The healthy keto plan recommends cutting back on carbohydrates to reach and sustain nutritional ketosis, with plenty of fatty fish, non-starchy vegetables, eggs, dairy and berries all contributing.
This plan promotes the consumption of whole-food fats such as olive oil and grass-fed butter that contain omega-3 fatty acids and linoleic acid for maximum benefit.
Getting Started
A keto diet shifts your body’s primary fuel source from carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and beans to healthy fats which provide up to 90% of calories. By cutting back on carbs, your liver breaks down stored fat to produce ketones – molecules which provide energy for both mind and body. In addition, keto diet helps stabilize blood sugar and insulin levels as well as reverse type 2 diabetes in some cases.
Start a healthy keto plan and replace lost carbs with an optimal combination of proteins, non-starchy vegetables and fats such as olive oil, avocado, nuts, fish and cheese – for instance olive oil is great! Also choose low-fat proteins like skinless chicken and shrimp and add sauces or salad dressing for flavor and additional fat content. Harvard Health Publishing reports that those switching to the keto diet may experience short-term symptoms including headaches, muscle cramps and fatigue and constipation – known as keto flu! However these effects typically subside within days so drinking plenty of fluids containing electrolytes such as salt and potassium can help.
An important feature of this meal plan is its focus on whole-food-sourced fiber, which aids digestion and keeps you feeling satisfied for longer. Furthermore, its lack of processed ingredients helps decrease overall fat and sodium consumption.
The meal plan also restricts added sugars and emphasizes foods rich in nutrients to provide energy from both glucose and ketones, according to nutritionist Jessica Mavridis. Doing this gives your body greater metabolic flexibility that extends beyond weight loss, according to Mavridis.
If you’re new to keto dieting, it is wise to track both food and calorie consumption for at least the first 3-5 weeks. This will allow you to see whether you are losing too much, too little, or at an appropriate pace. If not seeing results that meet your goals, make adjustments and check back in after some weeks; this way you will also discover which foods work best with your body so that long-term plans can be created that suit it perfectly.
Meat and Poultry
A healthy keto plan focuses on whole, nutrient-dense foods like meat, eggs, non-starchy vegetables and high-fat dairy like butter or olive oil for fueling and staying full for as long as possible throughout your day. Furthermore, carbs should be limited while adding healthy fats will ensure maximum energy and satisfaction throughout your day.
Keto diet-compliant options include lean cuts of meat and skinless poultry, as well as deli meats without added sugar or starch. Enjoying processed meats like sausage links and cold cuts may also be possible, just be sure to select those which contain less saturated fat content on their labels.
Grass-fed and finished animal products such as free-range chicken, wild-caught fish and organ meats provide an abundance of essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. You may also include low-carb berries, mushrooms and leafy greens into your meal plan; our Healthy Keto meal plan features them alongside plant proteins like tofu and tempeh for maximum nutritional impact.
Nuts and seeds are another excellent source of healthy fats, provided they do not contain added sugars or starches. You can find all sorts of delicious nuts and seeds like sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pecans walnuts almonds chia seeds flax seeds with omega 6 levels ranging from low to higher – choose those which have higher heart-friendly amounts to help make an impactful heart-healthy choice!
Eggs are an excellent protein source that are naturally low in carbohydrates while boasting many B vitamins. Try eating eggs on at least a regular basis!
Dairy products can be an ideal addition to a keto diet, provided they’re limited to just a few servings each day. Full-fat dairy provides healthy fats and other important nutrients; you can choose from among yogurt, kefir and cottage cheese products.
On a keto diet, limited wine and spirits consumption is acceptable; sweet wines such as moscato or port should be avoided however.
Fish and Seafood
Fish is an excellent protein source on the keto diet, featuring few carbs and plenty of healthy fats, making it a fantastic way to manage weight and feel fantastic. Furthermore, fish is packed with essential vitamins and minerals such as Omega 3 fatty acids which reduce inflammation in the body – something especially helpful for those suffering from autoimmune conditions like psoriasis, arthritis, lupus, Crohn’s disease or MS.
Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines make excellent additions to a keto diet diet plan. Packed full of Omega 3 fatty acids – essential in fighting inflammation and supporting brain health – they’re packed full of B-complex vitamins as well as potassium, magnesium and phosphorus for overall wellness.
Tuna fish is another delicious option to add into any keto-friendly meal plan, boasting an ideal omega-3 to omega-6 ratio that protects cardiovascular systems. Tuna can also provide B-complex vitamins, potassium and selenium. However, due to its position in the food chain it does contain small amounts of mercury; for best results when choosing sustainably harvested tuna.
Shrimp is an exquisite and versatile food, perfectly suited to the keto diet. Low in both calories and carbs, and packed with essential vitamins and minerals – such as Omega-3 fatty acids. Plus, shrimp contains antioxidants believed to fight inflammation and ageing!
Seafood is an integral component of a pescatarian keto diet. Low in carbohydrates and full of essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, zinc and vitamin C, seafood offers many essential benefits for human health and functions as an ideal food source. Iodine and potassium levels found in seafood also play a crucial role in body functioning so its consumption should be recommended to anyone concerned with mineral intake or with deficiencies of these elements in their body.
Eggs
An egg fast is one of the most popular strategies for breaking through weight loss plateaus on a keto diet, consisting of eating only eggs, cheese and butter for several days at very low-carb intake levels. Although not supported by scientific research, many low-carb dieters say this approach works to speed up fat loss.
Eggs are an inexpensive and nutrient-dense food source that are versatile enough to fit into most keto recipes, thanks to their protein and healthy fat content. Eggs provide essential amino acids for muscle repair while their healthy fats help curb hunger and cravings. Plus, eggs can easily be found at most grocery stores making them a convenient snack or addition to salads!
Eggs contain both choline, an essential brain neurotransmitter, and selenium, an antioxidant that protects cells against free radical damage. Furthermore, they’re an excellent source of iron. According to the American Egg Board’s advice, starting off by eating two to three large eggs daily and supplementing this intake with other nutritious foods like low-carb veggies, fish, meat and dairy products.
The keto egg fast is an extreme and short-term diet designed to promote weight loss in the short term; however, its continued practice could cause nutritional deficiencies that lead to long-term weight gain. Therefore, this approach should not be recommended for anyone suffering from hypothyroidism, disordered eating, yo-yo dieting, egg allergies or sensitivities or anyone experiencing discomfort when consuming eggs.
When embarking on the egg fast, choose local, pasture-raised eggs and zero carb condiments like mustard or hot sauce for maximum success. Processed meats and other high-carb additives should also be avoided for this keto diet plan. You may enjoy eating your favorite egg-based dishes like omelets and scrambles while trying new egg drop soup recipes as hydration means electrolyte support is maintained through this option. Once completed, gradually return to a keto diet, keeping an eye out for increased ketones production, improved moods, reduced hunger/cravings as well as increased fat loss!