The Top 8 Foods for The Ketogenic Diet

1. Wild salmon

First on our list we have wild salmon, which in itself is a superfood whether you follow keto or not.

• Wild salmon is packed full of healthy omega 3 fatty acids and oils which provide countless benefits for the body.
• The fatty acids found in salmon help to boost brain power and cognitive function, helping to ensure that the brain is fit and healthy.
• They also help lower dangerous LDL cholesterol, they help boost testosterone production, they help to strengthen the immune system and major organs, and they act as a great source of fuel for the body.
• Wild salmon is the perfect keto diet food as it is virtually free from carbs and is high in protein and healthy fats.
• It is a very anabolic food so it's great for people looking to build and preserve muscle mass through this diet.

If you can't get wild salmon, farmed is still healthy, but wild should always be prioritized whenever possible, as it is so much healthier and tastier.

2. Eggs

Eggs are another staple on ketogenic diets, and not just for breakfast either.

• Eggs, and that includes the yolks, are rich in healthy fats, proteins, minerals, and amino acids.
• In fact, whole eggs are the only food source out there that can boast a complete essential and non-essential amino acid profile. In simple terms, this means that eggs provide every amino acid required by the body, whether the body can synthesize them naturally or not.
• 1 egg contains around 5g of protein, so 2 or 3 will have you well on your way to your daily protein macro requirements.
• Remember, as we're talking about keto diet foods however, you need to also remember the yolk, which contains metabolism-boosting healthy fats that also taste great.

For the ultimate breakfast, why not pair scrambled eggs and smoked salmon up with the next food on our list…

3. Avocados

Avocados are a high fat, high calorie healthy fruit that keto dieters can't seem to get enough of.

• Avocados are rich in dietary fiber, which promotes digestive health and well-being. What's more, they're also rich in vitamins, C, K, and D as well as minerals including potassium.
• Studies have also revealed that avocados can help to regulate LDL cholesterol levels, and blood triglyceride levels, which basically means that they can help keep unhealthy fats in the blood to a minimum.
• Avocados apparently help to reduce unhealthy LDL cholesterol levels, while boosting healthy HDL cholesterol.
• Avocados are known as 'nature's butter' because they're so rich and creamy, making them a very versatile fruit.
• How to Make Keto Avocado Brownies
• 5 Beauty Benefits of Avocados

4. Meat

We won't talk about each individual type of meat because we don't have time, so we'll talk about them all here instead. Meat, whether it's chicken, turkey, lamb, beef, venison, rattlesnake, Kangaroo, rabbit, or anything else, is extremely beneficial to people on keto.

Chicken for example, is very lean and high in protein, which is great if your previous meals have been unusually high in healthy fats.

Grass-fed beef however, tends to have more fat on it and so it's a great source of healthy fat as well as protein. It is also rich in minerals like zinc and iron, which respectively boost the immune system and help assist with haemoglobin production and circulation in the body. This makes it great for oxygen and nutrient transportation, along with red blood cell formation.

White meats are generally leaner, whereas red meats contain more fats and different minerals. Ideally your keto diet foods list should include a wide variety of red and white meat from different sources.

5. High fat dairy

High fat dairy, excluding milk as it isn't keto-friendly due to its lactose content, is another great example of keto diet foods that taste great.

You see, cheese, grass-fed butter, and cream, are all rich in heart-healthy fats that lower LDL cholesterol and regulate blood triglycerides. They also contain healthy amounts of proteins, amino acids, and minerals.

What's more, dairy such as cheese goes very well with a wide range of foods, so whether you want to spruce up your omelette, or simply throw together a cream cheese sauce to go with your fish, make sure you stock up on plenty of fairy. Again, if possible, always go with grass-fed dairy.

6. Green leafy vegetables

Some vegetables are rich in starchy carbohydrates and naturally-occurring fructose sugars, that can potentially knock you out of keto. Green leafy vegetables however, are low in all forms of carbohydrates and are crammed full of healthy nutrients.

• Spinach for example, is a great source of vitamins C, and K, which boost immunity, help regulate hormone levels, help promote a healthy heart and circulatory system.
• It is also full of minerals such as zinc and iron which improve circulation, athletic performance, and more besides.
• Green leafy vegetables are also rich in antioxidants, which help to protect our cells from damage via oxidation and can therefore help fight the signs of aging and prevent more serious illnesses and diseases such as cancer.

When following a keto diet, micronutrients such as vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, are all very important, which is why you need to make sure that you're consuming plenty of fresh vegetables. They promote general health and well-being, and the healthier you are, the easier you will find the diet.

7. Coconut oil

Oils like olive oil are very good for you, but in terms of health and well-being, coconut oil is simply in a league of its own.

• Coconut oil is rich in MCTs, or medium chain triglycerides, which the body utilizes as an instant source of energy. This means that coconut oil provides an instant burst of energy, rather than being stored as fat.
• Coconut oil has been proven to reduce dangerous cholesterol levels, making it a very heart-healthy oil.

It also tastes amazing and has a high smoking point, so it can withstand high temperatures.

8. Nut butters

Nut butters, apart from peanuts, are another luxurious treat on keto that keto dieters can't seem to get enough of. Nut butters such as almond nut butter or cashew nut butter, are rich, creamy, high in healthy fats, a good source of protein and amino acids, and they taste great.

Providing you choose natural nut butters with no added salt, sugar, oils, or flavourings, you can enjoy a rich and delicious treat without the guilt. There's a reason why nut butters are one of the top keto diet foods, so get to the stores and get stocked up.

References: 1, 2, 3
Article by gainsmadness.com

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