Some of you may have heard of the Ketogenic diet, and some of you may have not which is okay. I started it two weeks ago and have convinced my roommate to try it with me.
The premise of the diet is cutting back on your carbohydrate intake in order to switch your body to burning fat instead of carbs. It switches from saving fat to burning it and so you can lose a significant amount of weight on this diet. The only downside is the low carbs.
That means limited sugar, no bread, no donuts, and no chips!! There is an upside though. Surprisingly there is a lot of food that is keto friendly! Here at my top four favorites!
1. Spinach and Artichoke Dip.
Everyone is surprised that I tell them this one is keto friendly. Most diets would say a resounding no to having this because of the number of calories. Thankfully Keto doesn't count calories only carbs and a serving of this glorious cheesy dip is only two grams of carbs per serving. Totally Keto friendly, especially when you dip parmesan cheese crisps in it.
2. Bacon.
Okay, this one is less of a surprise because it is meat, and meat is very minimal carbs...but BACON!! who doesn't love a good piece of bacon? This has become a great snack for me the last few weeks I've been on this diet because once it's cooked, it's so easy to grab and eat a couple pieces without feeling the guilt that comes with some other snacks.
3. Diet Coke.
This is a major staple in my diet. It was before, but thankfully it is something I can continue to drink. Its a great source of caffeine and pseudo-sugar to get you through those tough (okay, most) days. With zero carbs, you can drink as much of it as you want and it doesn't break your diet or prevent you from eating other things throughout the day.
4. Three Cheese Pizza.
This pizza is a game changer. It's not the typical "pizza" because obviously, you cant have the crust on this diet, but this is a great substitute. It is made by a company called Real Good Pizza Co. and instead of using a typical crust, they use chicken breast that has been pounded flat. They then add toppings and all you have to do is pop it in the microwave or in the stove and voila! A perfectly great stand-in pizza, again without all the guilt.
The first few days of Keto are the worst, but if you make it through the first stretch the reward is well worth it. Hopefully, these tips and tricks can help you through your cravings during the first few days so you can fully reap the benefits of this great- and slightly crazy- new diet.