Is Red food color Keto?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When analyzing whether a product fits the ketogenic diet, we look for hidden sugars, starches, and high-carb fillers. Let's look at the specific ingredients found in this Red food color:

The primary ingredients are water and propylene glycol. Water is carb-free, and propylene glycol is a sugar-alcohol-like liquid often used as a solvent. While it is technically an alcohol, it has negligible caloric impact and does not affect blood sugar levels, making it safe for keto.

For the color itself, the product uses FD&C Red 40 (E129) and FD&C Red 3 (E127). These are synthetic dyes. They are pure colorants with no nutritional value, meaning they contain zero carbohydrates. They are chemically derived and do not contain grains or sugars.

The final ingredient is 0.1% Propylparaben (E216), which acts as a preservative. Parabens are used in very small quantities to prevent bacterial growth. Like the dyes, this preservative does not contribute to your daily carb count.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Red food color is essentially inert. It is not a source of vitamins, minerals, protein, or fiber. Its value lies solely in aesthetics.

Regarding the specific macros required for keto, this product is ideal. The serving size is typically a single drop, and the nutritional label reflects this with 0 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fat, and 0 grams of protein. Because the ketogenic diet limits carb intake to usually 20-50 grams per day, using a few drops of this coloring will take up 0% of your daily allowance.

However, it is important to note that while it fits the diet, it provides no satiety or energy. It is strictly a cosmetic additive.