Is Clam Chowder Keto?

No, clam chowder is not a keto-friendly food product. It has a high carbohydrate content that would knock you out of ketosis and a low fat value, making it unsuitable for the ketogenic diet.

Not Keto-Friendly 

• Clam chowder is not keto-friendly. Keto-friendly food products need to have a low carb and high fat content. Clam chowder has 8.56g of total carbs per 100g, making it relatively high in carbs.
• On the ketogenic diet, it is important to limit your carbohydrate intake to help the body stay in the metabolic state of ketosis. Eating clam chowder could push you over the 20–30g daily carbohydrate limit.

High in Carbohydrates 

• The metabolic state of ketosis is the fat-burning state in your body. It is when the body burns stored body fat for fuel rather than blood glucose. It can be maintained in two ways; by long periods of fasting, or by eating at a continuously low-carb rate, like on the keto diet.
• Eating fewer than 20–30g of carbohydrates per day is the best way to maintain this fat-burning state to support your weight loss journey.
• Clam chowder has a relatively high carbohydrate content, and eating it could push you over your carbohydrate limit for the day.

Low in Fats 

• Another reason that clam chowder is an unsuitable dish for those on the ketogenic diet is that it has a low fat content.
• While on the keto diet, you need to increase the amount of fat in your diet to help maintain the state of ketosis.
• Clam chowder is too high in carbs and too low in fats to maintain this state and, therefore, should be avoided.
• If you love seafood, you can still enjoy the clams or scallops on their own.

You should supplement your diet with healthy, unsaturated fats while on keto. Great sources of healthy fats include olives, avocado, and some nuts and seeds.