What is a Keto Diet? Are All Keto Foods Gluten Free?

Much like the gluten free diet was created to treat those with Celiac Disease, the Keto diet was originally created to treat those with epilepsy who were not responding to medication. “Because the ketogenic diet is very low in carbohydrates, fats become the primary fuel instead [of carbohydrates].” Since its inception, the keto diet has been tried by others without epilepsy, who find that it brings them health benefits.

While the keto diet is incredibly low in carbs, not all packaged keto foods are gluten free. For example, King Arthur produces a Keto Wheat Flour that is defintiely not gluten free. See this article from the Gluten Intolerance Group about eating gluten free and following a keto diet.

A Dietitian Starts a Keto Business

I am by far not an expert on all things Keto. Therefore I turned to Lisa of Keto Katz to share about their gluten free, keto baking business. Read my interview with her to learn more about what they make. If you’d like to contact them, you’ll find that at the END of the post.

1. What inspired you to become a baker? Why the focus on gluten-free? 

Anna (owner/partner) is a keto cook. Lisa (owner/partner) is an integrative registered dietitian. We’ve been best friends for 30+ years and have been cooking for each other’s families for years. Since we’ve been on diets together, we’ve always shared recipes with each other.

During COVID, we started selling our products out of our houses. It was so successful that we opened a commercial kitchen to grow the business and feed more people. If someone is preparing ketogenic products correctly, they will be gluten free automatically. 

We have two locations (brick and mortar), Clinton Twp and Rochester Hills. Over 40 products are available daily in both stores consisting of sweet and savory keto, sugar free, gluten free, grain free items. We also offer national shipping and delivery. We currently sell our pizza at Woodward Corners Meijer Market. 

2. Are there other highlights of your products?  Dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free etc? 

Everything we make is grain free, sugar free, and gluten free. In addition, we do not use any soy ingredients in our kitchen. We do use dairy and eggs in our baked goods. Tree nuts and peanuts are also used in our kitchen. Some of our products contain gelatin derived from pork.

Additional Questions as a Keto Business

A) Which grain free flours do you use? 

We use a blend of almond flour and coconut flour in our baked goods.

B) What sweeteners do you use? 

Erythritol, allulose, and stevia. We specifically use Swerve in some of our baked goods.

C) Which fats do you use in your baking? 

Coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil, and butter

D) Do you calculate macronutrients (fat, protein, carbs) for your baked goods, or simply focus on grain free baking? 

All products have nutrition labels and net carb counts. They are available on the packaging and also under all products on the website.

E) If you do calculate macros, are there carb counts on your products? 

Yes, it’s an FDA standardized nutrition label, and it has all required nutrients by law. We add the net carbs because ultimately that’s what our customers want to know.

3. What steps do you take to ensure that your products are truly gluten-free?

Our dietitian is responsible for checking all ingredient lists of the components used for baking and making sure they support our claims. We are grain free so, we don’t use oats, nor do we use wheat starch.

4  Can you share a story of a customer who’s been greatly impacted by your business? 

Written to us by a Customer “Hi Anna and Lisa,Just wanted to write you ladies a quick note to let you know how much I appreciate your help during my journey to get healthy. 1 ½ years ago my doctor told me, “change your life or go on insulin”. I joined a couple of Reverse Diabetes groups on Facebook and googled “keto bakery near me”.

The next day I came to your store for the first time, I was so impressed and excited by all the food options available to me. Your products helped me reverse my diabetes and lose 50 Ibs. I don’t think I could have done it so quickly without your help of being able to just go to my fridge, pick something out to eat, and not have to second guess any food choices really made my journey easy.

I will continue this way of eating to keep me healthy so I will still be visiting. Can’t wait to see the new store and all the new foods and snacks you ladies come up with. Please continue to do what you do. I am living proof that it works. There are still a lot of people out there who need your help.” With love, Paula

5. What would you like consumers to know about your products and your business?

Keto Katz produces 100% sugar free, gluten free, and low carb food! We make sweet and savory delectables that taste like the carby comfort foods of your past, However ours contain lower carb counts, all while still being absolutely delicious. We offer in store shopping, pre-orders, shipping and delivery. Go to our website to see our menu, read our blog, and sign up for our newsletters written by our dietitian!

Keto Katz Location, Hours & Contact Information

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Email

Keto Katz is one of many gluten free bakers across the state of Michigan.  Click this link to see a comprehensive list of all the gluten-free bakeries in Michigan, complete with interactive map! Looking for more local eats? Check out my list of gluten free baked good options at Michigan Farmers Markets. 

** All photos used courtesy of Keto Katz.

The post Keto Katz: Grain Free in Metro Detroit appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

**This is an interview with the owner. Please scroll to bottom of page for bakery address, phone number, website, email, and social media links.**

When Krista Koets opened her bakery in 2020, she offered something many found difficult to find; items that were gluten free AND low sugar. Because let’s face it, many gluten free products are made from refined flours, and have higher carb counts.

Now located in a new storefront in Holland, Michigan, Krista is expanding her menu to offer a few items with cane sugar. Peronally, as someone who has an intolerance to artificial sugars, I appreciate her willingness to expand her menu to help even more people. Learn more about Bliss Bakery in Krista Koets own words, in our interview.

What inspired you to become a baker? Why the focus on gluten-free?

I started my restaurant career at 15 as a hostess at Big Boy in my hometown of Grosse Pointe. From there, I worked as a cook and eventually sous chef and pastry chef at various restaurants in the greater Detroit area. Eventually I got a job at Avalon Breads in Detroit as a midnight baker. I knew then that someday I would open my own bakery.

Recently my father was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. As I learned more about this condition, I realized how empty the market is for fresh and SAFE products. I had recently changed my diet to eliminate gluten, grains and sugar, and Bliss was born out of those changes.

Are there other highlights of your products?  Dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free etc?

Yes! We have a lot of dairy free options, a few egg free, a few vegan (including our incredible sourdough bread) and a handful of nut free choices. We also serve Brunch all day from 8a-3p. Most of our menu items can be made dairy free, and a few vegan.

What steps do you take to guarantee that your products are truly gluten-free?

Obviously, we choose ingredients labeled gluten free. If necessary, we contact manufacturers to ensure the item is not made on shared equipment, or proper procedures are taken to clean the equipment first. In 4 years of business, we’ve never had a customer complain of issues due to cross contact. We even restrict our employees from bringing any gluten into the facility!

Tell Me More About Your Full Sugar Options

When you started your business in 2020, you focused on grain free and sugar free baking. However, you’ve recently added baked goods with cane sugar and grains to your menu. Can you share more about these new Bliss Bakery items?

Yes, we are just starting to explore a menu of cane sugar sweetened items. Right now we have several breads and a couple pastries with more to come. We anticipate offering a dozen or so items that will be free of low carb sugars. However, we will always retain our diabetic-friendly low carb and sugar free menu!

What low carb flours do you use?

Our low carb baked goods use a blend of almond, whey or egg protein, flax, coconut and arrowroot. For those not counting carbs, our high carb white flour blend contains white rice, tapioca, potato starch and whey protein.

We also offer baked goods made with a high carb multi grain blend, which contains buckwheat, brown rice, sorghum and millet. Our housemade tortillas are made with masa harina. We currently do not use oats in anything we make.

What kind of alternative sweeteners do you use?

We use a blend of allulose, erythritol and monkfruit. Some of our chocolates contain maltitol or stevia.

Are your low sugar products labeled with carb counts/ macros? 

We have carb counts available for all of our low carb baked goods.

Where else are Bliss Bakery products available?

We are grateful to partner with the following businesses, listed below. We also offer local Door Dash, pickup and Nationwide Shipping.

Local Businesses

• Rykse & Co Bakery Kalamazoo (Mamak K Cookies, Cinnamon Rolls and Honeycomb Rolls plus seasonal cupcakes)
• Joe 2 Go (Mama K Cinnamon Rolls) Holland
• Lemonjello’s Coffee (Mama K Cinnamon Rolls) Holland
• Bridge St. Market (Mama K Cinnamon Rolls) Grand Rapids
• Red Lotus Meal Prep (huge variety, frozen) St. Joseph 
• Famous ScottDogs Food Truck (Mama K Hot Dog Buns)West Michigan Lakeshore area
• Unicorn Tavern (Mama K Burger Buns) Grand Haven
• Cops and Doughnuts (variety) Alpena
• Mezkla Taqueria (Mama K Telera Buns) Holland 

Meijer Locations (West Michigan) Mama K Cinnamon Rolls and Buns

• 5019 Red Arrow Hwy, Stevensville, MI 49127
• 1920 Pipestone Rd, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
• 1223 Phoenix St, South Haven, MI 49090
• 746 E 16th St, Holland, MI 49423
• 3320 W Shr Dr, Holland, MI 49424
• 15000 US-31, Grand Haven, MI 49417
• 5300 Harvey St, Muskegon, MI 49444
• 1800 Holton Rd, North Muskegon, MI 49445
• 700 W Norton Ave, Muskegon, MI 49441
• 4665 S Green Ave, Fremont, MI 49412
• 405 Seward Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

What Customer Feedback Has Been Most Memorable?

The most impactful stories for me as a mom are when young people come in. They are able to choose anything they want from our over 50 pastries and breads, or even anything from our Brunch menu, and it’s all safe for them to eat.

They get so emotional and that really inspires me to keep going! Everyone, regardless of how they need to eat, should have more than one choice in a bakery or restaurant!

What would you like consumers to know about your products and your business?

This is a tough business; I’m not going to lie. Niche services must work harder than anyone to stay profitable. We definitely put in that hard work, with love and care into every item we make. I desire to earn your business and keep it for many years to come, by providing a consistently delicious and nutritious product week in and week out.

In addition, we take a different approach to gluten free baking, in that the vast majority of our products are grain free. This means we don’t rely heavily on rice flour for our baked goods. This gives us a vastly superior shelf life at room temperature, improved flavor and texture profile, and improved nutrition.

Bliss Bakery Location and Hours & Contact Info

Bliss Bakery and Cafe

102 River Rd Holland MI, 49423

616-558-1272

Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 3 pm, Closed Sunday & Monday. Shipping Available

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Email

Bliss Bakery is one of many gluten free bakers across the state of Michigan.  Click this link to see a comprehensive list of all the gluten-free bakeries in Michigan, complete with interactive map! Looking for more local eats? Check out my list of gluten free baked good options at Michigan Farmers Markets. 

The post Bliss Bakery – Holland, MI appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.