Keto and gluten-free diets are all the rage these days. And for a good reason:
They can be effective ways to lose weight and improve your overall health. But can you still enjoy your favorite foods on these diets?
The short answer is yes! There is plenty of keto- and gluten-free-friendly options available at IKEA, including meatballs.
The popular founder of IKEA believed that customers shouldn’t shop while hungry. He added a food court to the stores with a lot of options.
Being Swedish, he wanted to ensure that people could taste some of the food from his homeland.
As most people know, Sweden is known for its meatballs. The question is, will it fit the keto and/or gluten-free diets?
Are IKEA Meatballs Keto and Gluten-free?
What is a Keto Diet?
A keto diet is a very low-carb, high-fat diet where you reduce your carbohydrate intake and replace it with a very high-fat intake.
This reduction in carbs forces the body into a metabolic state called ketosis. It helps to burn fat more effectively.
What is a Gluten-Free Diet?
A gluten-free diet is a diet that does not include the protein gluten. Gluten is found in wheat, barley, and rye.
Many people who cannot tolerate gluten are also sensitive to casein and lactose proteins. A gluten-free diet helps with celiac disease, an autoimmune disease that damages the small intestine’s lining.
IKEA meatballs are not keto-friendly as they are made with wheat flour. However, IKEA does offer a gluten-free version of its meatballs.
The ingredients in the gluten-free meatballs are pork, veal, salt, onion, egg, potato starch, and pepper. So, if you are following a gluten-free diet, IKEA meatballs can be a good option.
Protein and fat content of IKEA Meatballs
IKEA meatballs contain 22g of protein and 17g of fat per 100g serving. This makes them a good option for those following a ketogenic diet.
However, the high carbohydrate content means they are unsuitable for those on a strict low-carb diet.
IKEA meatballs also contain 2g of fiber per 100g serving. This is a good amount of fiber and helps to offset the high carbohydrate content.
Are IKEA meatballs keto and gluten-free? The answer is no; they are not keto-friendly due to their high wheat flour content.
However, IKEA does offer a gluten-free version of their meatballs which can be a good option for those on a gluten-free diet.
While IKEA meatballs are not keto, they are a good source of protein and fat.
This makes them a good option for those following a ketogenic diet. However, their high carbohydrate content should be eaten in moderation.
For the keto diet, that will depend on precisely how many carbs are being consumed. A serving of four IKEA meatballs has three grams of carbs.
This does not make it keto-friendly, especially when paired with mashed potatoes and gravy.
The chicken balls have five grams, and the vegetable balls have sixteen grams. So, it is essential to check the carb content of any dish before eating.
IKEA does provide a gluten-free version of their meatballs; however, they are not currently keto. The company is currently working on a keto-friendly version that will be available shortly.
In the meantime, there are plenty of other keto-friendly options available at IKEA, including Swedish meatballs.
So, you can still enjoy your favorite foods while following a ketogenic diet. Of the three, the meatballs would be the best fit.
The keto diet is about limiting carbs to get the body into ketoacidosis. This state allows fat to be burned at a higher rate and records a great deal of weight loss.
Many diabetics use this diet as it also helps control blood sugar. However, the diet can be dangerous and should be medically supervised… particularly if there are any underlying health problems.
A gluten-free diet is often needed to treat celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine.
This makes it hard to absorb nutrients, including gluten. A gluten-free diet h, which can be difficult to maintain. Many gluten-free products are available; however, they can be expensive.
IKEA meatballs are not currently keto or gluten-free; however, the company is working on a keto-friendly version that will be available soon.
In the meantime, there are plenty of other options available at IKEA, including the Swedish meatballs, that are both keto and gluten-free.
The gluten-free diet has fewer complications in the health department, but it is much harder to follow when purchasing premade products.
Even with careful inspection of package information, gluten can sneak in. However, many companies are working to help people with gluten sensitivity find their needed products. IKEA is one of them.
Gluten Sensitivity, if not taken seriously, can lead to Celiac Disease. This is an autoimmune disorder that damages the lining of the small intestine.
The only treatment for this disease is a gluten-free diet.
Ikea meatballs are not keto-friendly as they are made with wheat flour. However, IKEA does offer a gluten-free version of its meatballs.
The ingredients in the gluten-free meatballs are pork, veal, salt, onion, egg, potato starch, and pepper. So, if you are following a gluten-free diet, IKEA meatballs can be a good option.
The philosophy that brought about the vegetable meatball is more than making something gluten-free. Some cultures eat no meat.
There are cultures where meatballs or chicken balls would not fit in the cuisine. The vegetable ball is meant for those and for those who have chosen to avoid meat for any other reason.
The ingredients in the gluten-free meatballs are pork, veal, salt, onion, egg, potato starch, and pepper. So, if you are following a gluten-free diet, IKEA meatballs can be a good option.
The ingredients in the vegetable balls change depending on the season. This is because IKEA prefers to keep its carbon footprint low and uses what is seasonably available.
Sustainable farming is central to the company’s tenets. This means that the ingredients could be different each time you visit IKEA. The company does use preservatives; however, they are all-natural.
The keto diet is used to treat certain medical conditions. It can be difficult to follow and requires careful planning.
IKEA does not currently have a lot of keto-friendly options; however, they are working on a keto-friendly version of more meals that will be available soon.
In the meantime, there are plenty of other keto-friendly options available at IKEA, including Swedish meatballs. So, you can still enjoy your favorite foods while following the keto diet.
Other considerations went into the crafting of these meatless meatballs. Often, those who make fake meat use soy as the base.
This is a problem for those allergic to it but an even bigger problem for those who have or are at risk for hormone-related cancers. Soy contains phytoestrogen, which can trigger cancer growth.
With chickpeas, kale, peas, and other healthy vegetables in the veggie meatballs, they are the most beneficial choice of the three.
Studies show that those who eat more vegetables are healthier than those who rely mostly on meat in their diet.
The health benefits of eating vegetables are numerous, and IKEA’s veggie balls provide an excellent way to get your recommended daily intake.
Ikea meatballs are not currently keto or gluten-free; however, the company is working on a keto-friendly version that will be available soon.
In the meantime, there are plenty of other keto-friendly options available at IKEA, including Swedish meatballs. So, you can still enjoy your favorite foods while following the keto diet.
If you suffer from gluten sensitivity, you should be careful about what you eat. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley and can damage the small intestine.
Ikea meatballs are not currently keto or gluten-free; however, the company is working on a keto-friendly version that will be available soon.
The biggest drawback to all of the IKEA meatballs is the sodium content. This is not something that is found only in these products.
Almost all processed foods have a lot of sodium in them. Those with health issues that worsen with large amounts of sodium should always read the ingredient labels.
To Sum It Up:
Ikea meatballs are a good option for those following a gluten-free diet. The ingredients in the gluten-free meatballs are pork, veal, salt, onion, egg, potato starch, and pepper.
The keto diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet used to treat certain medical conditions.
IKEA does not currently have a lot of keto-friendly options; however, they are working on a keto-friendly version of their meatballs that will be available soon.
In the meantime, there are plenty of other keto-friendly options available at IKEA, including Swedish meatballs. So, you can still enjoy your favorite foods while following the keto diet.