You can make your Keto diet more interesting by adding in some new foods that are Keto-friendly. You can add these foods into your day without going over your carb limit, and they’ll provide a lot of variety to your otherwise boring diet. Here are 6 food swaps you can try!
1. Organic Broth
The organic broth is a great way to add flavour to your food while staying within your carb limit. It’s also a good source of protein and minerals. Look for brands that are low in sodium and MSG. The best bone broth will be made from grass-fed animals. Bone broth is an age-old remedy that has been used to provide relief from a variety of ailments. It’s made by simmering animal bones for hours in the water, which extracts collagen and other nutrients. The result is a rich liquid that can be drunk or cooked with rice or vegetables to make a nutritious meal. Bone broth contains many minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, and sulfur as well as amino acids such as proline and glycine. These are all important for building strong bones and joints as well as healing skin tissue wounds faster. In addition, bone broths contain chondroitin sulfate which helps reduce inflammation in the body while glucosamine supports healthy joint function.
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a great cooking oil to use on Keto. It has a high smoke point so it’s great for cooking, and is full of healthy fats. It also contains medium-chain triglycerides which are burned quickly by the body and provide an instant energy boost instead of sugar. As a result, they’re often used as a quick energy source during endurance exercise or in people who aren’t getting enough calories. Coconut oil has antibacterial properties that fight off pathogens such as bacteria and fungi – perfect for those on a Keto diet where your carb intake is low and you need to keep your immune system strong!
3. A variety of herbs & spices
Herbs and spices can be very useful when you’re following a Keto diet because they add flavour and variety with zero carbs. Some great herbs and spices to use include:
Ginger
Ginger is a great herb to help reduce inflammation and ease nausea. It also contains compounds called gingerols and shogaols which contain antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties.
Allspice
Allspice can be used as a replacement for nutmeg or cinnamon. You should use it sparingly though because it does contain carbs – 1/4 tsp only has 1g net carbs.
Garlic
Garlic is such an important part of our diet as it contains allicin which provides antioxidant, antifungal, antiviral, and antiparasitic benefits! Plus, garlic will help keep your immune system strong so you don’t get sick while increasing your carb intake!
Basil
Basil aids in digestion and can be used to treat nausea and upset stomach. It also helps fight tumors and bacterial infections in the body. Basil contains an ingredient called eugenol which has antifungal, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, and anticancer properties when consumed regularly.
4. Low Carb Tortillas
Low-carb tortillas are a great alternative for tortilla chips or taco shells! They taste just like regular tortillas but have a fraction of the carbs – about 2-3g per serving. Plus they’re gluten-free so it’s the perfect choice for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. You can use them as a wrap or add some cheese, sour cream, salsa, cilantro, guacamole, etc., and create delicious tacos and burritos! These low-carb tacos will taste just as good, if not better than your old favourite high-carb taco shells or wraps. And they’re so easy to make! All you need is three simple ingredients: eggs, shredded cheese, and cream of tartar (which can be found in the spice aisle). If you want to add some extra flavour, try adding chili powder or cumin for seasoning. The best part about these healthy Keto tacos is that they won’t bust your daily carb limit – one serving only has 3 grams of carbs and 2 grams of protein. It’s also important to note that these low-carb tortilla wraps maintain all their crispy taco shell qualities when baked in the oven, making them a convenient and fast alternative to tortilla shells that you can make at home with just a few simple ingredients.
5. Cheese
Cheese is a staple food for people on the keto diet. It’s full of fat and very low in carbs – most of which are from lactose (milk sugar) – but you still need to be careful about how much cheese you use as it contains protein as well as sodium and calcium. Look for hard cheeses such as parmesan or cheddar that have zero carbs per serving or around 1g net carbs per ounce. Blocks of cheese also work better because they’re easier to measure out specific amounts rather than just grabbing a handful from a baggie! It’s full of flavor and very versatile – you can add it to just about anything! Plus, the nutritional data for each serving size is well-known so it makes counting your carbs much easier. For instance, one ounce of cheddar only has 0.8g net carbs while one block of cheddar contains 6g net carbs (thank goodness in small quantities!). You can use these serving sizes in recipes or when snacking on cheese in moderation.
6. Lettuce Cups
Lettuce cups are another great way to enjoy meat and vegetables together without using a carb-heavy food like bread or tortilla shells. Lettuce cups can be used with all kinds of different ingredients, but some popular ones are chicken, pork, avocado, tomato, cucumber, sprouts, mushrooms, etc. You simply cook your protein of choice (e.g., tofu), chop up your veggies (e.g., cucumbers), top it off with some healthy fats (e.g., avocado), roll it in the lettuce leaves, and eat! Also, if you’re looking for a low-carbohydrate alternative to rice, quinoa, and other grains, lettuce cups make a great substitution! They provide volume and crunchiness while being low in carbs and calories.
Adding these new foods to your keto diet will help keep things interesting and prevent boredom from setting in. Not only are they all keto-friendly, but they also offer a variety of health benefits that can improve your overall well-being. So go ahead and give them a try – you won’t be disappointed!
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