The Keto Diet, which is short for the ketogenic diet, is now one of the most famous weight loss diet techniques that many people are trying. This diet consists of foods that are low in carbohydrates but high in fat and protein. By undergoing this diet, your body will go under ketosis, which is a metabolic state that breaks down fats and proteins for energy. It is a good weight loss diet, but it can also help people with certain medical conditions. If you are thinking about making the switch, don’t worry because there is still plenty of food you can choose from. Here are seven healthy, but delicious food that can help you maintain and enjoy your keto lifestyle.
Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The purpose is to break the fasting period overnight and help replenish glucose to help you boost your energy levels and alertness. Moreover, it will give you more nutrients that your body needs.
Almond Butter
Almond Butter is a good substitute for any other spread if you are minimizing your carbohydrate intake. Almond butter is full of calcium, iron, Vitamin B, zinc, and even Vitamin E. You can choose between varieties like crunchy or smooth, or raw and roasted. SuperFat Nut Butter or Legendary Foods’ Pecan Pie Flavored Almond Butter are some of the top almond butter in the market.
You can pair your butter with Ezekiel Bread or Cloud Bread as they are a famous keto substitute to regular bread. If you’re craving for some nutty goodness, or just wanted to stick to your usual breakfast, there are also best tasting low carb cereal like Magic Spoon’s Peanut Butter Flavor. The regular cereal and peanut butter will make you go over that goal with just one serving. But both almond butter or low carb cereal has only 1g or even 0 grams of sugars since they often use Allulose as a sugar replacement.
Avocado
Avocado is one of the healthiest food that is famous in every Keto Diet journey. They have a high content of heart-healthy fats (monounsaturated fatty acids or MUFAs) and high in vitamins and minerals. Avocados also can be associated with any of your favorite foods and are very versatile in various recipes like a Southwest salad recipe. Some of the most famous avocado breakfast dishes are:
- Keto Avocado Breakfast Bowl
- Avocado Chicken Salad
- Guacamole Avocado Dip
- Avocado Smoothie
- Keto Avocado Toast
Avocado will certainly be a great addition to your ketogenic diet.
Eggs
Eggs can easily be associated with your diet. It is a healthy and very versatile type of food for most occasions. If you are always on the go or don’t want complicated meal preparation, you can whip up some eggs, and you are all set. One egg contains 1 gram of carbs and 6 grams of protein, making it perfect for the keto lifestyle. Moreover, egg whites have all the protein and egg yolks with Vitamin A, D, E, K, B12, folate, choline, and lutein. Eggs can easily make you full and satisfy your hunger. It has all the goodness that you need.
Lunch
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but make sure that you don’t skip your lunch. Skipping a meal can ruin your metabolism and cause weight gain. To keep your body and brain running, ensure that you get nutritious lunch.
Seafood
All of the seafood, including shellfish, are all keto-friendly foods. They are high in protein with very few to no carbohydrates at all! For fish, you can try salmon, mahi-mahi, flounder, cod, and ahi tuna. Wild fish are better than farm fish since the latter are more prone to diseases. If you want shellfish, you can eat clams, mussels, oysters, and scallops. Besides eating fishes and shellfish have many health benefits. Meals, including seafood, should be incorporated into your keto diet frequently but still in moderation.
Meat and poultry
Meat and poultry are high in protein and doesn’t contain any carbohydrates, and this is why it is a fundamental food in the ketogenic diet. Though you should eat it in moderate levels, you have a lot of options to alternate every meal. Consume organic and grass-fed meats as they are healthier ( higher amounts of omega-3 fats, conjugated linoleic acid, and antioxidants). Chicken, beef, and pork meals are ideal for the keto diet. If you are looking for snacks, you can opt for a charcuterie board, bacon, and the like.
Dinner
Unlike other diets, you can still eat dinner while on the keto diet. If you want some light but filling dinner meal, you can opt for these two types of food.
Shirataki noodles
Shirataki noodles are traditional Japanese noodles which is translucent and have a gelatinous texture. They are a great addition to your keto meals since they are low in carbohydrates but high in fiber. They can be bought raw or cooked and are very easy to find in the supermarket. They don’t have flavor, but they are great at absorbing flavor from broth or sauces. Moreover, they come in different varieties like rice, fettuccine, and linguine, making them suitable for all recipes. Some recipes you can try are Stir fry chicken with Shirataki noodles, Keto Spaghetti Pasta, Pad Thai, and Keto Ramen Shirataki Noodle Soup.
Vegetable Salad
If you’re running out of food choices, you can quickly make a good old vegetable salad! Like everything, you need a vegetable that is low in calories and carbohydrates but still loaded in nutrients. If you want a filling food that you can substitute with your higher carb food, a keto-friendly vegetable salad is perfect for you. Here are some vegetables that you can include in your meals: cauliflower, zucchini, cucumber, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, asparagus, kale, and tomato. You can fry them in butter, boil or just drizzle some olive oil.
The best thing about this lifestyle is you don’t have to think about limiting yourself too much. You just need a proper meal plan that will help you maintain a keto diet. As the famous quote said, “If you keep good food in your fridge, you will eat good food.”