Tasty Ketogenic Meal Ideas You Have To Try

The ketogenic diet, a low carb diet, causes the body to produce ketones in the liver to be used as energy. When someone consumes excess carbohydrates, their body begins to produce insulin and glucose. Glucose is a molecule the body chooses first to use as energy. Therefore, fats consumed are not needed and become stored in the body, which also delays the process of burning existing body fat. When you lower your carbohydrate intake, your body goes into a state of ketosis.

The purpose of a ketogenic diet is to force the body into a fat-burning state by starving it of carbohydrates. When you lower your carbohydrate intake and also increase your fat intake, your body will use ketones as its primary source of energy. This results in optimal health, weight loss, and better mental and physical performance. On a ketogenic diet, avoid sugar found in juice, soda, candy, or chocolate. Stay clear of grains or wheat products including pasta, bread, cereal, rice, or corn. Do not consume starchy vegetables such as yams or potatoes. Avoid low-fat foods as they contain a higher amount of sugar and carbohydrates compared to full-fat versions.

Continued is a list of meal ideas to help kickstart a ketogenic diet.

A Ketogenic Breakfast

Eggs are often the best friend of those who choose to go on a ketogenic diet. Everyone can create a keto-friendly breakfast sandwich using biscuit cutters to make egg patties why frying. Assemble the sandwich with a sausage patty, avocado, and cheese. You can still enjoy pancakes as long as they are made with coconut or almond flour. For flavor, use cinnamon, cream cheese, or artificial sweetener.

Those who miss the texture of hashbrowns can make their own version using rutabagas. To do this, grate rutabaga, add cheese, eggs, coconut flour, and seasonings, and let the mixture sit for a few minutes. Create patties out of the mixture and fry each patty in a pan with a generous amount of butter. Alternatively, keep things simple with a breakfast of bacon, scrambled eggs, and sausage. Certain types of fruit such as blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries, are allowed on the ketogenic diet in small quantities.

Keep reading and move to the next meal of the day.

Looking For Lunch Ideas?

A typical lunch on the ketogenic diet is ham cheese roll-ups with cream cheese and arugula or spinach. Anyone can make tuna salad boats using romaine lettuce leaves as a taco shell, and create a filling using tuna, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. Practically any hamburger or cheeseburger is acceptable as long as you use lettuce leaves in place of a bun. Many fast-food restaurants offer "protein-style" bunless burgers.

Of course, no day is complete without consuming the occasional snack.

Get Your Fill Of Snacks

Full-fat string cheese or a handful of almonds are easy snacks, especially on the go, as are pork rinds, beef jerky, and hardboiled eggs. You can bake small piles of shredded cheese on parchment paper to make cheese crisps and add slices of pepperoni to make mini pizzas. Kale chips, cherry tomatoes, sugar-free jello, and olives will fill you up without kicking you out of ketosis.

Continue reading for the details on ketogenic dinners.

What's For Dinner?

Dinner on a ketogenic diet isn't difficult since the diet does allow individuals to consume chicken, meat, and fish. However, opt for organic, grass-fed, and pasture-raised meat whenever possible. For those who love pasta, try making zucchini noodles topped with parmesan cheese and olive oil, or pasta using cream cheese, eggs, and vital wheat gluten.

Thai lettuce beef wraps are a popular ketogenic option that uses lime, mint, and cilantro for intense flavor. Slow cooker beef and broccoli is easy to make and is also low-carb. Finally, you can add fresh or frozen vegetables to any ketogenic dinner. Lean towards leafy vegetables and avoid corn, carrots, parsnips, and potatoes.

Keep on going for the treat of the day. Yes, it's still possible!

Don't Forget About Dessert

Those who follow the ketogenic diet need not deprive themselves of dessert, which many rejoice at when they find out. A popular dessert option under this diet is chocolate mouse made with butter, cream cheese, whipped cream, stevia, and cocoa powder. One serving of this delicious dessert contains only 1.5 grams of carbohydrates. It is also possible to make a no-bake cheesecake with two grams of carbohydrate using cream cheese, sour cream, and heavy whipping cream.

It is important to mention alcohol is acceptable in moderation on the ketogenic diet, though you should avoid sweet wines, beer, cocktails containing sugar or syrup, and flavored alcohols.