The ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that can be challenging to stick to. However, with the right recipes and preparation, it can become second nature. The key to success is meal planning and preparation, as well as knowing which foods to eat and avoid. This includes focusing on whole foods such as meat, vegetables, and healthy fats, while staying away from sugar, grains, most fruits, legumes, and starchy vegetables. There are hundreds of keto recipes available, from chicken bacon ranch casserole to keto oatmeal and chocolate peanut butter protein bowls, ensuring that you don't have to miss out on your favourite foods.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Purpose | To put your body into a state of ketosis: burning fat instead of carbs for energy |
Macronutrient guidelines | 70-80% of calories from fat, 20-25% from protein, 5-10% from carbohydrates |
Meal prep | Set aside one day per week to make meals in advance |
Foods to eat | Meat, vegetables, cooking fats, full-fat dairy, nuts, low-carb vegetables, low-sugar fruits |
Foods to avoid | Sugar, grains, fruit, legumes, starches |
Keto breakfast ideas
Breakfast is an important meal to fuel your day, and there are plenty of keto-friendly options to choose from. Here are some delicious keto breakfast ideas to get you started:
Savoury Breakfast Options:
- Ham & Cheese Egg Cups: A delicious and cute breakfast option. You can also substitute ham with sliced deli turkey or salami.
- Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Roll-ups: A classic breakfast combination, perfect for a low-carb, high-protein start to the day.
- Frico Fried Egg Tostadas: A crispy, caramelized cheddar and pepper Jack cheese base topped with a zesty pico de gallo and a fried egg.
- Keto Breakfast Casserole: A simple yet impressive breakfast or brunch option. It features the classic combination of Italian sausage, broccoli rabe, and basil.
- Baked Eggs & Zoodle Bundles: An easy-to-make and satisfying vegetarian dish topped with a dollop of pesto-yogurt and an egg.
- Keto Chicken & Waffles: This dish features crunchy pork-rind-coated chicken tenders on gluten-free waffles made with cheesy eggs.
- Frittata: A quiche's less-fussy cousin and a great way to get creative with leftovers or veggies.
- Bunless Bacon, Egg, and Cheese: Use an egg as the bun for this classic breakfast sandwich. You can fill it with bacon, cheddar, and avocado, or try sausage and Gruyère.
- Low-Carb Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole: A tasty and satisfying breakfast option for those following a keto diet.
- Egg Muffins: These are perfect for meal prepping as you can make a big batch at once and store them in the fridge for up to 7 days.
- Keto Pancakes: Made with almond flour and lemon zest, these pancakes are a tasty and irresistible breakfast option.
- Chia Pudding: A delicious and creamy pudding that can be made in just 5 minutes. Mix chia seeds with milk and refrigerate overnight. Top with berries for a low-carb option.
- Keto Smoothie: A refreshing and healthy breakfast option. Blend raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, coconut milk, and baby spinach for a nutritious start to your day.
- Keto Cereal: Make a big batch of this granola and enjoy it throughout the week. It's also great sprinkled on keto ice cream!
Sweet Breakfast Options:
- Keto Cinnamon Rolls: A sinfully delicious and cinnamon-y treat made with stretchy mozzarella for a fluffy and chewy texture.
- Keto Chocolate-Glazed Donuts: Fluffy and light almond flour-based donuts with a smooth chocolate glaze.
- Keto Blueberry Muffins: Packed with protein and fruit, these muffins are a perfect keto-friendly breakfast option.
- Keto Pop-Tarts: A sweet and simple breakfast treat. You can make them even more fun by swapping in your favourite keto-friendly jam.
So, there you have it! A variety of keto breakfast ideas to choose from, whether you're a sweet or savoury breakfast person. Enjoy your keto journey and happy cooking!
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Keto lunch ideas
One-Pan Chicken Fajita
This recipe is a great option if you're looking for a protein-filled lunch with vegetables and a delicious seasoning mix. The best part? It's cooked in a piece of parchment paper, making it easy to prepare and ensuring that all the flavours are locked in.
Keto Beef and Broccoli
Craving Chinese takeout? This keto-friendly dish is a tasty alternative to your usual order. It's made with just a handful of ingredients and can be enjoyed on its own or served over cauliflower rice.
Keto Salmon
This fragrant salmon dish is packed with flavour thanks to the garlic and dill seasoning. It's a great option for lunch and can be served in a variety of ways. Try it with your favourite vegetable sides, sliced over a fresh salad, or flaked over low-carb pasta or rice.
Keto Enchiladas
These keto enchiladas are a creative way to enjoy the classic Mexican dish while sticking to your low-carb diet. They're made with innovative crepe-like tortillas and filled with seasoned chicken and a creamy avocado sauce.
Keto Chicken Salad
This chicken salad is a quick and easy option for lunch. It's packed with flavour and texture, thanks to the addition of homemade tarragon dressing, black olives, and roasted pepitas.
Keto Pizza
Who doesn't love pizza? This keto-friendly version uses a crispy, cheesy base that can be combined with your favourite toppings. Say goodbye to boring lunches and hello to endless varieties of pizza-inspired meals.
Keto Taquitos
If you're craving something crunchy and cheesy, these keto taquitos are the perfect choice. They're made with cheese tortillas, which are a fantastic keto-friendly alternative to corn tortillas.
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Keto dinner ideas
Keto-Friendly Lasagna Dome
This recipe swaps out traditional lasagna noodles for cabbage leaves, making it a keto-friendly meal with all the flavours of classic lasagna.
Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash
This chicken Alfredo-inspired recipe is a tasty weeknight dinner option. It's a great choice for those looking for a low-carb alternative to traditional spaghetti.
Keto Beef Stroganoff
This keto-friendly version of a classic comfort food replaces egg noodles with cauliflower rice. It's a hearty and satisfying option for a cosy night in.
Keto Chicken Parmesan
This chicken Parmesan is coated with almond flour and a generous amount of Parmesan cheese. It's a keto-friendly dish that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Keto Fish and Chips
This dish uses almond meal instead of breadcrumbs and avocado instead of potatoes, so you can enjoy fish and chips while sticking to your keto diet.
Keto Satay Chicken Bowl with Zoodle Salad
This easy and creamy satay bowl with chicken thigh fillets and zucchini noodles is perfect for a quick keto dinner.
Salsa-Braised Chicken with Avocado
This dish features chicken thighs braised in a salsa verde and white wine sauce, topped with cilantro and avocado. Just be sure to use a sugar-free white wine to keep it keto-friendly.
Keto-Friendly Spinach & Artichoke Chicken Rolls
A creative and tasty option, these chicken rolls with a spinach and artichoke filling can be brightened up with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Honey Mustard Salmon
This dish uses whole-grain mustard to add texture and body to the salmon. It's a great way to add variety to your keto dinners.
Baked Buffalo Wings
A quick and easy recipe, these buffalo wings get their fire-red colour from a cup of BBQ sauce. They're perfect for a keto-friendly game day snack.
Garlicky Greek Chicken
This herby, garlicky dish is a simple yet satisfying way to switch up your weeknight chicken dinners. It pairs well with roasted zucchini and asparagus or other seasonal vegetables.
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Keto snacks
There are many keto snacks that are both delicious and easy to make. Here are some ideas for keto-friendly snacks to help curb those cravings:
Sweet Snacks:
- Peanut Butter Keto Cookies
- Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Keto Peanut Butter Sandies
- Keto Oreos
- Keto Cookie Dough Bars
- Keto Coconut Porridge
- Keto Chocolate Mousse
- Keto Peanut Butter Cups
- Keto Coconut Popsicles
- Keto Strawberry Cream Cheese Bites
- Keto Vanilla Espresso Almond Butter
- Keto Yogurt
Savory Snacks:
- Keto Tortilla Chips
- Keto Taquitos
- Keto Crackers
- Keto Popcorn Cheese Puffs
- Keto Trail Mix
- Keto Parmesan Crisps
- Keto 90-Second Bread
- Keto Caprese Avocado Bowls
- Keto Bacon Cauliflower "Mac" 'n' Cheese
- Keto Chicken Bacon Asparagus Twists
- Keto Smoked Salmon Dip
- Keto Bacon Spinach Dip
- Keto BLT Egglets
- Keto Burger Fat Bombs
- Keto Sausage Puffs
- Keto Beef Stroganoff
- Keto Salami Chips
- Keto Pesto-Stuffed Burrata Bombs
- Keto Pumpkin Bread
- Keto Ice Cream
- Keto Breakfast Sandwiches
- Keto Cereal
- Keto Avocado Chips
- Keto California Cucumber Bites
- Keto Rosemary Crackers
- Keto Cheese Crisps
- Keto Pork Rinds
- Keto Pickles and Cheese Cubes
- Keto Seaweed Snacking Sheets
- Keto Deli Roll-Ups
- Keto Greek Yogurt Parfait
- Keto Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Keto Caprese Skewers
- Keto Nut Butter Dippers
- Keto Smoked Salmon Rolls
- Keto Celery with Cream Cheese
- Keto Egg Salad Lettuce Wraps
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Keto desserts
No-bake keto desserts
No-bake keto cheesecake
No-bake cheesecakes are a great option for keto dieters as they are simple to make and can be made in double batches to be frozen for later.
No-bake keto cookies
These cookies can be made in minutes with coconut flour, peanut butter, and keto maple syrup.
Keto fat bombs
These one-bite treats are high in healthy fats and low in carbs, making them the perfect snack to curb those 3 pm hunger cravings.
Keto key lime pie
This dessert is made with a buttery keto pie crust, a creamy key lime pie filling, and a delicate whipped cream topping.
Keto edible cookie dough
This comforting dessert is made with almond flour and coconut flour, giving it a soft and fluffy texture.
Keto peanut butter cups
These treats are made with just three simple ingredients and are a perfect sweet snack to have ready in the freezer.
Keto birthday cake
This cake uses almond flour and coconut flour to create a light and fluffy texture with a perfect crumb. It can be tailored to your taste, with as much or as little lemon flavor as desired.
Keto chocolate desserts
Keto chocolate cookies
This popular cookie recipe is a favorite among those following a keto diet and even those who are not.
Keto chocolate mousse
This light and airy dessert is full of rich chocolate flavor and is a great option for those who want something sweet without the carbs.
Keto brownies
The perfect keto brownie is a must-have for anyone starting a keto diet. This recipe creates a fudgy, gooey, and rich treat.
Keto chocolate cake
This low-carb cake can be served with keto ice cream and is sure to impress even those who are not following a keto diet.
Keto pudding
A sugar-free version of the classic chocolate pudding, this dessert will bring back childhood memories.
Keto fudge
This decadent fudge is made with sugar-free chocolate chips and peanut butter, combining sweet and salty flavors.
Keto milkshake
A keto-friendly milkshake that is even better than the original.
Keto chocolate chip cookies
These cookies are a must-try for anyone following a keto diet. They are crispy, chewy, and crunchy, all while being low-carb.
Keto pecan pie bars
These bars are a perfect definition of decadence, with a soft and gooey texture and a rich flavor.
Keto peanut butter cookies
These cookies are ready in under 10 minutes and are a great crispy and chewy treat.
Keto sugar cookies
Buttery soft and crisp around the edges, these cookies are a great option for those who want a quick fix, as they are ready in just 20 minutes.
Keto blondies
With a gooey texture and a hint of vanilla, these blondies are a great alternative to brownies for those who want a treat with less chocolate.
Keto lemon bars
These bars have a buttery shortbread crust and a gooey lemon filling, making them a perfect summertime treat.
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Frequently asked questions
Some keto-friendly foods include meat, vegetables, and cooking fats. More specifically, chicken, pork, steak, sausage, salmon, tuna, shrimp, olive oil, coconut oil, avocados, heavy cream, cheddar cheese, and nuts such as pecans, walnuts, and macadamias.
Foods to avoid on a keto diet include sugar, grains, fruit, legumes, and starchy vegetables. This includes white sugar, honey, maple syrup, white and wheat bread, rice, quinoa, couscous, apples, oranges, black beans, lentils, sweet potatoes, and carrots.
Some easy keto meals include keto oatmeal, crustless quiche, keto cereal, chocolate sea salt smoothie, avocado egg bowls, chicken and broccoli blue cheese salad, and chicken cauliflower fried rice.
Some keto-friendly snacks include keto chocolate chip muffins, keto frozen Greek yogurt bark, keto peanut butter silk pie, keto chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches, keto blondies, and keto puffed cheese snacks.