KFC Coleslaw Carbs: The Complete Nutrition Breakdown You Need

Are you craving that creamy, tangy KFC coleslaw but worried about your carb intake? I’ve been there too! As someone who carefully tracks my macros, I know how important it is to have accurate nutritional information. Let’s dive into exactly how many carbs are in Kentucky Fried Chicken’s popular side dish and what that means for your diet.

The Quick Answer: Carbs in KFC Coleslaw

According to the nutritional data, one regular serving (package) of KFC coleslaw contains:

• Total Carbs: 17.5-18g
• Net Carbs: 15.3-15.8g
• Fiber: 2.2g
• Sugar: 15-15.2g

This is for the standard serving size of approximately 112g (about 4 ounces).

KFC Coleslaw Nutrition Facts Breakdown

Let’s look at the complete nutritional profile of a standard serving of KFC coleslaw

As you can see, carbohydrates make up a significant portion of KFC coleslaw’s nutritional content, with most of those carbs coming from sugar.

Different Serving Sizes and Their Carb Content

KFC coleslaw is available in different serving sizes. Here’s how the carb content changes

1. Regular serving/package (112g):

   • Total Carbs: 17.5-18g
   • Net Carbs: 15.3-15.8g

2. By cup (191g):

   • Total Carbs: Approximately 30g
   • Net Carbs: Approximately 26.1g

3. Per 100g:

   • Total Carbs: Approximately 15.7g
   • Net Carbs: Approximately 13.7g

I’ve noticed that when I’m trying to track my macros, these serving size differences can really throw off my calculations if I’m not careful!

Is KFC Coleslaw Keto-Friendly?

With 15.3g of net carbs per regular serving, KFC coleslaw is generally not considered keto-friendly. Most strict ketogenic diets limit daily carb intake to 20-25g of net carbs total, which means one serving of this coleslaw would use up most or all of your daily carb allowance.

For those on low-carb diets that aren’t as restrictive as keto, KFC coleslaw might still be too carb-heavy to fit comfortably into your daily macro goals.

How KFC Coleslaw Compares to Other Fast Food Sides

Let’s see how KFC’s coleslaw stacks up against other popular fast food sides in terms of carb content:

As you can see, while KFC coleslaw isn’t the highest-carb side option, there are other choices with fewer carbs available if you’re watching your carbohydrate intake.

What Makes KFC Coleslaw High in Carbs?

You might be wondering why coleslaw, which is primarily made of vegetables, contains so many carbs. The answer lies in the dressing and added sugar.

Traditional coleslaw recipes typically include:

• Cabbage (low in carbs)
• Carrots (moderate carbs)
• Mayonnaise (very low carbs)
• Sugar or sweet dressing (high in carbs)

The KFC coleslaw recipe contains a significant amount of sugar in its dressing, which contributes to the high carb count. The 15g of sugar per serving makes up the bulk of the carbohydrate content.

How to Fit KFC Coleslaw Into Different Diets

Depending on your dietary approach, here’s how KFC coleslaw might fit:

Standard American Diet

KFC coleslaw can easily fit into a standard diet that doesn’t restrict carbs. At 161 calories per serving, it’s actually one of the lighter side options at KFC.

Low-Carb Diet (50-100g daily)

If you’re following a moderate low-carb diet, you could potentially include a small serving of KFC coleslaw occasionally, but you’d need to be mindful of your other carb intake throughout the day.

Keto Diet (20-25g net carbs daily)

As mentioned earlier, KFC coleslaw is generally too high in carbs for a ketogenic diet. A full serving would use up most or all of your daily carb allowance.

Diabetes-Friendly Diet

With 15g of sugar per serving, KFC coleslaw may cause blood sugar spikes in people with diabetes. If you have diabetes and want to enjoy KFC coleslaw, consider having a smaller portion and pairing it with protein to help mitigate blood sugar impacts.

Homemade Lower-Carb KFC Coleslaw Alternative

If you love the taste of KFC coleslaw but want to reduce the carb content, I’ve created a homemade alternative that comes pretty close to the original flavor with fewer carbs:

Lower-Carb KFC-Style Coleslaw Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 cups shredded cabbage
• 1/4 cup grated carrot
• 2 tablespoons minced onion
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons sugar substitute (like erythritol or monk fruit)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Instructions:

1. Mix the cabbage, carrots, and onion in a large bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients to make the dressing.
3. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and stir well.
4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving (overnight is best for that authentic KFC taste).

This homemade version has approximately 3-4g net carbs per serving, significantly lower than the original KFC version!

Hidden Nutrition Facts About KFC Coleslaw

Beyond just the carb content, there are some interesting nutritional aspects of KFC coleslaw worth noting:

• Vitamin K: KFC coleslaw contains about 79.4 mcg of Vitamin K per serving, which is 66% of the daily recommended value. This comes primarily from the cabbage.

• Vitamin C: Each serving provides 16.4 mg of Vitamin C (18% of daily value).

• Sodium Content: At 212mg per serving, the sodium content is moderate but not excessive compared to many other fast food items.

• Fat Profile: Of the 9.7g of fat, most comes from polyunsaturated fats (5.5g) with only 1.5g being saturated fat.

Why KFC Coleslaw Tastes So Good (Despite the Carbs)

I’ve always wondered what makes KFC coleslaw so addictively good! The combination of sweet, tangy, and creamy flavors creates a perfect balance that complements KFC’s savory fried chicken.

The high sugar content is definitely part of what makes it so delicious, along with the finely chopped texture that’s different from many other coleslaws. KFC’s coleslaw has a distinctive minced consistency rather than the shredded style found in many other restaurants.

Final Thoughts: Is KFC Coleslaw Worth the Carbs?

Whether KFC coleslaw fits into your diet depends entirely on your personal nutritional goals and preferences. Here’s my take:

• If you’re on a strict low-carb or keto diet, the 15.3g net carbs per serving make KFC coleslaw a challenging fit.

• If you’re moderately watching carbs or calories, you could enjoy KFC coleslaw occasionally by adjusting your intake elsewhere or opting for a smaller portion.

• If you have a special place in your heart for KFC coleslaw (like I do!), consider trying the lower-carb homemade version I shared above.

Remember that no single food is “good” or “bad” – it’s all about how it fits into your overall diet and whether it aligns with your health goals.

Frequently Asked Questions About KFC Coleslaw Carbs

Q: Does KFC coleslaw have less carbs than their other sides?
A: KFC coleslaw (15.3g net carbs) has fewer carbs than biscuits (29g) and mac & cheese (24g), but similar carbs to mashed potatoes without gravy (15g) and corn on the cob (16g).

Q: Why does coleslaw have so many carbs when it’s mostly vegetables?
A: The high carb content comes primarily from added sugar in the dressing. The cabbage itself is actually low in carbohydrates.

Q: Can I eat KFC coleslaw on a low-carb diet?
A: It depends on how strict your low-carb diet is. At 15.3g net carbs per serving, it would be difficult to fit into very low-carb diets but might work occasionally for moderate low-carb approaches.

Q: How many calories are in KFC coleslaw?
A: A regular serving of KFC coleslaw contains approximately 161 calories.

Q: Is KFC coleslaw gluten-free?
A: According to the ingredient information, KFC coleslaw doesn’t contain wheat or gluten ingredients, but KFC doesn’t guarantee that cross-contamination won’t occur in their kitchens.

Next time you’re at KFC, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting carb-wise when you order that creamy, tangy coleslaw. Whether it fits your diet or not, at least now you can make an informed decision!