Five Simple Ideas To Stick To Keto Diet Even In The Holiday Season

Introduction

If you are on a keto diet and getting great results with it, you may be a bit worried as the holiday season approaches. The biggest challenge would be to stay true to your daily carb count without missing out on the festive indulgence.

The last thing you would want to do would be losing out on the months of hard work, which can happen easily when there are so many temptations around. At the same time, you would want to relish the festive delights that come around only once a year.

The entire situation can be daunting. Since you are allowed a limited value of carbohydrates a day, it is natural to get confused about the food choices, and you may also have to skip many of your festive favorites.

Fortunately, it is possible to stick to your plan and still relish the delicacies if you choose the right foods and follow some simple instructions.

Here are some actionable ideas to survive the festive season, even as you are limited to a keto-friendly diet.

Steer clear of hidden carbs

When it comes to holiday meals, you need to scratch beneath the surface. Beware of hidden carbs because they can topple your diet plan without a warning. For example, turkey may be great for keto, but it can go all wrong if doused in gravy as it is made with flour. You need to be extra careful with fruits and vegetables as well because the way they are cooked can change the carb count significantly. Apart from these deceiving food choices, there are some you should specifically avoid. These include starchy vegetables, grains, legumes, certain dairy products, cocktails, and sweet drinks.

Pick your favorite carbs

While it is important to stay away from the wrong carbs, sticking with your favorites is equally vital. After all, you have to adhere to a limit, and it makes sense to spend your net carbs wisely. For example, eat a roll only if you love bread, otherwise opt for a pie or potatoes. Measure the serving sizes carefully and enjoy every bite because it will ensure that you never have too much. Also, include alcohol in your total carb count. It is best to opt for hard alcohol rather than beer because hard drinks are carb-free. Avoiding sugary holiday drinks and cocktails will also keep you on the safe side. Making the right choices means that you can enjoy the season without crossing your permissible carbohydrate limits.

Have keto-friendly options on the table

If you are seriously concerned about breaking keto, bringing safe dishes on the table is the best thing to do. It would be easy to manage if you are the host, but you can always carry along a dish to a party as a favor for everyone. Thankfully, there are plenty of options if you are looking for healthy food for weight loss with a keto program. A simple salad with olive oil is a good choice, while you may also serve broth-based soups with leafy green vegetables. Switch to cauliflower instead of potatoes and cook no-sugar fruit-based desserts. Just count your carbs, and you can indulge without worrying about breaking your keto.

Keep the holiday meals simple this year

Although festive meals are meant to be lavish, the best advice would be to keep them simple this year if you are following a ketogenic diet. You can safely stick to meats like beef, turkey and salmon and combine them with green veggies. However, be cautious of dressings and sauces as they are likely to contain non-compliant ingredients and added sugar. Preparing your own sauces with safe stuff like mayo, olive oil or blended avocado is a good idea. You can add complex flavors with fresh or dried herbs.

Focus on non-food activities

Even as eating right may be the main concern for those who want to enjoy the season while staying true to keto, it isn’t everything. You can still make the holidays special by focusing on non-food activities. There are family traditions you can follow, while you may also start some new ones this year. Cooking and serving healthier meals is a good one, and the best part is that they can be as tempting as the ones laden with oil and sugar. You can even try playing a sports game this season as this new tradition will support your weight loss goals. Remember that holidays are all about being grateful for your loved ones rather than food.

Conclusion

Following a healthy keto diet while you enjoy the festive season is possible, provided that you are conscious about your dietary choices. A little preparation can take you a long way. Consider doing some research on safe ingredients and recipes so that you have perfect options as you host parties or drop in with a dish at one.

About Theresa Duncan

Originally from Detroit, MI, Theresa has been offering health and fitness advice for the last 30 years while working as an engineer. She decided to turn her passion into a profession, and finds nothing more satisfying than helping others reach their health and fitness goals.