If you’re on a keto diet, you may be wondering what foods to eat. Fortunately, there are many things you can eat even though this diet is highly restrictive. Also, there are many supplements, such as KetoCycle to ease your keto diet journey.
Dairy products are not forbidden on this diet. Aside from dairy, you can also include nuts and seeds in your diet. These high-fat and high-protein foods make great snacks and meals on the keto diet.
As for fruits and vegetables, they can be a great addition to any keto meal. Low-carb fruit like berries is a great source of potassium, and vitamin C. Tropical fruits are also great options.
Meat and eggs are other staples on a keto diet plan. Fatty cuts contain plenty of B vitamins and minerals, and the protein helps you feel full.
If you are planning to follow the keto diet, here are the top 13 foods you can eat.
Animal Proteins to Eat on a Keto Diet
Meat and Poultry
Meat and poultry are important for a keto diet. Fresh meat and poultry contain fewer carbs and are a good source of protein. They provide a variety of nutrients, including B12, which is essential for good health. The protein in meats is important for muscle repair and growth, and it also contains essential vitamins.
Seafood
Seafood is an excellent source of animal protein on a ketogenic diet. It is also known to have a number of health benefits, including improving cardiovascular and cognitive health. There are many different types of seafood you can choose from to make your ketogenic diet a success. Salmon, for example, is carb-free. Shellfish, shrimp, crabs, salmon, sardines, and mackerel make some of the best keto foods.
Eggs
You can eat eggs as a source of protein on the keto diet in moderation. An egg contains about 6 grams of protein. In addition, egg white proteins can boost your immunity and have immunomodulatory and antimicrobial effects. You can also find several ketogenic diet recipes that feature eggs.
Fats and Oils to Eat on a Keto
Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil is a great source of healthy fats and antioxidants. It also has an impressive 14 grams of fat per tablespoon, which makes it perfect for the keto diet. Whether you’re cooking or making salads, it’s a good idea to keep a bottle of olive oil close to the stove. You can use it for dressings, dipping, and adding flavor to your meals.
Butter and Ghee
Butter and ghee are fats that you can eat in moderation on a ketogenic diet. While ghee is completely carb-free, butter contains a bit of carb. Both butter and ghee contain a similar amount of calories. However, ghee is better for cooking because it contains no lactose.
Dairy and Dairy Alternatives to Eat on a Keto Diet
Cheese
Cheese is one of the best keto food as it is low in carbs and high in fat. For example, 1 ounce of cheddar cheese contains only 1 gram of carbs and 6 grams of protein. It is a good source of calcium and protein. You can eat different types of cheese like blue cheese, cheddar, cottage cheese, cream cheese, goat cheese, feta, etc.
Cream and Half-and-Half
The cream is the fat that rises to the top of milk during the milking process. The cream has a higher fat-to-carbohydrate ratio than milk, but it is also high in calories. Half-and-half is a dairy alternative that contains 50% milk and 50% cream. A cup of plain half-and-half has 0.6g of carbohydrates.
Plain Greek Yogurt and Cottage Cheese
When it comes to dairy products, you can’t simply forgo them on the keto diet. Cottage cheese and plain Greek yogurt are the two best dairy products you can eat on a keto diet. They contain a few carbs, so you need to eat them in moderation. Cottage cheese is an excellent dairy alternative to use when making keto-friendly recipes.
Vegetables to Eat on a Keto Diet
Green Leafy Vegetables
Green leafy vegetables are high in vitamins and fiber, supporting heart health, brain function, and proper blood clotting. They are also high in antioxidants that fight free radicals. They are also low on the glycemic index, meaning they won’t spike your blood sugar. Vegetables are also tasty and easy to incorporate into a healthy meal.
Summer Squash
One of the best vegetables to eat in the keto diet is summer squash, which is packed with nutrients and is a great low-calorie alternative. Squash also has a lot of fiber and is rich in vitamins A and C. It is also high in antioxidants, which fight free radicals and keep cells healthy.
Peppers
Peppers are great vegetables to include in your keto diet meals. They provide many health benefits and are low-calorie while providing some dietary fiber. They also provide a good amount of vitamin C and potassium.
Plant-Based Foods to Eat on a Keto Diet
Nuts and Seeds
If you are planning to follow the Keto diet, there are many other plant-based foods you can eat. Nuts and seeds are excellent sources of fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. They are an excellent snack and can be added to smoothies. You can eat flaxseeds, chia seeds, pecans, macadamia nuts, brazil nuts, almonds, etc.
Berries
Other plant-based foods to eat in the keto diet include low-carb fruits like berries. These sources of antioxidants are high in fiber and have low net carbs.