There are several different kinds of low carb diets that you can follow but one of the most effective of them all is the ketogenic diet. The keto diet combines the power of calorie restriction and the unique benefits of ketosis to help people to easily lose weight. Even if you’re following a different diet, there are several things that you can learn from the keto diet that can help you to lose weight in a healthy way. So here are some good keto diet tips that you can follow even if you’re not on the ketogenic diet.
5 Good Keto Diet Tips
1. Avoid Refined and Processed Carbs
With a keto diet, there’s really no need to go “zero-carb” except if you’re on a restricted ketogenic diet. You just need to maintain an optimal carb level to satisfy your appetite and make you feel good.
When it comes to eating carbs, refined and processed carbs must be avoided at all cost whether you’re on the keto diet or not. Eating a lot of these carbs is not good for you since they do not have the right nutrients that your body needs in order to stay healthy. These types of carbs are usually linked to an increased risk of various illnesses, including heart diseases, diabetes, and obesity. This is why every nutrition expert advise people against eating refined and processed carbs.
2. Eat More of The Right Kinds of Fats
You probably know that the ketogenic diet is a low carb, high-fat diet, which means that you can eat as many fats as you can. In fact, 70% of your caloric intake should come from fats. However, not all fats are the same, and when following a keto diet, you cannot just eat any kind of fat to reach the state of ketosis. They must be good fats that are incredibly healthy and nutritious.
Even if you’re not on keto, you can greatly benefit from eating a lot of healthy fats. In fact, healthy fats are important for any diet. It serves as insulation to keep your body warm and provides cushioning for your vital organs in order to keep them protected. Healthy fats also help to boost your immune system and helps to build muscles if you’re working out.
Related reading: Best Fats To Eat On A Low Carb Diet
3. Eat Plenty of Non-Starchy Vegetables
Vegetables are an essential part of a low carb diet, including keto. But some vegetables are loaded with starch and are therefore not ideal for keto. Non-starchy vegetables, on the other hand, are low in carbs and are suitable for a low carb diet.
Aside from the fact that non-starchy vegetables are low in carbs, they are also very healthy since they contain a good amount of vitamins and minerals, as well as other important nutrients, including phytochemicals. These vegetables are also a great source of dietary fiber, which helps in digestion and has been shown to lower cholesterol level.
Related reading: What Are the Best Low Carb Vegetables?
4. Try Adding Fermented Foods
Fermented foods are good for the keto diet because it can do wonders for your gut health. Some good examples are sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, and full-fat plain yogurt. The process of fermentation helps to lower the carb count of the food, which is why fermented foods are great for a low carb diet. During fermentation, bacteria will eat the carbohydrates found in food, which lessens the amount of carbs.
You can also include fermented foods in your diet even if you’re not on keto. Aside from the fact that these foods taste great, they also come with several health benefits. For one, eating fermented foods will introduce some beneficial bacteria to your digestive system and will help to balance out the bacteria present in your digestive system. This process is known as probiotics and has been shown to improve bowel health, immunity, and digestion.
5. Cook at Home More Often
One of the best things about going on a ketogenic diet or low carb diet is that you’ll be motivated to cook your own food at home. While it might seem like a little extra work, preparing your own meals comes with several benefits. Aside from helping you to save money, it’s also better for your health as you will be controlling what goes into your food.
You don’t really need to enroll yourself in a cooking class when you decide to cook your own food. There are hundreds of healthy low carb recipes and videos online that you can easily follow and will not take up a lot of your time.
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