A Keto Diet Meal Plan and Menu

Ketogenic Diet Basics
The Keto diet, as a rule, is very low in carbs, high in fat and moderate in protein. When following a Ketogenic diet, carbs are typically reduced to under 50 grams per day, though stricter and looser versions of the diet exist.
Fats should replace the majority of cut carbs and deliver approximately 75% of your total calorie intake.
Proteins should account for around 20% of energy needs, while carbs are usually restricted to 5%.
Keto diets reduce hunger and increase satiety, which can be particularly helpful when trying to lose weight.
Ketogenic Diet Meal Plan
Keto-Friendly Foods to Eat
When following a Ketogenic diet, meals and snacks should center around the following foods:
· Pastured
· Organic whole eggs make the best choice.
· Chicken
· Turkey
· Wild-caught salmon
· herring
· mackerel
· Grass-fed beef
· venison,
· pork
· organ meats
· bison
· Yogurt,
· butter
· cream
· Cheddar
· mozzarella
· brie
· goat cheese
· cream cheese
· Macadamia nuts
· Almonds
· walnuts
· pumpkin seeds
· peanuts
· flaxseeds
· Natural peanut
· almond
· cashew butters
· Coconut oil
· olive oil
· avocado oil
· coconut butter
· sesame oil
· Whole avocados can be added to almost any meal or snack
· Greens
· Broccoli
· Tomatoes
· mushrooms
· peppers
· Salt
· Pepper
· Vinegar
· lemon juice
· Fresh herbs and spices
Foods to Avoid
Avoid foods rich in carbs while following a Keto diet.
The following foods should be restricted:
· White bread
· whole-wheat bread
· crackers
· cookies
· doughnuts
· rolls
· Sugar
· ice cream
· candy
· maple syrup
· agave syrup
· Coconut sugar
· Soda juice
· sweetened teas
· Sports drinks
· Spaghetti and noodles
· Wheat
· Rice
· Oats
· breakfast cereals
· tortillas
· Potatoes
· sweet potatoes
· butternut squash
· corn
· peas
· pumpkin
· Black beans
· chickpeas
· lentils
· Kidney beans
· Citrus
· Grapes
· bananas
· pineapple
· Barbecue sauce
· sugary salad dressings
· Dipping sauces
· Beer
· sugary mixed drinks
Though carbs should be restricted, low-glycemic fruits such as berries can be enjoyed in limited amounts as long as you’re maintaining a Keto-friendly macronutrient range.
Be sure to choose healthy food sources and steer clear of processed foods and unhealthy fats.
The following items should be avoided:
· Margarine
· shortening
· Vegetable oils such as canola and corn oil
· Fast food
· packaged foods
· processed meats such as hot dogs and lunch meats
· Foods that contain artificial colors, preservatives and sweeteners such as sugar alcohols and aspartame.
Keto-Friendly Beverages
Sugar can be found in a wide variety of beverages including juice, soda, iced tea and coffee drinks.
While on a Ketogenic diet, high-carb drinks must be avoided just like high-carb foods.
Keto-friendly beverage choices include:
· Water is the best choice for hydration and should be consumed throughout the day.
· Sparkling water can make an excellent soda replacement
· Try heavy cream to add flavor to your cup of joe.
· Green tea is delicious and provides many health benefits
A Sample Keto Menu for One Week
Ø Monday
Breakfast: Two eggs fried in pastured butter served with sautéed greens.
Lunch: A bunless grass-fed burger topped with cheese, mushrooms and avocado atop a bed of greens.
Dinner: Pork chops with green beans sautéed in coconut oil.
Ø Tuesday
Breakfast: Mushroom omelet.
Lunch: Tuna salad with celery and tomato atop a bed of greens.
Dinner: Roast chicken with cream sauce and sautéed broccoli.
Ø Wednesday
Breakfast: Bell pepper stuffed with cheese and eggs.
Lunch: Arugula salad with hard-boiled eggs, turkey, avocado and blue cheese.
Dinner: Grilled salmon with spinach sautéed in coconut oil.
Ø Thursday
Breakfast: Full-fat yogurt topped with Keto granola.
Lunch: Steak bowl with cauliflower rice, cheese, herbs, avocado and salsa.
Dinner: Bison steak with cheesy broccoli.
Ø Friday
Breakfast: Baked avocado egg boats.
Lunch: Caesar salad with chicken.
Dinner: Pork chops with vegetables.
Ø Saturday
Breakfast: Cauliflower toast topped with cheese and avocado.
Lunch: Bunless salmon burgers topped with pesto.
Dinner: Meatballs served with zucchini noodles and parmesan cheese.
Ø Sunday
Breakfast: Coconut milk chia pudding topped with coconut and walnuts.
Lunch: Cobb salad made with greens, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, cheese and turkey.
Dinner: Coconut chicken curry.
A Simple Ketogenic Shopping List
The following is a simple Ketogenic shopping list that can guide you when perusing the grocery aisles:
· Beef, chicken, turkey and pork (choose organic, pasture-raised options whenever possible).
· Fatty fish like salmon, sardines, mackerel and herring are best.
· Oysters, shrimp and scallops.
· Purchase omega-3-enriched or pastured eggs whenever possible.
· Unsweetened yogurt, butter, heavy cream and sour cream.
· Coconut and avocado oils.
· Buy a mixture of ripe and unripe avocados so that your supply will last.
· Brie, cream cheese, cheddar and goat cheese.
· Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries.
· Macadamia nuts, almonds, pecans, pistachios.
· Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds.
· Almond butter, peanut butter.
· Mushrooms, cauliflower, broccoli, greens, peppers, onions and tomatoes.
· Sea salt, pepper, salsa, herbs, garlic, vinegar, mustard, olives and spices.
The Bottom Line
The Ketogenic diet relies on a very low-carb routine. Carbs are typically restricted to under 50 grams per day, replaced mostly with fat and moderate amounts of protein.
A healthy Ketogenic diet should revolve around high-fat, low-carb food choices and restrict highly processed items and unhealthy fats. Keto-friendly beverage options must be sugar-free. Consider water, sparkling water or unsweetened green tea and coffee.
A Ketogenic meal plan, like any healthy diet, should include whole foods and many fiber-rich, low-carb vegetables. Choose healthy fats like coconut oil, avocado, olive oil and pastured butter to increase the fat content of dishes.
Keto-friendly snacks should be high in fat, moderate in protein and low in carbs. Increase your fiber intake by snacking on sliced, low-carb vegetables with a high-fat dipping sauce.
Preparing a shopping list can help you decide what foods will fit into your Ketogenic meal plan. Fill your cart with meat, poultry, eggs, low-carb veggies, full-fat dairy and healthy fats.