Keto Diet Menu: 7-Day Meal Plan for Beginners to Lose 10 LBS -Review

Keto Diet Menu: 7-Day Meal Plan for Beginners to Lose 10 LBS — Review The chances are that you have heard of the ketogenic diet. It is currently one of the most indemand diets for weight loss, and its popularity is only continuing to grow.

Followers of this diet rave about how the keto lifestyle has helped them lose weight and promote body fat loss.

Additionally, many individuals are adopting the keto diet for a variety of health benefits.

Research has shown that high-fat, low-carb diets, such as keto diets, may help improve certain conditions, including type 2 diabetes, epilepsy, and cognitive decline (1–3). The keto diet has also been linked to better blood sugar control, improvements in insulin levels, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and a decreased risk of heart disease (4–7).

Are you curious about the ketogenic diet for weight loss but are not sure where to start?

The following article will give you a comprehensive overview of this diet and provide a delicious keto meal plan to help you begin your weight loss journey.

What Is the Ketogenic Diet?

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The ketogenic diet, or keto for short, is a high fat, moderate protein, and low carb diet plan. For this weight loss program, you drastically reduce your carb intake while consuming higher amounts of fat and moderate amounts of protein.

The standard ketogenic diet typically limits carbohydrates to 5–10% of daily calorie intake, which equals about 25–50 grams of total carbs per day.

This reduction in carbohydrates forces the body into a metabolic state known as ketosis.

When you limit carbs in your diet, the body turns to fat as its primary fuel source versus glucose from carbohydrates. Fat is broken down into ketones by the liver, which can then be used for energy by your brain and body tissues.

By switching your metabolism into ketosis, your body becomes more efficient at burning fat, ultimately leading to weight loss.

How Do I Start a Keto Diet?

The basic principle of the keto diet is to reduce carbs while emphasizing fat intake during meals and snacks. A standard ratio of macronutrients (or macros) for the ketogenic diet is as follows: • • •

60 to 75% of calories from fat 15 to 30% of calories from protein 5 to 10% of calories from carbs

When following a keto plan to lose weight, roughly 5 to 10% of your daily calories should come from carbohydrates, which equates to fewer than 50 grams per day. Some individuals may be able to achieve ketosis when consuming 50 grams of carbs per day, while others may need to limit their carb count to as few as 20 grams.

However, counting carbs may become tedious and is not always necessary to achieve weight loss results on the keto diet. Overall, your goal should be to reduce carbs and eat more fat when following this approach. Generally, the lower your carb intake, the easier it is to reach and remain in ketosis.

FREE Plan Here ..What Can You Eat on a Keto Diet?

Beginning a keto weight loss diet may seem challenging at first since it requires eliminating certain foods due to their carbohydrate content.

However, you will find that many healthy and nutritious food choices are also low in carbs.

Below is a shortlist of low carb foods that you can include on your keto diet menu:

Meats and Protein The keto diet consists of a moderate amount of protein, which equals about 15% to 30% of your daily calories. This is because the body can convert some dietary protein to glucose, which makes it more challenging to remain in ketosis. However, this generally occurs when protein intake is higher than 35% of daily calories.

Since keto diets consist mainly of fats, you can feel free to choose fattier cuts of meat and protein. Some good protein options on the keto diet include: • • • • • •

Beef, preferably grass-fed when possible Seafood, including fish and shellfish Poultry, including chicken, turkey, and duck Pork Bacon Venison

Oils and Healthy Fats As previously mentioned, fats make up as much as 75% of your daily calories on the ketogenic diet. Some fats are better for your health than others. Examples of heart-healthy, high-fat foods include fatty fish, olives and olive oil, nuts and seeds, and avocados. Below is a list of healthy fats that are perfect for the keto diet: • •

Butter, from grass-fed cows, when possible Fatty fish, including salmon, tuna, mackerel, and trout

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Ghee Avocado oil Coconut oil Olive oil MCT oil Nut and seed oils, including walnut oil Nut butters, such as almond butter Heavy cream Full-fat, plain Greek yogurt (Be sure to double-check the nutrition label for added sugar) Full-fat cheeses Whipping cream Bacon

FREE Plan Here ..Low-Carb Vegetables Low-carb or non-starchy veggies are an important staple of any healthy diet, including the keto diet. These vegetables are lower in calories and packed with essential vitamins and nutrients, such as vitamin C and potassium.

Low-carb vegetables are also a good source of fiber, which is a type of carbohydrate that your body cannot digest or absorb. Due to their high fiber content, vegetables are lower in “digestible” or net carbs.

The net carbohydrates in a food item are calculated by subtracting the grams of fiber (aka the non-digestible materials) from the total grams of carbs. For example, one cup of eggplant has 5 grams of carbs and 2.5 grams of fiber, meaning that this vegetable has 2.5 grams of net carbs per serving.

However, keep in mind that this is not a perfect equation, and just because a food is lower in net carbs does not mean that it is carb-free. Therefore, it is still recommended to limit your intake of net carbs per day as part of the keto lifestyle change.

Low-carb vegetables to include on your keto diet menu are: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Bell peppers Broccoli Cauliflower Leafy greens (kale, spinach, collard greens, lettuce, and arugula) Celery Cucumbers Green beans Asparagus Fresh herbs (cilantro, dill, basil, etc.)

Tomatoes Hot peppers Mushrooms Zucchini Watercress Cabbage

Low-Carb Fruits FREE Plan Here ..

Fruits are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. However, some fruits are too high in carbs to work with the ketogenic diet.

The good news is that certain fruits can still be enjoyed as part of the keto diet, although you will want to be mindful of portions to remain in ketosis. Keto-friendly fruits to include on your meal plan are:

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Berries (blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries) Watermelon Lemons Peaches Cantaloupe Star fruit Avocados Tomatoes

Nuts and Seeds FREE Plan Here ..

Nuts and seeds make an excellent low carb food choice on the ketogenic diet and are packed with fiber, protein, and heart-healthy fats. Nuts and seeds also contain essential vitamins and minerals that many Americans don’t get enough of, including vitamin E, magnesium, selenium, phosphorus, and copper.

Nuts and seeds to include on your keto meal plan are: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Coconuts Almonds Pecans Brazil nuts Macadamia nuts Hazelnuts Pistachios Pine nuts Cashews Flax seeds Chia seeds Walnuts Nut butters (Be sure to read the nutrition labels for added sugars)

Dairy Products

Many followers of the keto meal plan love that cheese and other dairy products are encouraged as part of the keto diet. Dairy products are a good source of fat, protein, calcium, and phosphorus.

When choosing dairy products for your keto menu, be sure to select the full-fat versions and avoid skim and reduced-fat foods. You should also double-check the nutrition information labels because some dairy products, such as yogurt, may have added sugars or artificial sweeteners.

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Whole milk Heavy cream Butter, preferably from grass-fed cows Cheddar cheese Feta cheese Goat cheese Cream cheese Blue cheese Full-fat, plain Greek yogurt Unsweetened Kefir

Keto-Friendly Beverages

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Unfortunately, many popular drinks contain carbs and sugars, including juice, soda, and sweetened teas and coffees.

However, there are plenty of delicious, sugar-free beverage options that are perfect for the ketogenic diet. These include: •

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Water: Plain water remains the best option for hydration and should be consumed throughout the day. Try adding a squeeze of lemon or lime juice to your water for extra flavor.

Sparkling water: Sparkling water and sugar-free seltzers make an excellent alternative to both regular and diet soda.

Unsweetened coffee: Starting the keto diet does not mean that you need to sacrifice your morning cup of joe. Try enjoying your coffee black or with whole milk or heavy cream. Also, read up on bulletproof coffee!

Unsweetened tea, including black, herbal, and green teas Unsweetened milk alternatives such as almond milk and coconut milk Broth: Bone broth is higher in protein compared to other fluids and is a ketofriendly beverage.

Many alcoholic beverages are too high in carbs to work with the keto diet. However, some types of alcohol, such as tequila, rum, whiskey, and vodka, are lower in carbs and can be enjoyed in moderation. For example, tequila topped with sugar-free seltzer and lime juice is a keto-friendly drink that is great for special occasions.

What Can You NOT Eat on a Keto Diet?

As previously mentioned, carbs are heavily restricted on the ketogenic diet to help you remain in ketosis.

The following is a list of foods that are a source of carbohydrates: • • • • • • • • • •

Bread including white and whole wheat bread, rolls, tortillas, pita, and crackers Baked goods and dessert items such as cookies, cakes, ice cream, candy, and doughnuts Sweeteners and sugar such as maple syrup, coconut sugar, and honey Grains including pasta, rice, cereal, barley, and oats Starchy vegetables such as corn, peas, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, regular potatoes, butternut squash, and spaghetti squash Legumes and beans including black beans, chickpeas, lentils, and kidney beans Certain fruits including pineapple, citrus fruits, bananas, and grapes Sugary sauces and condiments: Salad dressings, dipping sauces, and barbecue sauce are often sources of hidden sugars and carbs.

Low-nutrition fats: Highly processed fats such as vegetable oils, canola oil, corn oil, shortening, and margarine should be used in moderation “Diet” foods or low-fat foods: Foods that contain the word “diet” or “low-fat” frequently have added sugars or sweeteners for flavor and should be avoided on the keto diet plan.

As with all diets, you may also want to limit your intake of highly processed junk foods.

These include fast food, packaged meals, and processed meats, to name a few. Diets high in processed foods have been linked to weight gain, obesity, and increased risk of certain health issues and diseases (8).

Below is a 7-day keto diet meal plan complete with keto meals and snacks. As with all meal plans, it is recommended that you individualize these recipes according to your daily carb allowance and to accommodate for any food intolerances or allergies.

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Adding keto snacks to your diet plan doesn’t have to be hard. Below is a list of some straightforward, keto-friendly snacks that will fit perfectly with any keto meal plan:

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Hard-boiled eggs with sea salt and black pepper A green spinach smoothie with avocado Mixed nuts with dark chocolate chunks Salted peanuts Raw almonds and cheddar cheese cubes Avocado filled with chicken salad Chocolate keto smoothie made with cocoa, unsweetened almond milk, and avocado Spicy guacamole with veggie sticks Cucumber slices topped with cheese Berries topped with whipped cream Bell peppers and celery dipped in cream cheese Beef jerky Cheese roll-ups Onion soup with bacon bits Handful of olives Mini “sandwich” rolls made with sliced turkey and cheese

A Simple Ketogenic Diet Shopping List

When planning your keto shopping lists, be sure to include plenty of low carb produce, heart-healthy fats, and moderate amounts of protein. Try using the following food list to help plan your keto recipes and make meal prep simple and easy.

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Meat and protein: Chicken, beef, pork, and turkey (Try to buy free-range, pastureraised, and/or organic when possible) Fish: Especially fatty fish like sardines, salmon, herring, and mackerel Shellfish: Oysters, scallops, clams, and shrimp Eggs Dairy: Heavy cream, full-fat yogurt (unsweetened), butter, and sour cream Cheese: Brie, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and goat cheese Heart-healthy oils: Olive, avocado, and coconut oil Low-carb fruits: Berries, avocados, lemons, limes, and olives Nut butters: Almond, peanut, and cashew butter Seeds: Sunflower, chia, and pumpkin seeds Nuts: Almonds, pistachios, pecans, and macadamia nuts.

Low-carb vegetables: Mushrooms, cauliflower, broccoli, leafy greens, tomatoes, peppers, and onions. Fresh, frozen, and canned (with no added sugars) are all good options.

Condiments: Herbs, spices and spice blends, vinegar, mustard, mayo, sea salt, pepper, garlic, and salsa. However, be sure to double-check the ingredients list for added sugars before purchasing.

Last Words

The standard ketogenic diet is a low carb, moderate protein, and high-fat diet that consists of 50 grams of carbs per day or less. You can accomplish this by restricting your carbohydrate intake and emphasizing a high-fat diet.

Many people are turning to the ketogenic diet to help them lose weight and improve their health. Research studies have shown that high fat, low carb diets, such as the keto diet, may help with weight loss, especially during the first six months of dieting (5). However, as with any weight loss program, it only works if you can stick with it for the long run.

To set yourself up for success, try to focus on foods that are naturally high in fat and/ or low in carbs. These include eggs, meats, cheeses, and non-starchy vegetables. Foods that are moderate in carbs, like berries, dark chocolate, and certain alcoholic beverages, can be enjoyed on keto meal plans in moderation.

FREE Plan Here ..

While the transition to a low carb diet may seem like a challenge at first, there are steps that you can take to make going keto easy and enjoyable. Try following the 7-day keto diet menu and using the keto-friendly shopping list as a guide to get started on your ketogenic diet journey.