If you adhere to the ketogenic diet, you have one responsibility: keep the body in a state of ketosis. Ideally, you consume 60 to 80% of your calories from fat (preferably healthy fats), 20% of your calories from protein, and 10% from carbohydrates. These percentages have a little wiggle room, but the main thing to remember is not to consume too many carbs, or else you will kick your body out of ketosis. 

The idea of the ketogenic diet is based on the understanding that the body uses carbs as the primary fuel source for energy. Once your carbohydrate stores are depleted, the body starts using fat stores to carry out its functions. In theory, it makes sense that this diet will help encourage weight loss, but only if the body continues to burn fat, not carbs. That’s why selecting the right sweetener is paramount, as the wrong ones will drastically increase your carb intake. 

Which sweeteners are acceptable to consume on the keto diet? Stevia and erythritol, which essentially have no carbs, are great keto-friendly sweeteners, but there are others you can enjoy that will keep the body in ketosis. Continue reading to learn more about them. 

Monk Fruit

A great keto-friendly sweetener that often goes unnoticed is monk fruit, which is a plant native to China. In grocery stores, you will likely see it under names like PureLo or Monk Fruit in the Raw. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this sweetener is safe and about 100-250 times sweeter than regular table sugar. It is calorie-free and one teaspoon (tsp) contains 0.5 grams (g) of carbs. The mogrosides in monk fruit give it the natural sweetness, but they also act as prebiotics, according to some studies. More research is necessary to determine the effects of mogrosides on existing probiotics in your gut.

Yacon Syrup

This is probably a lesser-known sweetener, regardless of your involvement in the keto world. Yacon syrup comes from the roots of the bacon plant, which is native to South America. The syrup contains 50% of the calories of table sugar and is a fabulous source of fructooligosaccharides (FOS). This type of soluble fiber helps regulate cholesterol, but like other sugar alcohols, it may cause bloating or cramps in some people. Yacon syrup works best in coffee or tea, but it may also be used to sweeten salad dressings. Because FOS break down at high temperatures, avoid using it in recipes that involve cooking. 

Stevia

This is a classic low-carb sweetener native to South America, specifically Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, although it grows all over the world. In grocery stores, you will probably see it under names like PureVia or Truvia, but there are many manufacturers that create liquid or powdered versions. Some research found that stevia may lower blood sugar, which could be dangerous for diabetics who take insulin. That said, it may help lower blood pressure, which could benefit someone with high blood pressure. Much like yacon syrup, stevia works well in coffee and tea. Just keep in mind that it is about 200-400 times sweeter than table sugar and will not work well if used in large amounts. 

Xylitol 

Although this sugar alcohol is just as sweet as table sugar, it has fewer calories and carbs. Generally speaking, sugar alcohols do not raise blood sugar in the same way that table sugar does. The reason for this is because the body absorbs sugar alcohol, such as xylitol, much more slowly. According to the FDA, consuming too much xylitol, or other type of sugar alcohol, may cause cramps or diarrhea. You can add xylitol to coffee, tea, and smoothies, but it probably won’t work well in lots of recipes due to potential moisture absorbency. A 2022 study found that xylitol absorbed moisture when used to sweeten chocolate milk. 

Erythritol 

This naturally-occurring sugar alcohol is found in fruits like watermelon and grapes. It also exists in fermented foods, such as soy sauce and cheese. It is roughly 60 to 80% as sweet as table sugar and has zero calories. Erythritol does not spike your blood sugar, nor does it promote tooth decay. Preliminary evidence suggests that erythritol may help lower your total sugar consumption, which could decrease your risk of diabetes and obesity. Use erythritol as a substitute for table sugar in beverages and recipes. Just keep in mind that it has a cooling effect on the tongue and that may feel unpleasant if you use a lot of it.

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Homemade nut butter is just the way to go, folks. You only need two ingredients and a food processor to make a smooth and creamy nut butter that is free of preservatives and other unnecessary ingredients. Unlike store bought brands, this macadamia nut butter is free of palm oil, lectins, peanuts, and added sugars. That means that this nut butter is raw vegan, Whole30-approved, Paleo, grain-free, gluten-free, keto, and sugar-free. The subtle hint of sea salt perfectly complements the robust macadamia nuts.

Is homemade macadamia nut butter better than store bought varieties? While both are great options, making your own allows you to control the ingredients and blend until you reach your desired consistency. Perhaps you enjoy a nut butter that is just between chunky and smooth. Maybe you like nut butter to be velvety smooth, and you can have control over that when you make your own. Plus, homemade macadamia nut butter is nearly identical in price as the store bought version. Depending on which stores you have access to, you may or may not always see macadamia nut butter available. If you find raw macadamia nuts, though, you can transform them into a luxurious butter.

You will need a food processor for this recipe because a blender just won’t cut it. To achieve a smooth nut butter, you will probably have to blend for three to five minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides periodically. Just keep blending, scraping down the sides, and blending again until you achieve a smooth consistency. Once you are satisfied, spoon the butter into a container, seal the lid, and refrigerate. Use when ready.

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There is a snack problem in the United States. Too often to people snack on foods that don’t satisfy their hunger. It is impossible to only reach into a bag of chips a couple times if you want to snack. You can easily finish a bag of chips because there are no real nutrients. Snacking on processed foods will only lead you to eat more, increasing your caloric intake and your risk of weight gain. Instead, it is better to snack on foods that satiate you, such as energy balls.

With the arrival of fall comes the tidal wave of pumpkin spice, and we are more than ready for impact. Pumpkin spice utilizes warming fall spices and other seasonal ingredients. Although canned pumpkin puree is available year round, it is more prevalent on supermarket shelves during the fall and winter months. It is very important that you do not purchase pumpkin pie filling for this recipe. Pumpkin pie filling contains preservatives and excess sodium and sugar. So make sure to get 100% pure pumpkin puree to stay healthy.

Before you scroll down to the ingredients, please note that you should not substitute the coconut flour with another type of flour as a one to one ratio. That will not work. Coconut flour acts like a sponge, absorbing liquid incredibly well. You can keep this keto-approved by using almond meal or almond flour, but you will have to double the amount. Should you use another flour like oat flour, the recipe will no longer be keto-approved, nor will it be gluten-free.

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When it comes to keto smoothies, you need the right balance of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. While some green smoothies are very healthy and taste great, you cannot enjoy them on the keto diet. The reason for this is because they tend to contain a lot of fruit, such as bananas, mangos, pineapple, or papaya, all of which you have to limit or avoid while on keto. Berries and other low-sugar fruits are acceptable, so you have to be selective with your green smoothie ingredients. Fortunately for you, we did the work to create a high-fat smoothie that won’t give you a blood sugar spike. Plus, it’s a great way to incorporate more greens into your daily diet. That’s something a lot of keto enthusiasts don’t do!

A pro move for this smoothie would be to peel, pit, and cube the avocado and freeze it overnight. If you plan on using avocados in your smoothies, cubing them and freezing them is a great way to prevent them from going bad. Using frozen avocado chunks can also enhances the creaminess of your smoothie, but you don’t have to freeze avocados.

In addition to the avocado, the raw almond butter and homemade almond milk help make this smoothie extra creamy. It’s not quite a milkshake, but it’s not far from it! The squeeze of fresh lemon is the perfect kiss of zest that really sets off the other flavors. We hope you love it!

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The ketogenic diet, or the keto diet, is a popular diet that promises quick weight loss. People from all walks of life have used this diet as a way to turn their bodies into fat-burning machines. The diet limits the intake of carbohydrates and focuses on fat and protein consumption to get the body into the state of ketosis. During this state, the body burns fat (rather than sugar) for energy, but health experts worry about the side effects of this popular diet. 

Where other low-carb diets focus on protein, the keto diet’s primary focus is on fat. There are modified versions of the diet that vary the fat, protein, and carb percentages to achieve the state of ketosis. The restrictiveness of the keto diet forces the body to use fat as the primary fuel source, which helps you drop weight. Over time, though, experts have warned that the high-fat nature of the keto diet may lead to heart complications. This is because of the excessive meat, dairy, and unhealthy fat consumption. Granted there are healthier versions of the keto diet that include more fresh produce, but not every keto follower eats in this way. 

Entering ketosis is new for the body, so there is an adaptation phase, during which you may experience temporary side effects. It takes the brain and body time to adapt to burning ketones for energy instead of carbs. According to health experts, you may experience the following side effects once you go keto. 

Reduced Athletic Performance

A lot of athletes have been able to improve performance in their sport after losing weight on the keto diet. For example, many cyclists say that they pedal faster and better once they switch to keto. A 2018 study found that participants performed worse on high-intensity cycling and running tasks after four days of eating keto than participants who spent four days on a high-carb diet. The body is in a more acidic state during ketosis, which may limit its ability to perform at peak levels. Losing a few pounds won’t drastically improve athletic performance, but significant weight loss might. Just keep this in mind on your ketogenic journey. 

Constipation

One of the most common side effects after starting keto is a bout of constipation. Low-carb eating and constipation tend to go hand in hand, as you exclude many high-fiber foods from your diet. Beans, large amounts of fruits and vegetables, and whole grains are not keto-approved foods, and avoiding them can cause some bowel irregularity. The body also excretes more water, so that is a recipe for clogged pipes. If you want to keep things moving, enjoy keto-friendly, fiber-rich foods like avocado, nuts, non-starchy vegetables, and berries. Increasing your water intake also helps you avoid constipation.

The “Keto Flu”

Many people report that after starting the keto diet, they experience a range of flu-like symptoms. The “low carb flu” or “keto flu,” as people refer to it, affects about 25% of people who try a keto diet. Although the most common symptom is fatigue, people may experience headaches, brain fog, nausea, poor sleep, increased hunger, and decreased physical performance. These issues may discourage people from adhering to the keto diet before they start feeling or seeing the benefits. Symptoms tend to subside within a few days, though.

Bad Breath

Acetone is a ketone that is a byproduct of fat metabolism, and it can make your breath a little stinky. Often described as fruity and slightly sweet, ketosis breath results from the rise of blood acetone levels. This is because the body gets rid of some of the acetone via your breath, in addition to sweat and urine. For most people, the unusual breath smell will go away within a few weeks. 

Leg Muscle Cramps

If you experience leg muscle cramps on a regular basis when you switch to keto, you may need to drink more water. They can be painful and typically stem from dehydration or mineral loss. This is because keto can help get rid of water weight, as glycogen, the storage form of glucose in muscles and liver, binds water. The body flushes out glycogen as a result of low carb intake, and it’s one of the primary reasons that people see immediate weight loss on the keto diet. Continue to drink plenty of water to reduce the risk of dehydration and leg cramps and electrolyte imbalance. 

Intense Cravings

In case you didn’t know, carbs are incredibly addicting. That’s why so many people have a problem giving up bread, for example. When you eliminate carbs from your diet, the brain releases neuropeptide-Y (NPY), which signals the body that it needs carbs. When the body doesn’t get those carbs, NPY builds up and can intensify your cravings, increasing your desire to eat foods that are not keto-approved. The cravings are a direct result of the body’s biological response to carb deprivation, and less so your willpower to resist the temptation.

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You’ve heard the stories about people losing 40 pounds in two months and you want a piece of the pie. After doing your research, you concluded that the ketogenic (keto) diet is right for you and you can’t wait to get started. As attractive as the keto diet may be, it can be difficult to jump into a very carb-restricted eating plan. This is especially difficult when you consider that so many foods in the Standard American diet are carb-rich and on the keto diet’s naughty list. 

What Is The Keto Diet?

The keto diet is a low-carb, high fat diet that is very similar to the Atkins diet and other low-carb diets. Essentially, you replace most carbohydrates with fat to put your body in the metabolic state of ketosis. In this state, your body becomes efficient at burning fat for energy, as opposed to burning glucose for energy. Additionally, the body turns fat into ketones in the liver, which work to supply energy to the brain. 

In the beginning of the keto craze, the diet was outlined as about 70-70% daily calories from fat, 20-25% from protein, and 5-10% from carbs. However, these percentages have adjusted because health experts noted that that approach to the keto diet increased the risk of heart problems. This was because of the meat-centric, dairy-rich keto recipes that people consumed. Now, there is keto 2.0, which has adjusted percentages for carbs, protein, and carbs. You can learn more about keto 2.0 by clicking here. 

How To Start

The main reason people have subscribed to the keto diet is for weight loss. Anecdotal reports suggest that it is a quick fix, but the benefits may be short-term if you immediately switch back to your pre-keto eating habits. The most important thing to do in regards to starting the diet, though, is to do your research. Figure out what are the diet’s main principles and understand which foods are low-carb and which ones are high fat. You’ll soon learn that many foods are off limits because you cannot enjoy refined or whole grains, baked goods, starchy vegetables, legumes, pasta, bread, or sweetened beverages. 

Choose Healthy Proteins

It can be very easy to buy all of the meat and chow down when you’re following the keto diet. Keep in mind that focusing on unhealthy meats that are not sustainably raised can have long-term effects on your overall health, especially your heart. Bison, tempeh, wild caught tuna, tofu, free-range and organic poultry, wild caught salmon, and organic eggs are great sources of protein. Now, protein doesn’t just come from animal products. Nuts, which are keto-approved, supply the body with lots of fat and protein. Almonds, peanuts, peanut butter, walnuts, and more are excellent to consume when following the keto diet. 

It’s Not A Quick Fix

When you start keto, you have to think about why you are doing the diet in order to stay on track. Making your food choices for the right reasons can keep the drive alive. The “why” reminds you of your goal and the reason you started the diet in the first place. According to dietitians, it is helpful to think of keto as a lifestyle choice, as opposed to a quick fix diet. In the beginning, stick to keto as strictly as possible to help the body’s transition into ketosis. There will likely be some wiggle room down the line, in regards to what you can enjoy. For example, a glass of wine, a slice of dessert, or other carbohydrates may not kick your body out of ketosis after following it religiously. Keto 2.0, for example, is not an all-or-nothing approach to keto, which makes it more accessible. 

Plan Your Meals Ahead

When you have your meals planned, you can easily stick to the diet. You should always plan your snacks, and meals at least a day in advance, but this isn’t always the easiest thing to do. Statistically, people are more successful at adhering to diets when they meal plan for the entire week. If you decide that you want to go out to eat, look at the restaurant’s menu to see if keto-approved options are available. Because of the popularity of the diet, there are many restaurants that actually cater to keto followers. 

Don’t Skimp On Vegetables

Sure, vegetables have carbs, but there are many veggies that don’t have high carb count. Plus, the carbs from vegetables are complex, which are much healthier than the carbs from refined grains, bread, or other processed foods. Load your plate with vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and roast them as opposed to steaming them. You can impart a bit more flavor during the roasting process, especially in regards to seasonings and adding high-fat coconut oil.

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This delicious Chocolate Avocado Pudding will bring back those childhood memories. Enjoy this guilt-free dessert and don’t share!

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To share or not to share this delicious Chocolate Avocado Smoothie. The best part: It’s Raw AND Keto!

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Try this Raw Keto Hemp Seed Tabbouleh salad packed with various nutrients and packed with protein!

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Raw Keto Walnut Tacos! Prep these on your next Taco Tuesday!

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