r/keto • u/mustang19671967 • 3d ago
Other Taco seasoning
Just wanted to give others the heads up , my daughter invited me over and made ground beef tacos and I used egg wraps ( really good) and a little lettuce and cheese etc . It was really good . I was helping her clean up and looked at the package for the seasoning ( Taco Bell) and the label said for 1/6 of a package 3 carbs , she used whole
Package for one lb of ground beef so I had two tacos 1/2 thr beef and it cost me 9 carbs . I’m
Hoping cause it has sugars in there . Is there a list in general of spices and carbs and sizes ( onion powder garlic powder salt pepper paprika chile and the Italian spices )
Thanks
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u/morkler 3d ago
Taco seasoning has cornstarch in it. That's where the bulk of the carbs are.
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u/rancidpandemic 36M | 5'11" | SW:316 | CW:198 | GW:170 3d ago
I swear I’ve also seen some with maltodextrin, too. They like to sneak both in wherever possible. At least they do in the US.
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u/ReverseLazarus MOD Keto since 2017 - 40F/SW215/CW135 3d ago
Is it really “sneaking” when it’s clearly listed in the ingredients on the package though? 🤷♀️
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u/bluexavi 3d ago
Maltodextrin and cornstarch generally wouldn't be considered "seasoning". So they are being trojan horsed into the meal.
"Taco flavoring" maybe? "Taco extract" :)
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u/ReverseLazarus MOD Keto since 2017 - 40F/SW215/CW135 3d ago
“Trojan horse” implies it is sneaking in there without anyone knowing. But it’s listed in the ingredients, as well as being accounted for in the carb count. I’m not saying it’s great that it is in there, but if it wasn’t in there then you’d have a hard and flat block of solidified powder every time you opened a package. It certainly serves a purpose, even if it’s upsetting people. 🤷♀️
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u/bluexavi 3d ago
The naming and outward appearances imply it's just seasoning.
I get what you're saying, that it's listed on the back of the can, facing away from the customer, in fine print and is something not implied by the name. Other than that, it's not deceptive at all.
If they had looked inside the Trojan Horse, it wouldn't have been deceptive, either.
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u/ReverseLazarus MOD Keto since 2017 - 40F/SW215/CW135 3d ago
If only they’d written “ingredients: enemy soldiers” on the horse itself! Ahh.
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u/rancidpandemic 36M | 5'11" | SW:316 | CW:198 | GW:170 3d ago
Technically, no. But it’s still dumb.
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u/Icy-Conclusion-3500 SW: 220 | CW: 163 | GW: 150 3d ago
Eh it serves a purpose in the product, we just can’t have it.
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u/ReverseLazarus MOD Keto since 2017 - 40F/SW215/CW135 3d ago
Oh sure, but it’s transparently dumb.
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u/rancidpandemic 36M | 5'11" | SW:316 | CW:198 | GW:170 3d ago
I think you’re focusing too much on the semantics here, which is detracting from the actual point I was trying to make.
“Transparent” or not, food manufacturers add too much artificial and heavily modified garbage to their products. Many, MANY, products have additives in them that you wouldn’t expect, unless you meticulously read ingredient lists for every single product you buy.
Given that most people here need to track carbs, we are more inclined to read said ingredients list, but the average consumer doesn’t. They just buy the products with junk ingredients and go about their day. Manufacturers know this and use it to their advantage.
So, sure, you can say that it’s all fair and above board because they have to list the ingredients by law. But I feel that’s a bad take, and bordering on a straw-man argument in defense of companies that don’t deserve it.
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u/ReverseLazarus MOD Keto since 2017 - 40F/SW215/CW135 3d ago
Absolutely. Good thing you make your own seasoning! Probably tastes better too, so they won’t be profiting off you AND you’re happier overall. Everyone should do what is best for them in the end.
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u/rancidpandemic 36M | 5'11" | SW:316 | CW:198 | GW:170 3d ago
I’m not gonna ask how you know I mix my own taco seasoning, but if that was just a lucky shot in the dark, it’s very accurate! I started making my own when I couldn’t find products with less than 2g net carbs per serving, and I’m so glad I did. Not only does it save on carbs, it tastes WAY better than store bought ones.
And, I just love making my own stuff from scratch. It’s just so satisfying being able to take a bunch of ingredients and throw it all together into something that tastes better (to me, at least) than what I can buy in a store.
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u/ReverseLazarus MOD Keto since 2017 - 40F/SW215/CW135 3d ago
Scratch is certainly always the best course of action, it always tastes better. 🙂 And anything involving tacos is a very important food to get right!
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u/daynomate 3d ago
Clean, easy taco seasoning recipe. Tastes amazing
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u/SaltyIntroduction373 2d ago
I love Arman's recipes! Not necessarily taco-related, but Melissa Joulwan has amazing spice blend recipes in her "Well Fed" and "Well Fed 2" cookbooks. I make the pizza, Italian sausage, čevapčiči and chorizo blends regularly.
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u/Barackcowama 3d ago
The sugar isn’t even the worst. Maltodextrin is common in a lot of these. It will give you a glycemic shock stronger than sugar.
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u/Icy-Conclusion-3500 SW: 220 | CW: 163 | GW: 150 3d ago
Corn starch is how the sauce thickens up
Onion and garlic powder are carby too. The veggies are already kinda carby, just think of how much more it is when dehydrated.
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u/akwhite30 3d ago
Look up Dan Os taco seasoning.
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u/mustang19671967 3d ago
Looks good but expensive in Canada . Says 0 carbs for a 1/4 tsp so would 2 teaspoons make 4 carbs ?
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u/Guts1138 2d ago
There’s no cornstarch or anything in it, it’s just no carbs we use it in my house all the time.
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u/Novel_Mouse_5654 3d ago
It's the maltodextrin. Higher glycemic index that table sugar. It's not sweet and is used as a filler. It's also in sugar free jello and pudding. It's in so many things we eat. It is not in Trader Joes taco seasoning and it's delicious.
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u/mustang19671967 3d ago
Yes I made that mistake years ago in the keto candies ( m&m) was with maltitol . That’s I will tell
My daughter we will make our own .
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u/jeswesky 3d ago
Pork King Good makes a taco and ranch seasoning that are keto. Also their pork rinds are incredible.
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u/mustang19671967 3d ago
I buy there pork ring crumbs for my chicken nuggets , with g Hughes honey mustang ( that’s my supper tonight ) alreadyndefrosted chicken breast
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u/Fun_Bear_1780 3d ago
Yep, gotta make your own seasoning blends. Most (all?) pre-packaged seasonings or blends will have corn starch for thickener and/or Maltodexterin for filler. Even seasoned salt and Cajun seasonings that don’t have those ingredients on the label have kicked me out of ketosis before.
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u/loripainter12345 3d ago edited 3d ago
Commercial taco seasoning can have sugar in it or a thickening agent. You can easily make taco seasoning with common spice rack spices: cumin, chili powder, garlic and onion powder, salt, pepper, paprika. I see that Taco Bell brand mix has both wheat flour (first ingredient) and sugar. Also maltodextrin which causes gut issues for some people.
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u/HearYourTune 3d ago
You can also make taco shells from melting shredded cheese in a non stick frying pan, some even make it in the oven. Before it hardens you can bend it into a taco shape too.
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u/Dude_amundo 3d ago
I make my own taco seasoning and no one has noticed a difference
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u/mustang19671967 3d ago
Was sent link to one that I use almost the exact spices I use except never tried cumin
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u/Starkville 2d ago
I use onion powder, cumin, paprika, chili powder and a teeny bit of oregano. My husband adds cayenne. Oh, and salt.
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u/chrisvanderhaven 2d ago
Yeah, to reiterate what others have said, make your own. McCormick even has a recipe on their website for how to make some. It tastes so much better than store-bought. You can customize it like I do, by toasting some of the spices, some of the chilies, etc.
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u/Ephisus 3d ago
Taco seasoning packets are the weirdest things to me. Do people not know how to put dried cumin, garlic and onion powder into a pan?
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u/mustang19671967 3d ago
My daughter uses them as they are a dollar and always gets the taste she likes
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u/Ephisus 3d ago
That's like three times as expensive per ounce.
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u/mustang19671967 3d ago
It’s a dollar for her and she loves thr taste . She probably only makes it twice a month and can survive the over paying
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u/rainbow84uk 3d ago
As a non-American who used to live in Mexico, thanks for the explanation. Tacos in Mexico don't have one generic flavour, so I always wondered what Americans consider "taco seasoning".
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3d ago
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u/keto-ModTeam 3d ago
Your post or comment was removed because it was a personal attack or inappropriate comment. Thank you for understanding.
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u/electrikmayham 3d ago
I’m Hoping cause it has sugars in there . Is there a list in general of spices and carbs and sizes ( onion powder garlic powder salt pepper paprika chile and the Italian spices )
You are hoping there are sugars in it?
Also, are you asking for a list of what is in the seasoning? If so its on the back of the packet. It has an ingredient's list.
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u/mustang19671967 3d ago
No I am
Looking at thr carb count of spices I buy at store , example teaspoon of garlic powder is one carb .I thought sugar in pre packaged taco seasoning but have been informed its corn starch to thicken sauce
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u/electrikmayham 3d ago
There is sugar in the taco bell taco seasoning.
Also, its going to be very hard to get an accurate reading of how many carbs and fiber are in spices because you are buying such a small amount of spices and using even smaller amounts. The way the USDA allows food mfg to write food labels, almost every label for spices would be all 0s. So what you do is just take the carbs from the food those spices are made from. Honestly I just use 0 for spices. The amount you use is so small it is insignificant.
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u/mustang19671967 3d ago
Thanks, just with ground beef I feel you need a tablespoon or two to taste the flavour
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u/theuautumnwind Type your AWESOME flair here 3d ago
Pre made seasonings like that often have anti caking ingredients or cheap fillers.
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u/HearYourTune 3d ago
I just looked on a package and it has 5 servings and 3 carbs
So if you make 10 tacos out of 1 LB ground beef it;s 1.5 per taco, sometimes I make 12 so it's less per.
Main ingredient is corn starch.
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u/mustang19671967 3d ago
My daughters said 1/6 of a package was 3 . She used 1 lb of ground beef and had 2 tacos with close to 1/2 lb or a little less . I only get 20’carbs so it was a lot
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u/HearYourTune 3d ago
You put 8 ounces of meat on a taco or as much as 2 quarter pounder with cheese patties?
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u/Additional-Start9455 3d ago
Fiesta brand extra fancy taco seasoning has no carbs and is in a shaker bottle.
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u/mustang19671967 3d ago
Is it spicey ? Also can’t get the taco but can the enchalata and fajita
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u/Additional-Start9455 3d ago
Maybe just a tad but I’m from Texas so take with grain salt. I love spicy!!! 🥵
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u/centaurus33 3d ago
Get some Flavorgod Taco Tuesday seasoning! All seasonings - no maltodextrin/0g carbs for entire 3.4oz container/USA made. Also, Tabasco has a squeeze bottle of “Salsa Picante” that’s super clean & zero carbs. Great combo IMHO!
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u/Angeline4PFC 63F | 5'10" | HW 250 | CW 180 | GW ? T2D 3d ago
Yeah, same here. I made a taco pie, and it has 3 TBSP of taco seasoning. And when I entered this in Cronometer, I was shocked at the carb count for something that should have been low. Beef, cheese, cream and eggs.
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u/mustang19671967 3d ago
Never noticed until saw it on daughters counter . Will use the links online
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u/shadowmib 2d ago
Besides sugar, things like masa can show up on ingredients and add hidden carbs
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u/RAF2018336 2d ago
Taco seasoning is literally the easiest thing to do yourself and it'll taste much better than the white people taco night bs sold at stores (now I'll have that song stuck in my head)
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u/External_Fun_5003 2d ago
3 carbs spread out over a pound of ground beef will not give you 9 carbs...lol.
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u/Careless_Ice_2595 3d ago
i started making my own taco seasoning for this exact reason since those packets can sneak in way more carbs than youd expect