One of the primary objectives of the keto diet is to have food that is rich in fats but low on carbohydrates. This will then enable the body to end up burning fat for energy instead of carbs, as it does naturally. The diet does not recommend removing certain food groups from the diet completely, but it does encourage sticking to certain types of foods strictly. A person following the keto diet has to ensure that they eat only the right foods.
Here’s a list of the keto diet dos and don’ts that you need to stick by:
- Include more leafy greens such as cabbage, kale, arugula, and spinach, as they have next to no carbohydrate content. The whole concept of a keto diet is to ensure you eat only about 5% carbs and have about 75% fats and 20% proteins.
- Stay away from sugar-rich fruits such as grapes, bananas, cherries, and mangos. They are also high in carbs.
- A good supplement to your regular diet would be different types of seeds as they contain a lot of healthy fats. Some of the best seeds to include are chia seeds, flaxseeds, and sesame seeds as they are rich in flavor and aid with the keto diet as well.
- A strict no in a keto diet is any form of grain-based foods. Some of the common items on your grocery list such as pasta, bread, rice, and cookies contain starch that translates into carbs and calories, making it imperative for you to avoid them when on a keto diet.
- Nuts are a great source of healthy fats as well. They can easily serve as snacks when you feel hunger pangs so that you do not end up binging on any form of carbs. Some of the best choices include almonds, pecans, and walnuts.
- Skip on all forms of processed and natural sugar. It is advisable to look for keto variants of desserts such as cakes and other baked goodies.
- What you should have on your keto diet list is a lot of lean proteins. This will constitute at least 20% of your whole diet. Lean proteins include healthy fats from meat, fish, or eggs.
In addition to following the above-listed keto diet do’s and don’ts, you also need to ensure that you follow a strict regime in terms of your lifestyle adaptation. Make sure your cooking is done only with high-fat oils and stick to low-calorie beverages. Also, you need to stay away from any form of high-carb vegetables like potatoes and turnips. One thing you must completely avoid when on a keto diet is any kind of alcohol consumption.
Following a keto diet regimen and maintaining its dos and don’ts can do your body wonders over time. Consult a doctor before embarking on any specific diet plan and make sure it is suited to your body type.