Is Propel Keto Friendly?

The ketogenic diet, or keto diet, has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its potential health benefits, including weight loss and improved blood sugar control. This diet focuses on consuming high amounts of healthy fats, moderate protein, and very low carbohydrates to put the body in a metabolic state called ketosis. Many people wonder if certain drinks like Propel are keto-friendly. In this article, we will examine whether Propel is keto-friendly by looking at its nutritional information, ingredients, and expert opinions.

What is Propel?

Propel is a line of flavored water products manufactured by Gatorade, which is owned by PepsiCo. Propel’s product line includes a variety of flavored water products, including electrolyte water, flavored water, and powdered packets to add to water.

Propel was first introduced in 2000, and its products have gained popularity due to their low-calorie content and added vitamins.

Keto Diet and its Key Principles

The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that forces the body to burn fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. It involves consuming foods high in healthy fats, such as avocados, nuts, and fatty fish, while limiting carbohydrate intake.

The goal of the keto diet is to achieve a state of ketosis, where the body burns fat for energy instead of glucose. This is achieved by limiting carbohydrates to less than 50 grams per day, or less than 20 grams per day for more advanced practitioners.

Is Propel Keto-Friendly?

To determine if Propel is keto-friendly, we need to analyze its nutritional information and ingredients. According to Propel’s website, their flavored water products contain zero calories, zero sugar, and zero carbohydrates, making them appear to be ideal for the keto diet. However, upon closer inspection, we can see that some Propel products contain ingredients that may not be keto-friendly.

For example, Propel’s electrolyte water contains ingredients such as citric acid and natural flavors, which can be derived from carbohydrates. In addition, Propel’s flavored water products contain sucralose, an artificial sweetener that some people on the keto diet prefer to avoid. While sucralose is considered safe by the FDA, some studies suggest that it may affect insulin and blood sugar levels, potentially hindering ketosis.

Comparing Propel Products to Keto Diet Guidelines

To determine if Propel products are keto-friendly, we can compare their nutritional information to the guidelines of the keto diet. The keto diet typically involves consuming 70-80% of calories from fat, 15-20% from protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. For more advanced practitioners, the carbohydrate intake may be reduced to less than 20 grams per day.

Propel’s electrolyte water contains zero calories, zero sugar, and zero carbohydrates, making it a suitable option for the keto diet. However, its flavored water products contain less than 1 gram of carbohydrates per serving, which may not be suitable for more advanced practitioners of the keto diet.

Expert Opinions on Propel’s Keto-Friendliness

Many experts believe that Propel can be incorporated into the keto diet in moderation. According to Dr. Eric Berg, a popular health and wellness expert, Propel’s electrolyte water is a suitable option for the keto diet, as it contains essential electrolytes and no sugar or carbohydrates. However, Dr. Berg advises limiting consumption of Propel’s flavored water products, as they contain artificial sweeteners that may affect insulin and blood sugar levels.

Net Carb Calculator for Propel 

To calculate the net carbs in Propel, you will need to have the nutritional information for the specific product you are interested in. Follow the steps below to calculate the net carbs in Propel:

1. Look at the serving size on the label. This is usually listed in fluid ounces or grams.
2. Look at the total carbohydrates listed in the nutritional information. This includes both sugar and fiber.
3. Look at the dietary fiber listed in the nutritional information.
4. Subtract the dietary fiber from the total carbohydrates to get the net carbs. This gives you the amount of carbohydrates that will affect your blood sugar levels.

For example, let’s say you have a 20-ounce bottle of Propel electrolyte water. The label lists the following nutritional information:

• Serving size: 20 fluid ounces
• Total carbohydrates: 0g
• Dietary fiber: 0g

To calculate the net carbs, you would follow these steps:

1. Serving size is 20 fluid ounces.
2. Total carbohydrates are 0g.
3. Dietary fiber is 0g.

Net carbs are 0g (Total carbohydrates minus dietary fiber).

Therefore, this particular product of Propel has zero net carbs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether Propel is keto-friendly or not depends on the specific product and the individual’s goals and needs on the keto diet. Propel’s electrolyte water is generally considered to be a good option for hydration and essential electrolytes, with zero calories, sugar, and carbohydrates.

However, Propel’s flavored water products may contain artificial sweeteners and small amounts of carbohydrates, which may affect insulin and blood sugar levels. It is important to read the nutritional label carefully and consult with a healthcare professional to determine if Propel is suitable for your specific dietary needs. Remember, the keto diet is a highly individualized approach to nutrition, and what works for one person may not work for another.