These natural gums act as stabilizers and thickeners, preventing the ice cream from becoming grainy or separating.
Emulsifiers
Emulsifiers are essential for blending ingredients that don't naturally mix, such as oil and water:
- Sunflower Lecithin: A natural emulsifier derived from sunflowers, it helps create a smooth and consistent texture in the chocolate coating.
The Appeal to Keto Dieters
Keto Pint Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream Bars are specifically formulated to appeal to individuals following a ketogenic diet. The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, very low-carbohydrate diet that forces the body to burn fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. To adhere to this diet, it's crucial to minimize carbohydrate intake.
These ice cream bars align with keto principles due to:
- Low Net Carb Content: With only 2 grams of net carbs per bar, they fit comfortably within the daily carbohydrate limits of most keto dieters. Net carbs are calculated by subtracting fiber and sugar alcohols (like erythritol) from total carbohydrates.
- High Fat Content: The high fat content, primarily from cream and coconut oil, provides the necessary fuel for the body on a ketogenic diet.
- Sugar-Free Formulation: The absence of added sugar prevents blood sugar spikes and helps maintain a state of ketosis.
Comparison to Traditional Ice Cream
Compared to traditional ice cream, Keto Pint Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream Bars offer several distinct advantages for health-conscious consumers:
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- Lower Sugar Content: Traditional ice cream is typically loaded with added sugar, whereas these bars use natural, low-calorie sweeteners.
- Lower Carbohydrate Content: The significantly lower carbohydrate content makes these bars a suitable option for individuals following low-carbohydrate diets, such as the ketogenic diet.
- Gluten-Free: Traditional ice cream may contain gluten-containing additives or ingredients, making these bars a safer choice for those with gluten sensitivities.
However, it's important to note that these bars may also differ in texture and taste compared to traditional ice cream due to the use of alternative sweeteners and stabilizers.
Potential Health Considerations
While Keto Pint Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream Bars offer several benefits, it's essential to consider potential health considerations:
- Sugar Alcohols: Some individuals may experience digestive discomfort, such as bloating or diarrhea, from consuming sugar alcohols like erythritol.
- Allergens: Individuals with allergies to milk, eggs, tree nuts, or peanuts should exercise caution due to the potential for cross-contamination.
- Overall Diet: While these bars can be a part of a healthy diet, they should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced eating plan.