Over the past few years, the popularity of keto and low-carb diets has surged. However, what exactly is the keto diet, and how can you simplify the process of adhering to a ketogenic diet?
The burning question is: what exactly is a keto diet??
A keto (ketogenic) diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that drastically reduces carbohydrate intake and replaces it with fat, forcing the body to enter a metabolic state called ketosis. In ketosis, the body starts using fat for energy instead of glucose. This can result in weight loss and other potential health benefits, such as improved blood sugar control and reduced risk of certain diseases.
The keto diet typically includes foods such as meats, fish, eggs, non-starchy vegetables, nuts, and healthy fats such as olive oil and avocado. It usually excludes high-carb foods like bread, pasta, and sugary snacks.
What are the potential benefits of following a keto diet?
There are several potential reasons why someone might choose to follow a keto (ketogenic) diet:
- Weight loss: The keto diet is often used as a weight loss strategy, as it can help you lose weight by reducing your intake of carbohydrates, which can lead to a reduction in calorie intake and a shift to burning fat for fuel.
- Improved blood sugar control: The keto diet may help improve blood sugar control, which can be beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
- Increased energy levels: Some people report increased energy levels and improved mental clarity when following a keto diet, potentially due to the shift to using fat for fuel.
- Reduced inflammation: The keto diet may help reduce inflammation in the body, which can be beneficial for conditions such as arthritis.
- Reduced risk of certain diseases: Some research suggests that the keto diet may be beneficial for reducing the risk of certain diseases, such as heart disease and certain types of cancer.
It's important to note that the keto diet may not be suitable for everyone and should be approached with caution. It's always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before embarking on any new diet or exercise regime.
What should you be on the lookout for when shopping for a keto diet?
When shopping for keto products, there are a few key things to focus on:
- Low-carb: Since a keto diet aims to reduce carbohydrate intake, it's essential to choose foods that are low in carbs. Look for products that have 5 grams of carbs or less per serving.
- High-fat: Since a keto diet requires you to get most of your calories from fat, choose products that are high in healthy fats like monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Avoid products with unhealthy trans fats.
- Protein: While protein is important for maintaining muscle mass, too much protein can kick you out of ketosis. Choose products with moderate amounts of protein, and try to get most of your protein from whole foods like meat, fish, and eggs.
- Natural and unprocessed: Choose products that are natural and unprocessed as much as possible, and avoid products with added sugars and artificial ingredients.
- Nutrient-dense: A keto diet should be balanced and provide your body with all the essential nutrients it needs. Choose products that are nutrient-dense, such as leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and berries.
By focusing on these factors when shopping for keto products, you can ensure that you're making healthy choices that will support your keto diet goals.
Scouring the supermarket for keto meals while keeping things interesting and nutritious can be quite a chore. Fortunately, there's an alternative: consider trying a meal subscription service that provides keto-friendly options.
Never struggle with keto meal planning again: a comprehensive guide to meal boxes
There are several meal box services in the UK that offer keto meals. Here are some options:
- Mindful Chef: Mindful Chef is a meal delivery service that offers a range of healthy meals, including keto-friendly options. They use only high-quality ingredients and offer a variety of dishes that are low in carbs and high in healthy fats.
- The Pure Package: The Pure Package is a meal delivery service that offers a range of healthy meals, including keto-friendly options. They use only fresh, natural ingredients and offer a variety of dishes that are low in carbs and high in healthy fats.
- Gousto: Gousto is a meal delivery service that offers a range of healthy meals, including keto-friendly options. They use only high-quality ingredients and offer a variety of dishes that are low in carbs and high in healthy fats.
- HelloFresh: HelloFresh offers a limited selection of keto-friendly meals each week, which are labeled as such on their menu. They include meals such as Greek-style chicken with roasted vegetables, and beef stir-fry with shiitake mushrooms.
- Green Chef: Green Chef offers a dedicated keto meal plan, which includes three meals per week that are designed to be low in carbs and high in healthy fats. Their keto meals include dishes such as almond-crusted chicken and Thai-style pork stir-fry.
- Riverford: Riverford offers some keto-friendly meals that are labeled as such on their menu. They include meals such as spinach and feta stuffed chicken with roasted cauliflower, and grilled salmon with salsa verde.
- Keto Meals Delivered: Keto Meals Delivered is a meal delivery service that specializes in keto meals. They offer a variety of dishes that are low in carbs and high in healthy fats, and all of their meals are designed to help you stay in ketosis.
- Prep Kitchen: Prep Kitchen is a meal delivery service that offers a range of healthy meals, including keto-friendly options. They use only fresh, natural ingredients and offer a variety of dishes that are low in carbs and high in healthy fats.
These are just a few examples of meal box services in the UK that offer keto meals. It's worth doing some research to find the best option for you based on your specific needs and preferences.
It's important to note that not all meals from these services are keto-friendly, so be sure to check the nutritional information before ordering. Additionally, while these services offer some keto options, they may not be as specialized as meal delivery services that focus exclusively on the keto diet.
Are you curious about keto-diet meal boxes? Take a look at our overview of keto meal box options.
