Top 7 Keto Foods to Try This Year

The keto diet has become one of the most popular diets in recent years. Millions of users search for information about the keto diet on Google alone.

This unique fad diet has captured the interest of millions as more people report success by following the keto diet. So, what is a keto diet?

Well, the keto diet is a type of diet that calls for consuming high amounts of fat, a moderate amount of proteins, and very little amounts of carbohydrates. It consists of about 75% fats, 20% proteins, and 5% carbs.

We all know that carbohydrates are our body’s preferred source of energy, but if you follow the keto diet, the carb intake will be around 5 percent.

The keto diet puts our body in a metabolic state called ketosis, which forces it to burn down stored fats rather than carbohydrates to generate energy.

Potential Health Benefits of a Ketogenic Diet

The keto diet is used in clinical settings to help children suffering from epilepsy. It helps reduce seizures in children with epilepsy. But now, the keto diet has become popular because of its ability to help people lose weight quickly.

While the keto diet is popularly known for its weight loss wonders, it has a ton of other potential health benefits that many people don’t recognize. 

The low carbohydrate composition of this diet can significantly reduce your appetite. Together with your reduced appetite, consuming more fat and protein will further assist you in consuming fewer calories.

Moreover, there are other specific health benefits that a Keto diet can offer:

• Increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) levels 

• Lowers blood pressure 

• Reduces the risk of developing obesity, diabetes, and heart diseases

• Boosts overall mental health

• Promotes good gut health

• Stabilizes hormone levels 

• Provides an energy boost 

How to Take a Ketogenic Diet Effortlessly?

In this article, we’ll list down the best foods to incorporate into your keto diet, but let’s start easy first. Some people who are curious about the keto diet tend to get discouraged about starting their journey due to strict food choices and seemingly complex food recipes. 

To kickstart your keto diet journey, you can begin with a keto prepared meal that you won’t have to cook yourself. 

With these meals, you’ll only need to perform simple food preparation techniques, such as dissolving them in hot water, heating them up, and even eating them as they are. 

Prepared keto meals can be found in many food stores. Some companies even allow you to build and get your own box of keto goodies through subscription services, so you won’t have to worry about shopping regularly.

Sure, the keto diet is a weight-loss wonder, but the problem is that it’s very confusing to know which foods to eat. To help you out, we have listed 7 foods that you should eat if you want to embrace the keto diet.

1. Low-Carb Noodles

When you’re on the keto diet, noodles and pasta are usually not ideal because they contain large amounts of carbohydrates.

However, there are some low-carb noodles available on the market. Shirataki noodles are one of the best types of keto noodles that you can buy right now.

These extremely popular Japanese noodles have been used as a low carb alternative for traditional types of pasta.

Shirataki noodles are made from water and konjac yam, which means they have almost zero calories and zero carbs!

2. Fish and Seafood

Fish and seafood are rich in B vitamins, potassium, and selenium. They are also rich in proteins. The best thing about these foods is that they are carb-free, which makes them ideal keto foods.

We suggest that you also consume two 3-ounce servings of fatty fish every week such as albacore tuna, mackerel, salmon, sardines, etc.

Fatty fish are rich in omega-3 fats, which can lower your body’s blood sugar levels while increasing insulin sensitivity. Eating fish often can also help reduce the risk of chronic diseases and aids in improving our mental health.

2. Cheese

Cheese is one of the most ideal foods to eat when you are on the keto diet. It’s rich in fat but contains very little carbohydrates. Cheese is also rich in proteins and calcium.

Cheese, however, contains a lot of saturated fats which can be bad for people who have heart diseases. We suggest that you consume 1 ounce of cheese a day to reduce the risk of heart disease.

You can include cheese in a simple and quick recipe such as cheesy potatoes to make it more delicious and rewarding instead of noshing on pure cheese alone.

3. Meat and Poultry

Another ideal food for people on the keto diet is meat and poultry. Meat is rich in lean proteins which makes it a staple item in the ketogenic diet. It’s also rich in B vitamins and important minerals such as potassium, selenium, and zinc.

The best thing about meat is that it has no carbohydrates at all. Bacon, sausage, and other types of processed meats are also ideal keto foods, but they’re not preferred by many people.

They can increase the risks of certain types of cancer and heart diseases. It’s best to go with natural chicken meat, fish, and beef when you’re on the keto diet and avoid processed meats.

4. Nuts, Seeds, and Healthy Oils

Nuts and seeds are rich in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats as well as fibers and proteins. And, they have little amounts of fat in them, making them ideal for people who are on the keto diet.

The same can also be said about healthy oils such as olive and coconut oil. These two healthy oils are widely recommended as part of the keto diet.

Both oils are rich in saturated fats and can help increase your body’s metabolic rate and promote weight loss.

5. Cocoa and Dark Chocolate

Cocoa has been considered by a lot of people as a “superfruit.” This is because cocoa contains high amounts of antioxidants.

Dark chocolate is also an ideal keto food as it contains flavanols that are great in reducing the risk of heart diseases, lowering blood pressure, and improving the health of our arteries.

When shopping for cocoa or dark chocolate, we suggest that you check the labels because the number of carbs they contain will vary based on how much you consume and their type.

6. Unsweetened Coffee and Tea

Natural, plain coffee and tea are ideal for those on the keto diet because they contain zero carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Coffee and tea reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Tea is rich in antioxidants which help lower the risks of heart diseases and strokes. Tea also promotes weight loss and boosts our body’s immune system.

7. Eggs

Last but not least on our list is eggs. As most people know, eggs are rich in proteins, antioxidants, B vitamins, and minerals.

Also, eggs don’t contain any carbohydrates at all. You can eat two eggs and you’ll get zero carbohydrates.

Aside from that, eggs trigger the production of hormones in our body that keep our blood sugar levels stable. Eggs give us a feeling of fullness. The antioxidants they contain also promote eye health.

Final Thoughts

While all these foods are proven to be suitable for the keto diet, we suggest that you consult your dietitian before you follow the keto diet.

This will ensure that your body receives the right amount of essential nutrients while sticking to the keto diet. Even though there are a lot of people who found success with the keto diet, it still doesn’t work for everyone.

So, discuss with your dietitian to know if this diet is good for you and you know how to do it the right way.