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40 Keto Dinner Ideas

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Looking for more Keto Dinner Ideas? Add these delicious Keto Dinner Recipes to your rotation for comforting meals that are quick and healthy.

Are you starting the Keto Diet or just looking for new recipes to try? We've got some great recipes for you below. But first, let's talk a bit about what the Keto Diet is.

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Keto Dinner Ideas

What Is Keto?

The Keto - or ketogenic - diet revolves around eating a high fat diet that includes low to moderate amounts of protein and very low carbs.

The Keto diet is intended to help with weight loss and improve your overall health, and it may have benefits that protect against diseases and health conditions like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Based on the high fat, low carb model, the Keto diet allows the body to enter a metabolic state of ketosis. In Ketosis, the body uses ketones that are produced from fat as it's primary way to burn energy, so the body burns more fat than on a regular diet. Normally, the body uses blood sugar for energy.

Pros & Cons Of Keto

Pros: The Keto Diet can help with weight loss and may help manage appetite and other health conditions like diabetes and cholesterol. Keto diets may also help lower blood pressure.

Cons: People who try the Keto diet may experience some of the following side effects: constipation, bad breath, headache, and brain fog.

There are some studies that indicate that practicing the keto diet for the long-term can lead to nutrient deficiencies, kidney stones, and low protein in the blood.

Some people who begin the Keto Diet may experience what is referred to as "Keto Flu". This reportedly only lasts a few days but may include constipation and/or diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, low energy, trouble sleeping, and increased appetite.

What To Eat On A Keto Diet

These are the best things to include in your meal plan when practicing the Keto Diet.

  • Fish and Seafood
  • Meat - Chicken, red meat, turkey, ham, bacon, sausage
  • Eggs
  • Cheese - go for unprocessed cheeses
  • Cottage Cheese
  • Yogurt/Greek Yogurt - unsweetened
  • Sour Cream
  • Grass fed butter
  • Heavy Cream
  • Nuts and Seeds
  • Avocados
  • Healthy oils like avocado oil and EVOO
  • Veggies that are low carb - tomatoes, peppers, spinach, broccoli, onions, zucchini, cauliflower, etc.
  • Fresh berries
  • Dark chocolate and cocoa powder
  • Unsweetened tea and coffee

What Not To Eat On A Keto Diet

These are the things you want to mostly avoid on the Keto Diet. Some of these things can be eaten in small amounts, just be mindful of how many carbs you are consuming, and in general, stay away from sugar.

  • Grains, including rice, pasta, cereal, bread, and crackers
  • High Carb/High Sugar Fruit like bananas, raisins, pears, dates, mangos
  • Starchy vegetables like potatoes, corn, beets, and sweet potatoes
  • Sweetened Yogurt
  • Fruit Juice
  • Sugar, syrup, and honey
  • Chips
  • Gluten-free baked goodies
  • Milk (it's high in sugar)
  • Beans/legumes - Small amounts may be alright but they are high in carbs
  • Beer and alcohol

Keto Diet Tips

  • Focus on whole, healthy foods.
  • Consider adding vitamins to your daily routine to prevent and nutrient deficiencies.
  • Read your food labels and focus on fat, carbs, and fiber to see if it is a good fit in your meal plan.
  • Make a meal plan and keep your kitchen stocked with the things you need to prepare your meals and snacks.
  • Try new Keto recipes to keep things fun and prevent you from burning out too quickly. Things that are easy to prepare and budget friendly are always a bonus.
  • Make casseroles, soups or stews, pulled pork and other things that can be made in large batches so that you have leftovers for lunches and quick snacks, or repurposed into other meals.
  • Look for frozen Keto meals in the freezer section to keep on hand for when you're in a pinch.
  • Don't get complicated at restaurants. Order a protein forward entrée like chicken or fish and ask for veggies or a salad instead of the high-carb side orders.
  • Eggs are your friend! These can be turned into a lot of Keto-friendly meals, even for dinner.
  • If you're ordering a burger when you're out, ask for it to be lettuce wrapped. Most restaurants will do this now.
  • Make sure you're consuming unsaturated fats that are heart healthy like avocado, olive oil, olives, fish, nuts and seeds.
  • Get plenty of sleep.
  • Add salt to your diet to prevent electrolyte imbalances.
  • Add a moderate exercise routine to your schedule.
  • Drink lots of water!
  • Get rid of the junk food! Don't keep tempting snacks and processed foods in the house.

Keto Dinner Recipes

Add these delicious Keto Dinner Recipes to your rotation for comforting meals that are quick and healthy.

Heidi Deal
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