Easy Steps For How To Start a Keto Diet or Low Carb Diet
The main point to start a keto diet plan or low carb diet is this:
RESTRICT CARBOHYDRATES. This is the most important! Restrict to less than 20g net carbs per day for a keto diet (some people can get away with under 30g). For a low carb diet, aim for under 50g net carbs per day, though some variations limit to somewhere between 50-100g per day (mostly if you are more active).
Get the carb limit down and you’re most of the way there! But to ensure your success, here are some additional tips for getting started on a keto diet or low carb diet:
- Limit protein intake. A keto diet or low carb diet is not a high protein diet! Low carb is generally higher in protein than keto, but be careful with both. High protein diets can stress the kidneys, and besides, excess protein converts to glucose. Make your protein intake a goal to meet each day, but more than that is not better.
- Use fat as a lever. We’ve been taught to fear fat, but don’t! Both keto and low carb are high fat diets. Fat is our source of energy as well as satiety. The key to understand, though, is that fat is a lever on a low carb or keto diet. Carbs and protein stay constant, and fat is the one you increase or decrease (push the lever up or down) to gain or lose weight, respectively. So if your goal is weight loss, eat enough fat to be satisfied, but there’s no need to “get your fats in” once you’re satisfied.
- Drink lots of water. This is especially crucial on a low carb or keto diet. Why? When you eat carbohydrates, your body stores the extra as glycogen in the liver, where they are bound to water molecules. Eating low carb depletes this glycogen, which allows you to burn fat – but it also means you are storing less water, making it easier to get dehydrated. Instead of the traditional recommendation of 8 cups of water per day, aim for 16 cups when following a low carb lifestyle.
- Keep up electrolytes. The major electrolytes in our bodies are sodium, potassium and magnesium. Because a low carb diet (especially a keto diet!) reduces the amount of water you store, this can flush out electrolytes and make you feel sick (called “keto flu”). This is temporary, but you can avoid or eliminate it by salting your food liberally, drinking broth (especially bone broth), and eating pickled vegetables. Some people also choose to take supplements for electrolytes, but it’s best to first consult a doctor that understands and supports keto/low carb lifestyles.
- Eat only when you are hungry. Get out of the mindset that you need to eat 4-6 meals per day or constantly snack. Eating too frequently on a keto or low carb diet is not necessary, and can affect weight loss. Eat when you’re hungry, but if you aren’t, don’t. Eating fewer carbs will make this much easier, as it naturally suppresses appetite.
- Focus on whole foods. Although eating natural or whole foods is technically not 100% required to restrict carbohydrates, eating processed foods will not help you get rid of cravings or be good for your body. Check the section below for more on what low carb foods are best.
- Exercise. This is not required for a low carb diet, but recommended. You’ll feel better, improve your health, and if your goal is weight loss, it will happen faster!
Low Carb & Keto Macro Calculator
The above list will give you the basics for how to start a keto diet plan or low carb diet plan.
But, if you really want to be sure that you are eating the right amounts, you need a low carb or keto macro calculator. Most calculators work for just one or the other, but Wholesome Yum has one that will do it for each diet type!
As a general guideline, here are the macro percentages for a low carb diet plan:
- Fat: 40% to 70%
- Protein: 20% to 25%
- Net carbs: 15% to 30%
… and for a keto diet plan:
- Fat: 60% to 75%
- Protein: 15% to 30%
- Net carbs: 5% to 10%
Click here to calculate your macros!
What to Eat on a Keto Diet or Low Carb Diet
One of the most common questions I get is, “what to eat on a keto diet?” or “what to eat on a low carb diet?” Fortunately, with the right resources, this is one of the easiest questions to answer.
In fact, the keto diet (and low carb diet) is probably the most flexible, sustainable eating lifestyle out there. You don’t have to feel deprived, bored or restricted. And, it doesn’t need to be complicated.
Let’s start with foods to get rid of…
Foods to Avoid on a Low Carb or Keto Diet
Avoiding carbohydrates is probably the biggest adjustments for people starting a keto diet or low carb diet. Many of us were used to consuming carbs at every meal. Below is a list of foods to avoid on a keto or low carb diet:
- Grains – including wheat, bread, pasta, rice, oats, cereal, corn, etc.
- Sugar – including table sugar, candy, pastries, cakes, ice cream, chocolate, soda, juice, honey, maple syrup, etc.
- Starchy vegetables – including potatoes, sweet potatoes, parsnips, etc.
- Legumes – including beans, lentils, chickpeas, etc. (Peanuts are an exception in moderation.)
- High-sugar fruits – including bananas, pineapple, oranges, apples, grapes, etc.
- Low-fat dairy & milk – including all cow’s milk (except heavy cream is fine), low-fat cheese, etc.
- Seed & vegetable oils – especially margarine, canola oil, corn oil, grapeseed oil and soybean oil
- Processed “low carb” foods – this depends on ingredients, so read labels for hidden sugar, starch, and artificial ingredients
Get these out of your house if you can! If you have family members that are not on board, at least store these in a separate area from other foods to reduce temptation.
Also, always, always check labels for any food that has one. Avoid anything that has added sugar or starch as an ingredient, watching for different names like dextrose, maltodextrin, maple syrup, honey, corn syrup, cornstarch, potato flakes, etc. Sometimes you’ll be surprised where you might find added sugars.
Now that you know what to avoid, here is a basic list of what to eat on a keto diet or low carb diet instead…
The Best Foods for a Low Carb or Keto Diet
This simple list summarizes what to eat on a low carb diet. And, what to eat on a keto diet is basically the same:
- Healthy fats like avocado oil, butter and coconut oil
- Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach and kale
- Low carb vegetables that grow above ground, like zucchini, cauliflower and asparagus
- Meat like beef and pork
- Poultry like chicken and turkey
- Seafood like fish and shellfish
- Full-fat dairy like cheese and heavy cream
- Eggs
- Sugar-free beverages like water, coffee and tea
- Herbs & spices like basil, dill and cinnamon
- Low carb condiments like mayo, hot sauce and mustard
You can also enjoy these on a low carb keto diet in moderation:
- Low carb fruit like avocados (the fruit exception that doesn’t need to be in moderation), raspberries and coconuts
- Nuts & seeds like almonds, macadamia nuts and sunflower seeds
- Sugar-free sweeteners like erythritol, monk fruit and stevia
- Low carb flours like almond flour, coconut flour and flax seed meal
The main difference between the low carb and keto diet is the macronutrient profile, but the types of foods you eat are mostly the same.
These are the basics, and it’s best to start simple – meat, eggs, fats, and veggies primarily. Once you have it down, you can experiment with extras like low carb/keto desserts or more advanced recipes, but it’s not necessary.
Now, let’s delve deeper into a specific list of low carb & keto foods you can eat!
Low Carb & Keto Diet Grocery List
The list above should give you an idea of the best and worst foods for a low carb diet. But if you’re starting out, it’s a good idea to know exactly what is included.
Low Carb & Keto Diet Recipes
If you are looking for low carb recipes and keto diet recipes, you’ve come to the right place! Every single recipe on Wholesome Yum is low carb and keto friendly.
And, each has 10 ingredients or less, because I’m on a mission to show you that keto and low carb recipes don’t have to be difficult, time consuming, or taste like “diet food”. I love sharing just how delicious and easy keto/low carb can be!
To get you started, here are a few of the most popular low carb keto recipes:
Find more low carb & keto recipes in the low carb recipe index.
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