Keto for Life: Look Better, Feel Better, and Watch the Weight Fall Off with 160+ Delicious High-Fat Recipes

Inspired by the keto diet and want to give it a try? You’ve read the success stories of fast weight loss, increased energy, and greater focus, and you want some of that for yourself. But let’s face it, drastically whittling down carbs can feel overwhelming. Never fear, this guide will take you through everything you need to know about starting a keto lifestyle step by step.

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What is the Keto Diet?

Keto is short for ketogenic diet, and its followers are slimming down with the help of processed meat, oil and butter. The end goal is to put your body into a state of ketosis where it’s burning fat as its primary fuel instead of glucose (sugar from carbs). This is known as ketosis.

Think about your body like a hybrid car. Most of the time it would be running on gas (carbs). But when you cut way back on carbs, your body switches to a far more efficient, alternative fuel source: electricity (fat). That “electricity” is what your body and brain run on when you enter ketosis, and it’s pretty amazing.

The Benefits of Going Keto

There are many reasons why people opt for the keto diet:

Weight Loss – Probably the number one reason people start keto. It burns fat for energy, curbs the appetite, and the result is weight loss.

Better Blood Sugar Control: Keto is good treatment for type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance, to the point of it being almost a cure, because it lowers blood sugar and insulin levels considerably.

Acuity and Mental Clarity: Another most common keto flu cause is feeling sluggish or foggy when your body is adjusting to burning ketones. Say goodbye to “carb crash,” or that feeling of fuzziness in your brain!

Less Appetite: High fat diets are very filling, which means you won’t be as hungry and will have fewer cravings.

What to Eat and What to Avoid

This is the absolute most important part of beginning keto. The trick is to eat whole, unrefined foods.

Foods to Eat:

Good Fats: Olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, butter butter and ghee.

Low-Carb Veggies: Leafy greens (spinach, kale), broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, peppers.

Protein: Grass-fed, fatty meat, poultry, fatty fish (like salmon and sardines), and eggs.

Dairy: Cream cheese, butter, and heavy cream.

Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, macadamia nuts, chia seeds and flax seeds (in moderation).

Avocados: A keto superfood, full of healthy fats and potassium.

Foods to Avoid:

Sugar: Candy, soda, pastries, ice cream and fruit juices.

Bread, pasta, rice, cereals and oats: Grains and Starches

Legumes: Beans, lentils, and chickpeas.

High Carb Fruit: These include bananas, grapes, and mangoes.

Root Veggies: Potatoes and sweet potatoes.

Diet “Food”: Low-fat products that are typically high in sugar and additives.

How to Get Started: Your 3-Step Starter Plan

Ready to jump in? Try these simple steps for making the move so much easier.

Step 1: Clean Out Your Pantry

The best way to stick with the program is avoid temptations. Do a kitchen detox Go through your kitchen and eliminate high-carb foods. If it’s not in there, you can’t eat it. Swap 'em for keto-approved staples like eggs, avocados, and coconut oil.

Step 2: Plan Your Meals

It’s key to have a plan, especially in the early stages. Simple meal ideas for your first week. Begin with simple-to-multiply recipes, whether it’s a giant batch of chicken and roasted vegetables, or even a basic egg scramble with cheese and spinach.

Step 3: Minimize Dehydration and Keep Up with Electrolytes

When you first eliminate starchy or sweet foods, you tend to lose water weight, not fat. That can result in that dreaded “keto flu,” leaving dieters with headaches, fatigue and muscle cramps. To avoid this from happening, keep yourself well-hydrated and keep hydration by drinking water. Even add some salt to your water, and try to eat some good sources of potassium (avocado) and magnesium (spinach).

Is Keto Right for You?

The keto diet is generally safe for most people to try, but you definitely want to discuss with your doctor or a registered dietitian first before drastically changing your eating habits, especially if you have any pre-existing health conditions.

Embarking on a low-carb diet might seem challenging, but it is easier than you think! Concentrate on small, lasting changes; listen to your body, and relish in the scrumptious and filling foods that are part of the keto diet.