Is Tapioca Starch Keto Friendly?

Answer: Unfortunately, tapioca starch is not keto-friendly. This is primarily due to its high carbohydrate content and low dietary fiber.

The ketogenic diet primarily focuses on low-carb and high-fat foods, and tapioca starch does not fit this profile due to its nutritional composition:

• High in Carbohydrates: Tapioca starch contains 88.69g of carbohydrates per 100g, which is significantly higher than the recommended daily intake for a typical keto diet.
• Low in Dietary Fiber: Dietary fiber can offset some of the carb count since it’s not digested as glucose, but tapioca starch contains just 0.9g of dietary fiber per 100g, which is not nearly enough to make a significant impact.
• Negligible Fat Content: The keto diet emphasizes on foods rich in healthy fats, but tapioca starch contains only 0.02g of total fat per 100g.
• Low in Protein: Protein is another important component of the keto diet, but tapioca starch contains only 0.19g of protein per 100g.
• Calorically Dense: Tapioca starch has 358 kcal per 100g, and considering its high carb and low fiber content, this makes it a poor choice for those following a ketogenic diet.

In conclusion, despite being gluten-free and a popular choice for thickening soups and sauces, tapioca starch is not a good fit for a ketogenic diet. For those on a keto diet, it’s crucial to prioritize foods that are high in healthy fats and low in carbohydrates.