A ketogenic diet follows a strict regime of high fat, moderate protein and low carbohydrate intake. This results in your body entering a state of ketosis, where you burn fat instead of carbohydrates for energy. Essentially, a keto-diet tricks the body to act metabolically as if it was starving, even as you take in enough calories and nutrition to remain healthy!! The keto diet was originally developed in the 1920s to help children with epilepsy and has recently been adopted by many to help with weight management! The hardest part of a keto diet is the first few weeks as your body adjusts. Below are some tips and tricks for eating keto!
- Drink plenty of water – regardless of your diet and lifestyle, water is so important. It’s especially important when starting with a keto diet as your body will excrete more water. Keeping yourself hydrated during your keto transition will help combat any headaches you experience as you transition.
- Batch cook so you stay on track (including always having keto friendly snacks on hand) – sticking to a keto diet can be hard, so help yourself by batch cooking meals and snacks to stay on track. This way, when you’re tired after work or craving something sweet in the afternoon, you will have a keto-friendly option on hand instead of reaching for something unhealthy.
- Buy a food scale – when starting with a keto diet, food scales will be your best friend! If you measure everything by eye, you risk over-eating, and your body will not enter ketosis. That extra spoon of almond butter may be the difference between burning glucose or ketones!
- Watch out for hidden carbs – carbs are everywhere! It’s a good idea to clean out the cupboards of anything with carbs and make sure you read the labels. You would be surprised just how many foods you eat have carbs – even foods such as dressings and sauces might have flours or carb-based thickeners!
4 Ingredients KETO includes a large list of keto-friendly foods, keto-unfriendly foods, a typical keto plate, a typical day on a keto diet, plus plenty of keto friendly recipes! All made with the ease of just 4 or fewer ingredients!
Remember to always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program.