The keto diet is one of the most well-known methods of weight loss these days, and for a good reason. The ultra-low-carb diet takes a unique approach to weight loss and overall health, although preparing meals that suit the nutritional profile can be daunting. Fortunately, meal kit services have taken notice, and there are options available for every type of diet, including keto.
Here we’ll look at the specifics of the ketogenic diet, the pros and cons, and how a meal kit service can help you reach your dietary goals.
What is a Keto Diet?
A ketogenic, or keto, diet involves cutting back on carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are what our bodies use for energy, but we also often store way more than we need. And in people who have blood sugar problems, too many carbohydrates can mean additional health issues down the line.
A ketogenic diet focuses on cutting carbohydrates down while maintaining high-fat levels and adequate protein levels. Instead of burning carbohydrates, your body begins to burn fat stores. This achieves a metabolic state called ketosis, hence the name of the diet.
Ketosis is a natural metabolic state, so the keto diet takes advantage of the body’s natural tendency to work with what it’s fed. While a strategic balance of nutrients is critical with this diet, it can lead to weight loss while retaining muscle.
Often, people with diabetes or other health conditions turn to this low-carbohydrate diet to try and manage high blood sugar, among other issues. In general, people often try to cut carbs when losing weight, so the keto diet appears ideal for this purpose.
Benefits of a Keto Diet
When you consume the proper balance of nutrients on the keto diet, the following benefits are possible:
- Improved cholesterol
- Lower blood pressure
- More balanced blood sugar
- Reduced appetite
- Faster weight loss
- Lower triglycerides
Of course, as with any diet, consuming adequate calories and nutrition is vital for maintaining your overall health. If you follow a keto diet healthfully, you might find that your blood pressure lowers, your cholesterol levels improve, and you may even be able to lose weight more effectively.
Cons of a Keto Diet
Because the keto diet often involves extreme carb cutting, there are risks involved, especially if you are new to the diet or follow it improperly. Potential pitfalls of the ketogenic diet include:
- Fatigue
- Excessive thirst
- Hunger
- Excessively low blood sugar
Like with all diets, you need to pay special attention to your nutrient intake with the keto diet. Consuming enough water is also important with this diet, as is listening to your body to detect potential health problems.
How Can a Meal Kit Service Help You Get on Track with a Keto Diet?
Because the keto diet can feel very restrictive, it’s essential to find the right foods which help you feel full but also fulfill your nutritional needs. Keeping your body in ketosis requires a somewhat delicate balance, so a prepared meal kit eliminates a lot of the guesswork involved with keto recipes.
A low-carb meal kit provides you with the right balance of flavors and ingredients to ensure you remain in ketosis while also feeling full and enjoying your food. Because hunger is a common drawback to this diet, you’ll want to make sure you’re eating meals that provide plenty of protein and high fat.
Pre-packaged meal kits accommodate these unique parameters, so instead of searching for recipes online and seeking out specialized ingredients, you only need to open the kit and start cooking. Nutritional information is also readily available, so you know exactly how many carbohydrates are in each meal.
Not every meal kit is in line with the keto diet parameters, but many other low-carb options have suitable menu items; select your favorites that suit your carbohydrate needs, and you’ll be ready to start cooking in no time.
Best Meal Kit Services for a Keto Diet
Although it can be challenging to start and stick with a keto diet, our experts have researched and compared all the top low-carb meal kit options that make it easier.
