On keto, all you look at are the macronutrients, but in reality, or with whole foods, you can really dive into the essential micro-nutrients that we all need.
Combining a whole-foods diet and a keto diet just makes sense. Both diets are anti-inflammatory and want you to gain the best nutrition you can.
I’ve been low carbish for 5 years now. And although I feel great while eating like this, I found that if I wanted to really start losing weight, or getting my energy up, that I needed to ‘clean up’ my diet; meaning to take away the processed foods that slowly slide into everyone’s eating habits.
Are you interested in trying out the ketogenic diet but want to ensure that you’re still eating a clean, healthy diet? Then look no further! Combining the keto diet with whole foods allows you to reap the benefits of both diets. This means being able to lose weight while still getting all the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs. Here are some tips for having a clean diet while on keto.
Incorporate Quality Meats and Vegetables.
Clean keto is really simple. Fresh green vegetables, organic meat, and healthy oils. Full Stop.
I found that quality really matters. One of the best food sources are fish or free-range, omega 3-laying chickens and their eggs.
Focusing on quality ingredients is important when following any type of diet, and it’s especially important if you’re looking to combine keto and whole foods. Try to buy grass-fed beef, free-range eggs and organic produce whenever possible. These ingredients are higher in nutrients than conventional varieties, so they’ll give you more bang for your buck nutritionally speaking.
Eating a combination of the keto and whole foods diets can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. To make it manageable, it’s best to stick to the basics when starting out. Quality cuts of meat should make up a majority of your diet while on keto – think fatty cuts of beef, pork, lamb and poultry as well as wild-caught seafood. The same goes for vegetables – choose nutrient-dense options that are naturally low carb, like leafy greens and cruciferous veggies. By sticking to these basic staples while transitioning into Ketosis you’ll be able to reap the full benefits of these lifestyle changes
Whole Food, Keto Staples
- free-range eggs
- Chicken
- Red Meat (liver is best)
- Fish
- Brocolli/cauliflower
- Fresh Green Beans
- Asparagus
- Brussel Sprouts
- Lettuce/kale
- Avocadoes
- Spaghetti squash
- Zucchini
- Cucumbers
- Peppers
- Tomatoes
- Olive Oil
- Grass-Fed Butter, Or Ghee
- Avocado Oil
Avoid Packaged and Processed Foods.
Notice that all the ingredients I mentioned, are not processed. Try to avoid packaged or processed foods while on the keto diet. These often contain hidden sugars or other unhealthy ingredients that can disrupt your progress on the keto diet. Stick with real food whenever possible!
When following a strict keto diet, it is essential to have a clean and healthy diet in order to reach the desired results. To make sure that your keto meal plan is as healthy as possible, one of the best strategies is to avoid consuming packaged or processed foods whenever you can.
While these kinds of foods might be convenient and tasty, they often contain unhealthy ingredients such as added sugars and preservatives. Instead, focus on cooking with natural ingredients like fresh vegetables and lean proteins like fish or chicken so that you can both reap the benefits of a keto lifestyle and maintain your health goals.
Meal Plan in Advance.
Planning ahead will help make sure that you have enough healthy meals on hand to last throughout the week. This will also help prevent cravings as well as hunger-induced binges that could derail your progress on the keto diet. Take some time each week to plan out your meals so that you always have something ready when it’s time to eat!
I like to cook my meat all at once for the week. Shredded chicken breasts in the slow cooker or instant pot, or brown organic ground beef on the stove. Then separate it into days. You can even freeze these sections, and pull one out as needed.
Some people like to cut and prep all of their vegetables and sauces at the same time. I don’t usually bother with that because cutting up veggies doesn’t take that long, and I like them fresh.
Eating a clean diet takes discipline and effort, but with the right meal plan to help you stay on track, it can be done! Whether you prefer to eat the same meals each day or switch up your dishes, taking some time over the weekend to plan ahead will let you enjoy nutritious snacks and satisfying home-cooked meals without having to feel restricted with quick unhealthy options. Planning and prepping meals in advance is definitely possible while on keto, leaving you plenty of time throughout the week to relax, exercise and live your best life with no need to worry if your daily eating habits are still following the ketogenic diet.
Cook Meals Yourself with Fresh Produce.
The best way to ensure that your food is healthy, is to cook it yourself using fresh produce. Not only will this help save money, but it will also ensure that there are no hidden ingredients or additives in your food that could be detrimental to your success on the keto diet. Plus, cooking can be a fun activity if done right!
Tips: Keep it simple. I cut up veggies, toss it with olive oil, salt and pepper, then throw it in the air fryer. Or make a one sheet baking pan. Or I make a simple stir-fry or salad.
There are a bunch of recipes you can find online for clean eating, but I just try to keep it simple.
But if you want a completely done for you menu plan. This 3-week keto book is on point!
One of the more powerful ways to ensure you stay on track with your dietary goals is to cook all your meals yourself, using fresh ingredients rather than pre-packaged or canned. Take the extra effort to find grass-fed meat and butter and free-range eggs, as well as organic produce if possible. While this approach may require more preplanning and preparation time, it will help you get maximum nutrition for every calorie consumed – an essential part of getting the most benefits from the keto lifestyle.
Utilize Grass-Fed Butter and Free-Range Eggs. A good rule of thumb when buying any animal product is “the closer it is from nature, the better it is for you” – meaning grass-fed butter and free-range eggs are great options for adding extra flavor and nutrition into your meals without compromising them nutritionally.
Plus, these animal products provide an excellent source of healthy fats which can help keep you full longer!
Bringing It All Together
Combining a ketogenic diet with whole foods helps provide many essential vitamins and minerals while still allowing for weight loss due to its high-fat content. Just remember – focus on quality meats, vegetables, butter and eggs; avoid processed or packaged foods; meal plan ahead; cook meals yourself; and utilize grass-fed butter and free-range eggs where appropriate! Following these tips will help ensure success without sacrificing health or nutrition along the way!
- Stick to the basics when combining keto and whole foods diets, such as incorporating plenty of quality meats and vegetables.
- Avoid packaged and processed foods as much as possible.
- Meal plan and prep in advance for the week in order to avoid having to grab quick snacks or eating out.
- Try cooking all meals yourself, using fresh produce instead of canned, making your own meat instead of buying frozen, and utilizing grass-fed butter and free-range eggs.
