Hi Grayson,
Have you noticed that a lot of keto friendly products list some form of fiber in their ingredients list? Perhaps you've seen ingredients like "Vegetable Fiber, Soluble Corn Fiber, Soluble Tapioca Fiber, Prebiotic Fiber, and fiber syrup, and wondered what the differences are, and if they all behave truly keto in the body.
To ensure you're eating foods that help you to attain your goals, it''s crucial to understand that not only are there several different forms of fiber used in keto products, but that they can behave very differently within the body.
You may be thinking you''re consuming carbohydrate free prebiotic fiber in your favorite keto treat, but if you're having trouble staying in Ketosis while eating keto friendly foods, you may be unknowingly consuming manufactured isomolto-oligosaccharides (IMOs).
Though they have the same starting starch, soluble tapioca fiber and IMOs have vastly different molecular structures and physiological functions. Soluble tapioca fiber is a true fiber, whereas IMOs offer very little pre-biotic benefits and behave more like carbohydrates in the body than they do fiber, thus offering the potential to spike blood sugar and kick consumers out of ketosis.
Until recently, the FDA classified IMOs as 'prebiotic fibers', so it has been impossible to determine which kind of fiber you were consuming when reading a product label. The good news is that the FDA has given all brands until January 2021 to list IMOs on their packages, though until then, the only way to ensure that you aren't consuming IMOs, and thus potentially sabotaging your carbohydrate intake by nibbling on your favorite snacks, is to call the company directly and ask what they mean when they mention "fiber."
At The Cookie Department, we never use IMOs, but rather true prebiotic soluble fiber derived from tapioca plants. You can indulge in our sweet treats with confidence, knowing that our fiber source wont elevate your glucose levels, or kick you out of ketosis!