Any chocolate that contains a low amount of carbohydrates could be suitable for a ketogenic diet as long as you limit your portion size. The challenge is, many of us don’t want to just consume a minor amount, and one of the perks of a keto diet is the fact that we can eat a majority of the oily foods that wouldn’t usually be allowed, like bacon and chocolate.
Sadly, not all chocolate is suitable for a keto diet, nevertheless, there is an abundance of keto-friendly chocolate companies, although not all of them make great products.
What Makes Chocolates Keto or Not
Most brands of keto chocolate have fewer than 1g of net carbs per portion, no matter how large or small the portion size is.
This means that a chocolate bar is made with sugar alcohols that contain no calories, such as powdered erythritol, and still made with a large amount of cacao.
A ketogenic diet is essentially low in carbohydrates, so the majority of people who follow it consume less than 50 grams of net carbs each day, while stricter followers eat fewer than 20 grams per day. But beyond the keto aspect, what is chocolate?
Chocolate is created using the fermented and roasted beans of the cacao tree that grows in the tropics. It is usually sweetened with sugar, as well as made creamier and smoother with milk and additional ingredients.
These chocolates are extraordinary and distinctive, and the addition of a sweetener truly makes their tastes stand out.
Unfortunately, many people find themselves not enjoying products that are advertised as “keto chocolates,” due to the fact that they are made with subpar cacao that is low in quality and produces a flavor that is dull and sometimes bitter.
Chocolate should include floral, fruity, earthy (mushroom) and sour (lemon) flavors. When you purchase mass-produced chocolate, even keto-friendly chocolate bars, you won’t be able to experience the depth of flavor.
Keto Sweeteners
If you’re seeking something to satisfy your craving, you may want to try the most chocolatey low-carbohydrate chocolate bars available.
Let’s take a peek at the various keto-friendly choices for chocolate that must all be in solid form, such as erythritol, xylitol, allulose, inulin, stevia, and monk fruit. The first two sugars are larger, while the other two are very sweet and are taken from a leaf and a fruit, respectively.
The two in the middle are the most intriguing, as they are derived from plants and have a sweet flavor without affecting blood sugar levels. The amount of calories in both sweeteners is approximately one-third of what is in sugar.
Erythritol, xylitol, and inulin are not as sweet as sugar, but if taken in large amounts, can lead to intestinal discomfort.
Both stevia and monk fruit are much more intensely sweet than table sugar, but they must be used in tiny amounts, or else they will start to taste artificial and chemical.
Most ketogenic chocolate makers combine sugar alcohols with either stevia or monk fruit, although some prefer to use only sugar alcohols. To make keto chocolate, producers usually go about it in the same way as usual, only substituting the traditional sugar with a keto sweetener.
The problem is mostly encountered when a manufacturer utilizes a sweetener that is not a direct equivalent of regular sugar, for instance, pure monk fruit extract.
Supply and demand play a role here, as chocolates of this type often possess an unpleasantly strong flavor and an artificial aftertaste, which drives customers away before the company can make money.
Best Keto Chocolate Brands
Not too long ago, any and all sugar-free food items were made with maltitol, which is not very sweet in comparison to sugar and has a strange taste. Eating a large amount of it in one go can cause stomach issues.
There was no winning back then. You wouldn’t think that a 15% reduction in sugar would make much of an impact on chocolate, but it can be quite a remarkable difference. You can enjoy a whole 1oz. (approx. 28g) of chocolate and only take in 4 net carbs per serving.
So is dark chocolate keto? The response isn’t always yes, but there is an abundance of dark chocolates with less sugar, and even some keto chocolates with no carbs.
Examining both digital and physical stores, there are approximately fifteen keto chocolate companies, yet six of them are particularly noteworthy: Lily’s (currently owned by Hershey’s), ChocZero, Keto Krack’d, CHOCXO, and ChocoPerfection.
These items all have broad availability and people tend to like the taste. The main point to consider when consuming keto chocolate is the net carbs, but many companies neglect the flavor.
In those situations, the protection of manatees and macros is of higher priority than making sure the cacao is ethically sourced and the final flavor of the product. If you’re in a pinch and you only have one of these items on you, this is the lowdown on the top keto chocolates.
1. CHOCXO
A couple formerly behind a chocolate shop in California decided to move to Vancouver, Canada a few years ago in order to enlarge their CHOCXO brand. At first, it was a typical bean-to-bar chocolate business.
In the end, they chose to specialize in keto-friendly dishes that contain authentic sugar and excellent cocoa, but with a bit less of the sugar. This confectionery line is made with cane sugar and consists of chocolate cubes, almond butter-filled cups, and nuts coated in chocolate.
2. Lily’s Sweets
Unfortunately, as of mid-2021, Lily’s is owned by Hershey’s.
Lily’s chocolate range was initially unveiled after Cynthia, the co-founder, felt she had finally created the ideal maltitol-free and sugarless chocolate. She created the homemade confection as a result of her own personal battle with her weight over the years.
Throughout the time, it has become a much sought-after keto chocolate selection due to its low-carb components. This selection is enhanced with a combination of erythritol, inulin, and stevia, and features chocolate bars, baking chips, and goodies such as chocolate peanut butter cups.
3. Keto Krack’d
A number of brands of sugar-free chocolate have seen success during the pandemic. This chocolate, which has been sweetened with allulose and monk fruit, has no strange flavor or uncomfortable feeling on the tongue, unlike many keto chocolate products.
This product contains a combination of allulose and monk fruit, and has no dairy, gluten, or sugar. At the moment, the selection consists of many different kinds of chocolate peanut butter toffees, coconut milk caramels, and seasonal truffles (which are made with erythritol instead of regular white chocolate).
4. ChocZero
ChocZero, a relatively recent business, was established six years back in reaction to the trendiness of the keto diet.
They have a great selection of items and have grown rapidly, likely due to their heavy involvement with influencers.
The Keto Chocolate Bark selection offers more than a dozen various tastes, giving you the choice between milk or dark chocolate.
And you heard correctly – it is made with milk chocolate! The key to creating fabulous keto milk chocolate is adding a hefty amount of cocoa butter and cream solids, which is what Choc Zero accomplished with this recipe.
A single bag holds six separate packages of bars, all of which are produced from ethically obtained cocoa. Choc Zero is willing to reimburse you if you are not content with your purchase.
Their milk chocolate in particular is a fan favorite. This line of products has been enhanced with a mix of corn fiber and monk fruit sugar, featuring peanut butter cups, chocolate bark & bars, baking chips, and various syrups & spreads.
5. ChocoPerfection
ChocoPerfection is the most established brand on this listing and the packaging has a classic look to it. However, these bars differ from the other brands in that their sweetness comes from fiber rather than a sugar alcohol.
Consequently, this foodstuff has considerable quantities of fiber as well as fat. A mixture of erythritol and chicory root fiber/FOS make the line taste sweet, and it features chocolate bars of different flavors.
It is quite evident that various keto chocolate brands are becoming increasingly accessible on the internet. Nevertheless, chocolate is a difficult substance and mistakes are much more likely to be made than successes.
Think about purchasing from a few small businesses that make scrumptious, unique keto craft chocolates, such as Raphio, Amedei, Zotter, and The Good Chocolate.
The last of the keto chocolate brands is a small business focused on making high-quality sugar-free chocolates. A few of the small businesses produce keto-friendly chocolate chips, which are not common nowadays.
Lindt, Ghirardelli, Hu’s and Green & Black’s all offer high cocoa content dark chocolates that could be used in ketogenic diets, however their production processes are not totally clear, so I would not recommend them.
6. Kiss My Keto Dark Chocolate
This chocolate has a very low carb count of only 1 gram of net carbs per 1oz serving, making it one of the most carb-friendly chocolate brands available!
This keto chocolate is not only low in carbohydrates, but it also has four different flavors, is made from straightforward ingredients, and is sweetened with stevia and erythritol which are natural sweeteners.
Kiss My Keto’s Dark Chocolate is delicious as it is; nonetheless, it can be incorporated into recipes that ask for chocolate. The Original flavor is likely the best choice for this recipe, but the flavored options could be equally as effective.
7. Lily’s Creamy Milk
Sure, dark chocolate is great. We all have a desire for the luxury of milk chocolate occasionally. Lily’s has enabled keto adherents to indulge in their own assortment of rich milk chocolate.
This one is prepared with a generous amount of cocoa butter combined with stevia and erythritol. The product is also gluten-free, fair-trade, and non-GMO. Nevertheless, it does not contain either soy or dairy, if you were wondering.
In conclusion, this is an excellent choice of keto chocolate if you desire a chocolaty treat that will literally melt in your mouth, making it difficult to not have a second piece. It is astonishing that this milky product contains 40% cocoa.
8. Hershey’s Special Dark Zero Sugar Chocolate Candy Bars
Hershey’s offers some chocolates that have no sugar and minimal carbohydrates. If you were curious about where to get keto chocolate, it is available in the company’s shops, Target, and on Amazon.
Its main sweetening component is maltitol, a type of sugar alcohol that can cause digestive issues if consumed past the suggested amount.
It’s a positive aspect that four pieces of this chocolate only contain 2g of net carbs. The single-serve chocolates make it uncomplicated to monitor the amount you eat. You can take them with you wherever you go, any time.
9. Lakanto Sugar-Free Chocolate
Lakanto is popular for their monk fruit sweeteners, which they have incorporated into this no-sugar chocolate. It is important to remember that many monk fruit sweeteners, including Lacanto’s, have erythritol as an ingredient.
That aside, this chocolate bar is perfect. It is crafted with top-notch ingredients, including Arriba Nacional heirloom cocoa beans. Expect this chocolate to have a distinct flavor, with a hint of fruity taste, unlike other chocolates you have had.
This dark chocolate bar is not only suitable for those following a ketogenic diet, but it is also vegan. This dark chocolate is composed of 55% cacao and comes in different varieties such as plain, with almonds, and with cacao nibs. Overall, if you’re looking for a high-quality keto chocolate with superb flavor, this is your best bet.
10. Alter Eco Total Blackout
A brand which is dedicated to protecting the environment, Alter Eco gets all of its items from farmers who practice sustainable farming. If you are looking to purchase chocolate that is both keto-friendly and environmentally friendly, this is the right choice for you.
This bar of chocolate is as unadulterated as it can be, according to the information provided on their website. This recipe contains just two components: organic cocoa beans and cocoa butter.
This means it is not only suitable for a ketogenic diet, but it is also suitable for vegans, those following the paleo diet, and those who are gluten-free. This product has been crafted with skillful Swiss guidance, making sure it has a delightful and luxurious flavor, just like chocolate should be.
11. The Good Chocolate
Do you fancy chocolate with interesting tastes and additional advantages? This bar of chocolate from The Good Chocolate is composed of 65% dark chocolate, toasted coconut, and turmeric, all of which are superfoods. This combination of ingredients provides a delicious hint of flavor as well as antioxidants.
This treat is made with erythritol and stevia for sweetness, plus mesquite powder for a low glycemic index. This chocolate is not only suitable for a ketogenic diet, but it also adheres to vegan, paleo, and FODMAP-friendly diets.
Remember that this item is only available for a short time, so if you’re interested in trying it, buy it now. This brand also manufactures Mint Bar, Ginger Bar, and Salted Alm.
Side notes
Dark chocolate has fewer carbs than milk chocolate, making it a popular option for those who follow the keto diet.
The reason behind dark chocolate usually containing a greater proportion of cocoa solids compared to milk chocolate is because it still has sugar in it, albeit with a reduced quantity. Not all dark chocolate is necessarily high in sugar either.
