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How many carbs are in cheesecake factory low licious cheesecake?

4 min read

According to nutritional data, a single slice of The Cheesecake Factory's Low-Licious Cheesecake contains approximately 37 grams of total carbohydrates. While this is lower than their standard cheesecake options, it is important to understand the full nutritional context, especially when adhering to a low-carb diet.

Quick Summary

A single slice of The Cheesecake Factory's Low-Licious Cheesecake contains 37 grams of total carbohydrates and 30 grams of net carbs. This dessert is not considered suitable for a strict ketogenic diet due to its carb count and is designed as a lower-sugar alternative.

Key Points

  • Total Carbohydrates: A slice of Low-Licious Cheesecake has 37 grams of total carbohydrates.

  • Net Carbs: With dietary fiber and sugar alcohols accounted for, the net carb count is 30 grams.

  • Keto Unfriendly: The high net carb count makes this dessert unsuitable for a strict ketogenic diet.

  • Lower Sugar: It uses Splenda as a sweetener, resulting in a lower sugar content (5 grams) compared to standard cheesecakes.

  • Significant Fat and Calories: Despite being 'low-licious', it still contains a high amount of fat (44g) and calories (~570) per slice.

  • Alternatives Exist: Homemade keto-friendly recipes using almond flour and alternative sweeteners are a viable low-carb option.

In This Article

Cheesecake Factory Low-Licious Cheesecake Nutritional Profile

For those watching their carbohydrate intake, understanding the specific nutritional breakdown of menu items is crucial. The Low-Licious Cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory, while marketed as a lower-sugar option, is not a carbohydrate-free dessert. The total and net carb counts are key metrics to consider for dietary planning. It is made with Splenda as a sweetener, which is a sugar substitute, helping to reduce the overall sugar content.

Key Nutritional Data Per Slice

  • Total Carbohydrates: Approximately 37 grams.
  • Net Carbohydrates: Approximately 30 grams. This is calculated by subtracting dietary fiber (and in some cases, sugar alcohols) from the total carbohydrates.
  • Dietary Fiber: Approximately 7 grams.
  • Total Sugars: Approximately 5 grams.
  • Calories: Roughly 570 calories.
  • Total Fat: 44 grams, with 26 grams being saturated fat.

Net Carbs Explained

The concept of "net carbs" is important for many low-carb and ketogenic dieters. Net carbs represent the carbohydrates that your body can digest and convert into glucose. The equation is typically:

Net Carbs = Total Carbs - Fiber - Sugar Alcohols

The Low-Licious Cheesecake's relatively high fiber content and use of a sugar substitute contribute to the difference between its total carb count (37g) and its net carb count (30g). However, it's worth noting that the body's response to sugar alcohols can vary, and some people may experience a greater glycemic impact than others.

Low-Licious vs. Standard Cheesecake: A Nutritional Comparison

To put the Low-Licious Cheesecake's carb count into perspective, it helps to compare it with the standard, classic cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory. While specific numbers vary by flavor and toppings, the difference is substantial.

Nutritional Metric Low-Licious Cheesecake (per slice) Classic Original Cheesecake (per slice - estimated)
Total Carbohydrates 37g >80g (significantly higher)
Net Carbs 30g >80g (significantly higher)
Total Sugars 5g >60g (significantly higher)
Calories ~570 ~830 [Source needed for official figure, but widely known to be high]
Total Fat 44g >60g (significantly higher)

As the table clearly shows, the Low-Licious version is a step down in carbohydrate and sugar content, but it is not a "free pass" for very low-carb diets. The significant calorie and fat content also remain important factors for overall dietary goals. It is a good choice for those who are carb-conscious but not on a strict ketogenic diet.

Is the Low-Licious Cheesecake Keto-Friendly?

For a strict ketogenic diet, the goal is to keep daily net carbohydrate intake very low, often under 20-50 grams. At 30 grams of net carbs per slice, the Low-Licious Cheesecake would consume the vast majority of a day's carb allowance. Many sources, including Healthline, conclude that this dessert is not suitable for a strict keto diet due to its high net carb count. Additionally, the impact of the sugar alcohols on an individual's ketosis can be unpredictable. Therefore, for most keto dieters, it is best to avoid or at least exercise extreme caution with this dessert.

How to Enjoy Cheesecake on a Low-Carb Diet

If you are committed to a low-carb or keto lifestyle, there are several ways to satisfy your cheesecake cravings without derailing your progress.

Here are some popular alternatives:

  • Keto at-home recipes: Many recipes use almond flour or a mixture of almond and coconut flour for the crust, along with erythritol or monk fruit as sweeteners. These recipes are designed specifically for low-carb consumption and offer excellent control over ingredients.
  • No-bake keto cheesecakes: These simple recipes require minimal ingredients and time, often relying on cream cheese, a keto yogurt alternative, and a powdered sweetener.
  • Portion control: If you absolutely must have a slice of the Low-Licious cheesecake, consider splitting a piece with a friend or opting for just a bite or two. This can help manage the carbohydrate and calorie impact.
  • Focus on the filling: Eating just the filling and leaving the crust behind will save a considerable amount of carbs. While still not truly keto, it's a better option than consuming the entire slice.

For more great ideas and recipes, you can explore specialized food blogs that focus on low-carb eating. For example, the website Ruled.me offers a variety of recipes tailored for a ketogenic diet.

Conclusion

In summary, the Cheesecake Factory's Low-Licious Cheesecake contains 37 grams of total carbs and 30 grams of net carbs per slice. While it is a lower-sugar and lower-carb alternative to the restaurant's classic desserts, it is not considered suitable for a strict ketogenic diet. For those following a very low-carb lifestyle, a small taste or a homemade keto-friendly alternative would be a much safer choice to avoid impacting ketosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Net carbs are calculated by subtracting the grams of dietary fiber (and sugar alcohols) from the total carbohydrates. For the Low-Licious cheesecake, the high fiber content means the 37 grams of total carbs result in 30 grams of net carbs.

Some nutritional sources indicate it is also gluten-free, but those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should always confirm with the restaurant directly about cross-contamination risks.

With 30 grams of net carbs per slice, the dessert exceeds the daily carb limit for most people on a strict ketogenic diet. Additionally, the individual response to sugar alcohols can vary.

The Low-Licious cheesecake is sweetened with Splenda, which is why it has a significantly lower sugar content than the classic cheesecakes.

Splitting a slice in half would reduce the net carb intake to about 15 grams, which is a more manageable amount for many low-carb diets. This is a common strategy mentioned for enjoying the dessert while watching carbs.

The Low-Licious slice is significantly lower in calories, at around 570, compared to a standard slice, which can easily exceed 800 calories.

Yes, many keto-friendly cheesecake recipes can be made at home using almond flour for the crust and approved sweeteners like erythritol, which have much lower net carb counts.

While the Cheesecake Factory does not publish the nutritional information for their US menu items online, other nutritional databases and articles provide breakdowns based on publicly available data.

References

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Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.