So, is Cream Of Tartar keto? Although cream of tartar initially appears to be high in carbs, in reality, so little is used in baking that it is, in fact, keto friendly. Some people are concerned about the amount of potassium, however, as we explain below, that is nothing to be concerned about if you are only using the product in small amounts.
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What Is Cream Of Tartar?
Cream of Tartar is a byproduct of winemaking, with a versatile, powdery base that can either be used as a cleaning agent or within baking.
It’s added to baking soda in order to make baking powder.
It may come as some surprise but Cream of Tartar isn’t creamy as the name suggests.
The substance is referred to by this name commercially because it makes it more marketable than its alternative scientific names. These other names are potassium bitartrate, potassium tartrate or simply, potassium salt.
Its core purpose in baking is to be added to stabilize eggs and whipped cream and speed up the volumizing process.
Since it contains a chemical component capable of breaking down sucrose and glucose in the body, cream of tartar may also be used to prevent the crystallization of syrups and sauces.
In order to
What Is The Nutritional Value Of Cream Of Tartar?
The following nutritional values are based on 100 grams of Cream of Tartar in its commercial state:
Carbs: 12 grams
Protein: 0 grams
Fat: 0 grams
Fibre: 0.2 grams
Sugar: 0 grams
Calories: 258 cal
There’s an addition of 16.5 grams of potassium in 100 grams of Cream of Tartar, which equates to almost 5 times the average adult’s daily recommended amount, however, the reality is that you should never be eating 100 grams of this in one go.
How Many Net Carbs Are There In Cream Of Tartar?
The net carbs of the substance can be calculated by deducting the amount of fiber from the total number of carbs.
In 100g of Cream of Tartar, there are approximately 11.8g of net carbs; (12 grams of carbs – 0.2 grams of fiber = 11.8 grams of net carbs).
An average serving size of cream of tartar is around 9 grams (depending on the recipe) meaning that an average serving of cream of tartar is around 1 gram of net carbs.
Is Cream Of Tartar Keto Friendly?
The simple answer to this is yes, cream of tartar is keto friendly.
Addressing The Potassium Concerns
Let’s have a look at how much potassium is in cream of tartar.
The recommended daily requirement of potassium for adults between the ages of 19 to 64 years needs 3,500mg (3.5g). This requirement can be found in approximately 21 grams of Cream of Tartar, as can approximately 13 grams of unwanted carbohydrates.
You’re unlikely to willingly consume that much of the substance in its base form on a daily basis, so it’s safe to assume that the majority of your daily potassium intake would be derived from food sources.
There are certain foods like avocado, fresh salmon, brussels sprouts, mushrooms, zucchini, and leafy green vegetables that contain a considerable amount of potassium.
For more on potassium on the keto diet, how much to consume, and the health benefits, check out our article which covers all of your questions about potassium and keto.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Cream Of Tartar?
Here’s where Cream of Tartar can be universally beneficial to those who can’t manage to find their daily requirements in foods alone.
Taking ½ – 1 teaspoon of it each day mixed into a glass of water will provide up to 20% of the daily recommended amount of potassium.
Doing so can help you avoid the symptoms of potassium deficiency, including muscle cramps, mood changes, and fatigue which can be side effects of the keto flu.
Keto Top Tips
Staying hydrated on the keto diet is really important, for more on how much water you should be drinking, check out our guide to staying hydrated on the keto diet.
If you’re planning on dehydrating yourself(!) and drinking alcohol on the keto diet, check out our ultimate guide to drinking alcohol on a keto diet. Also, you may be interested in, how to recover from a cheat day.
Summary: Is Cream Of Tartar Keto?
Yes, cream of tartar is keto friendly and is often used within keto baking. Although it initially appears high in carbs, the reality is that it is consumed in such small quantities that it is not going to knock you out of ketosis. Cream of tartar is also high in potassium, which can be helpful if you are trying to overcome some of the initial side effects of keto.
