Is SPAM Keto Friendly?

Spam can have a bad rep, but should it? I grew up with friends that had this tiny little canned meat in their cupboards ever since I can remember.

I recently rediscovered this nostalgic food at the grocery store and that got me wondering…

Is Spam keto friendly?

I did some research which I have provided below. I also have given you a quick answer to this question if you are in a hurry. Spam is keto friendly. But not all varieties are. Check out my list below for a breakdown of all 21 Spam types and flavors.

Spam Classic Ingredients

Pork with Ham

What meat is found in Spam?

Simply stated by the SPAM website: Two cuts of the pig. One perfectly tender and juicy flavor.

Pork means that they chose the meat from one of the five major sections: pork shoulder, picnic shoulder, loin, side and leg. [meatscience.com]

Ham is specifically from the upper portions of the pig’s leg.

Salt

Salt is very important on the keto diet. It can help deliver electrolytes to a keto dieter may lack; helping with hydration.

Water

Water is found in just about anything, and it is aso found in Spam.

Modified Potato Starch

This ingredient is typically used as a filler or thickening agent. You will find a starch in just about every processed food in the market.

What is modified potato starch?

Modified potato starch is not much different than your typical starch other than it being made from potato.

Sugar

Sugar should be avoided at all  costs on the keto diet, but in this case, it is a very tiny amount. You will be fine as long as you don’t eat a whole can of Spam in one day.

Sodium Nitrite

The preservative sodium nitrite fights harmful bacteria in ham, salami and other processed and cured meats. – LiveScience.com

How many different Spam are there & are they keto?

There are currently 21 official Spam varieties according to their website.

Are all types of Spam keto friendly?

For the most part, all Spam varieties are keto friendly but there are some that you want to stay away from.

What types of Spam are keto friendly?

• Spam Classic
• Spam Lite
• Spam Less Sodium
• Spam Bacon
• Spam Oven Roasted Turkey
• Spam Hickory Smoke
• Spam Hot & Spicy
• Spam Jalapeno
• Spam Black Pepper
• Spam Chorizo
• Spam with Portuguese Sausage Seasoning
• Spam Garlic
• Spam with Cheese
• Spam Mezclita
• Spam Single Classic
• Spam Single Lite
• Spam Classic 7 Oz
• Spam Spread

What types of Spam are NOT keto friendly?

• Spam Teriyaki
• Pumpkin Spice Spam
• Spam Tocino

Is Spam unhealthy for you?

If eaten in large amounts over a large period of time, spam can be very unhealthy because of the number of saturated fats found in this tasty food.

What are saturated fats?

Saturated fat is a type of dietary fat. Too much saturated fat in your diet can lead to heart disease and other health problems. – medlineplus.gov

What foods contain saturated fats?

You can find most of your saturated fats in foods like butter, palm and coconut oils, cheese, and red meat.

Where can you buy Spam?

You can find Spam in just about every supermarket, market, or a store that has even the smallest food options.

Believe it or not, you can also buy Spam on Amazon. I normally will buy Spam in a pack of 6 and keep it in my cupboard for when I need it with my breakfast.

What can you use Spam with?

You can use Spam in hundreds of different recipes. Here are some of the most common keto friendly recipes with Spam.

• Spam Musubi with Cauliflower Sticky Rice
• ONE ingredient SPAM® Fries
• SPAM® & Scrambled Eggs

So… Quick Recap: Is Spam Keto Friendly?

I would say… it deserves a passing grade. Remember to only eat it one serving at a time though, and choose a type that is keto friendly.

What are some alternatives to Spam?

Here are some of the alternatives to Spam currently out there. They may not all be keto friendly so beware.

• Vienna Sausage

Let us know if you have any questions or if you want to connect and talk more about the keto diet or keto lifestyle!