Lazy keto is a less restrictive and simpler version of the keto diet. While the keto diet requires meticulous tracking of macronutrients, lazy keto only requires people to restrict their intake of carbohydrates to 10% or 20 grams per day. This approach means that a person does not need to track their fat and protein intake. Lazy keto can be an easier way to cut carbs and lose weight, but it may not promote weight loss as effectively as the traditional keto diet.
What You'll Learn
Limit daily net carb intake to under 20-50 grams
Limiting your daily net carb intake to under 20-50 grams is a key principle of the keto diet. This restriction on carbs puts your body into a state of ketosis, which is essential for the diet to be effective.
On a keto diet, you are typically allowed 20-50 grams of carbs per day. This is usually for someone on a 2,000-calorie-per-day diet, but it works for most people wanting to get into ketosis. The lower your carb intake is, the faster your body will enter ketosis. So, if you are a beginner, it might be best to start with a limit of 50 grams per day and gradually reduce this number over time.
To calculate your net carbs, subtract the amount of fibre from the total number of carbs. If the food is processed, you should also subtract half of the sugar alcohol content. You can find these quantities on food labels.
On a lazy keto diet, you only need to track your carb intake. This means you don't have to worry about counting calories, fat, or protein. However, it is still important to eat a balanced diet and ensure you are getting enough protein, fibre, and healthy fats.
- Get familiar with low-carb foods: Make a list of staple foods that are low in carbs, such as meat, fish, full-fat dairy, and non-starchy vegetables.
- Read food labels: Check the carb content of your favourite foods and identify which ones fit into your lazy keto plan.
- Choose nutrient-dense whole foods: Focus on filling your diet with nutritious, minimally processed whole foods. This will help you avoid nutritional deficiencies and ensure you are getting enough fibre and micronutrients.
- Make simple swaps: Try replacing high-carb foods with low-carb alternatives. For example, choose courgetti instead of pasta or celeriac fries instead of potato fries.
- Track your carb intake: Use an app like MyFitnessPal to monitor your carb intake. While you don't need to track calories, fat, or protein on a lazy keto diet, it can be helpful to pay attention to your net carb count.
Remember that the best diet for sustained weight loss is one that you can stick to. Lazy keto may be a good option if you find it easier to follow than a strict keto diet.
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Avoid high-carb foods like bread, potatoes and sugary snacks
To lose weight on the lazy keto diet, it is important to limit your intake of high-carb foods such as bread, potatoes, and sugary snacks. Here are some tips to help you avoid these foods:
First, it is crucial to understand which foods are high in carbohydrates. In addition to bread and potatoes, other high-carb foods include pasta, rice, cereal, crackers, and starchy vegetables like corn and peas. Sugary snacks can include cakes, cookies, candy, chocolate, ice cream, and sweetened drinks.
One way to avoid these high-carb foods is to plan your meals ahead of time. By creating a meal plan or shopping list, you can ensure that you have keto-friendly foods readily available. For example, you could try swapping out bread for lettuce wraps or using cauliflower rice instead of regular rice. There are many low-carb alternatives available that can help you stick to your diet.
It is also important to read food labels carefully. Carbohydrates can be found in unexpected places, such as dairy products, fruits, and even some vegetables. Checking the nutritional information on food labels can help you make informed choices and avoid hidden sources of carbohydrates.
In addition to planning meals and reading labels, you can also try to limit your exposure to high-carb foods. If possible, avoid going to places where these foods are readily available, such as bakeries or candy stores. Instead, opt for grocery stores or markets that offer a wider variety of keto-friendly options.
Finally, it is important to remember that the lazy keto diet is not just about avoiding high-carb foods; it is also about making healthier choices. Focus on eating nutrient-dense, whole foods that will provide your body with the fuel it needs. Include plenty of lean proteins, healthy fats, and low-carb vegetables in your diet. By making these healthier choices, you will not only avoid high-carb foods but also improve your overall health and well-being.
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Focus on nutrient-rich carbohydrates
The lazy keto diet is a less strict version of the ketogenic (keto) diet, with the only rule being to consume no more than 20 grams of carbohydrates per day. This diet is a low-carbohydrate eating plan that helps with weight loss. While the classic keto diet involves eating a high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carbohydrate diet, the lazy keto diet does not require calorie, fat, or protein counting.
When following the lazy keto diet, it is important to focus on consuming nutrient-rich carbohydrates as part of your daily allowance. This means including healthy carbohydrates in your meals and choosing nutrient-dense whole foods. Here are some tips and guidelines to help you focus on nutrient-rich carbohydrates while following the lazy keto diet:
Choose the Right Carbohydrates
Not all carbohydrates are created equal. When following the lazy keto diet, it is important to choose carbohydrates that are nutrient-rich and will provide your body with the fuel it needs. Here are some healthy carbohydrate options to include in your diet:
- Whole grains: Brown rice, quinoa, rye, barley, oats, buckwheat, and quinoa are excellent sources of carbohydrates and provide essential nutrients like fibre, vitamins, and minerals.
- Pulses: Garbanzo beans, lentils, peas, kidney beans, black beans, and pinto beans are not only good sources of carbohydrates but also provide plant-based protein and fibre.
- Starchy vegetables: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, corn, and parsnips are starchy vegetables that contain carbohydrates and essential nutrients like potassium, vitamin C, and fibre.
- Fruits: Blueberries, strawberries, bananas, mangoes, and grapes are examples of nutritious fruits that can be included in your lazy keto diet. They provide natural sugars, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Limit Refined Carbohydrates and Added Sugars
To ensure you are getting the most nutrient-rich carbohydrates, it is important to limit refined carbohydrates and foods with added sugars. These types of carbohydrates are typically highly processed and offer little nutritional value. Examples of refined carbohydrates and added sugars to limit or avoid include:
- White pasta, bread, and rice: These are highly refined and provide empty calories, lacking in essential nutrients.
- Cakes, biscuits, sweets, and pastries: These tend to be high in added sugars and unhealthy fats, offering little nutritional benefit.
- Ice cream and desserts: While they may contain some dairy, these are often loaded with added sugars and can cause spikes in blood sugar levels.
- Sugar-sweetened drinks: Both hot and cold sugar-sweetened drinks can contribute to excess calorie intake and provide little nutritional value.
- Packaged breakfast cereals: Many breakfast cereals are made with refined grains and are high in added sugars, so it's best to opt for plain oats or other whole-grain options.
Create a Balanced Plate
When constructing your meals, remember to include a balance of protein, fibre, and healthy fats in addition to your nutrient-rich carbohydrates. This will help you feel satisfied after eating and ensure you are getting all the essential nutrients your body needs. Here are some tips for creating a balanced plate:
- Choose a source of protein: Opt for fish, poultry, or meat as your main source of protein. These provide essential amino acids that your body needs to build and repair tissues.
- Include healthy fats: Avocado, olive oil, nuts, seeds, cream, and full-fat dairy are excellent sources of healthy fats that can help you feel full and satisfied after meals.
- Don't forget your fibre: Green leafy vegetables, salads, and above-ground veggies are great sources of fibre, which is essential for digestive health and can also help lower cholesterol levels.
Plan and Prepare Your Meals
To ensure you are focusing on nutrient-rich carbohydrates, it is helpful to plan and prepare your meals in advance. This way, you can make sure you are getting a variety of healthy carbohydrates and other essential nutrients. Here are some tips for meal planning and preparation:
- Make a list of low-carb foods: Familiarize yourself with the wide variety of low-carb foods you can enjoy, including meats, fish, full-fat dairy, and non-starchy vegetables.
- Create a low-carb shopping list: Stock up on nutrient-dense whole foods like lean proteins, healthy fats, and fibre-rich vegetables.
- Prepare simple low-carb swaps: Try substituting courgetti for pasta or celeriac fries for potato fries. There are many creative ways to enjoy your favourite dishes while sticking to the lazy keto diet.
- Track your carb intake: Use an app or food journal to track your carbohydrate intake. This will help you stay within your daily limit and ensure you are getting enough nutrient-rich carbohydrates.
By focusing on nutrient-rich carbohydrates while following the lazy keto diet, you can ensure you are getting the essential nutrients your body needs while still reaping the weight loss benefits of this low-carbohydrate eating plan. Remember to include a variety of whole foods and limit highly processed, refined carbohydrates to optimize your health and well-being.
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Eat lots of fat
Eating lots of fat is a key principle of the keto diet. The classic keto diet is a high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carbohydrate diet. While the lazy keto diet is less strict, and you don't have to track your calories or the amount of fat and protein you're consuming, fat should still make up a large part of your diet.
On the keto diet, your body enters a metabolic state called ketosis, where it burns fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. To achieve this, you need to eat a lot of fat, as well as severely restricting your carbohydrate intake. The classic keto diet recommends that 60% of your calorie intake should come from fat, while on the lazy keto diet, this number can be as high as 70-80%.
There are many sources of healthy fats that you can include in your diet. These include:
- Avocados
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Nut oils
- Full-fat dairy products, such as butter, cheese, and cream
- Nuts, such as almonds, cashews, and walnuts
- Seeds, such as chia seeds, flax seeds, and sunflower seeds
- Fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel
It's important to note that not all fats are created equal. When following a keto diet, it's best to choose sources of healthy, unsaturated fats, such as those listed above. Additionally, while you don't need to track your fat intake on the lazy keto diet, you should still be mindful of eating too much fat. Eating more fat than you need is unlikely to help with weight loss and may even lead to weight gain due to excess calories.
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Avoid tracking calories, fat and protein
The lazy keto diet is a less strict version of the ketogenic (keto) diet, which is often used for weight loss. Unlike the classic keto diet, you do not have to count calories, fat, or protein. The only rule is to eat no more than 20 grams of carbohydrates per day, or 10% of your daily calories. This means you can still eat dairy foods, healthy oils, non-starchy vegetables, and some fruits, pulses, and starchy vegetables.
The goal of the lazy keto diet is to help your body enter ketosis, a metabolic state in which your body burns fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. While it is not necessary to track calories, fat, or protein intake, it is important to understand carb counting and ensure you are consuming enough macronutrients to lose weight safely.
- Get a general idea of your daily macronutrient needs: Use an online calculator or speak to a healthcare provider to understand how many carbohydrates, proteins, and fats you need per day. This will ensure you are getting adequate nutrition and losing weight safely.
- Focus on carb counting: Understand which foods are high in carbohydrates and how to identify the ones with the most nutrients. Research your weekly favorites and read food labels to create a list of carb-heavy items that fit your lazy keto plan.
- Build a list of staple foods and meals: Create a list of foods and meals that will help you maintain ketosis. Focus on high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carbohydrate options.
- Choose nutrient-rich carbohydrates: When limiting carbohydrates to 10% or less of your daily calories, prioritize nutrient-dense options such as whole grains, pulses, starchy vegetables, and fruits.
- Avoid refined carbohydrates and added sugars: Stay away from white pasta, bread, rice, cakes, biscuits, sweets, ice cream, sugar-sweetened drinks, packaged breakfast cereals, snack bars, and ready-made meals high in carbohydrates or added sugars.
By following these tips, you can successfully follow the lazy keto diet without the need to track calories, fat, or protein intake. However, it is important to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new diet, especially if you have a health condition.
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Frequently asked questions
Lazy keto is a less restrictive version of the ketogenic (keto) diet, which involves eating no more than 20 grams of carbohydrates per day. Unlike the classic keto diet, you don't have to count calories or track your intake of fat and protein.
Lazy keto consists of low-carb foods like meat, fish, full-fat dairy, and non-starchy vegetables. It limits high-carb foods such as bread, potatoes, sugary snacks, and some fruits.
Lazy keto can help with rapid weight loss, improved blood sugar control, reduced appetite, and increased energy levels. It is also easier to stick to than a strict keto diet as it requires less tracking and has more flexibility.