Anything new can be overwhelming when first starting out but finding healthy keto diet tips for beginners may be exactly what you need. The key is planning ahead and most importantly, being kind to yourself.
You’re ready for a change and it’s time to do something about that. You’ll encounter challenges and questions that you’ll have to figure out – but you can and will if you stick with it. Don’t get ahead of yourself, take time and learn about the keto diet and keto tips for beginners. You can do this!
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I’m just like you and I wanted a change. For me, it was weight loss and a healthy way of eating and especially the way I was looking at food vs the way I felt about myself. The balance and kindness were off. Are you here for keto tips for beginners, keto tips for success, a little motivation or maybe a new beginning? Only you can answer that, but I hope the following keto tips and tricks are helpful to you!
This post is all about 11 healthy keto tips for beginners.
Back to Basics – Keto Tips for Beginners
1. Create a Simple Keto Diet Plan
This isn’t about moving mountains in a day and becoming so overwhelmed that you give up the next day. Have you done that before? Here’s the first keto tip and it’s something you’ve heard plenty of times before from motivational guru’s. But, they are on to something. DON’T STOP BEFORE THE MIRACLE. And, the best way to keep going is to take your time and build that momentum and knowledge. The first thing I did was channel my inner middle schooler and I bought a diary. Yup, I just wrote that as a grown ass adult. A diary. Do it, get one and jot down just a few feelings or questions each day. You don’t have to write a novel, just a few things.
Maybe this is a bit “much” for you, but I like to have a sense of humor with myself. There are many notebook options for you to check out. When I started, I wrote down my first weight loss goal, I weighed in each day and wrote a little blurb about how I felt. It really helped me to look back on the tough days – especially when I made it through without cheating.
My first goal was 32.6 pounds and I wrote down a little blip each day. I know weight fluctuates from day to day but watching the number move and reading what I was feeling even a week later is a keto tip that I still do today.
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2. Super Simple Keto Tip: Lazy Keto Diet Plan
If you’re thinking about keto, you know that you will restrict carbs. Maybe that’s all you know at this point. The lazy keto diet plan is an excellent start. The first rule is to limit your carbs to 25 – 50 grams per day. Don’t worry about all the macros and calories. Start by reducing carbs and ease into the learning process.
{RELATED POST: Take the easy route. Check out: 3 Quick Steps; Learn The Lazy Keto Diet And Lose Weight This Week}
3. Remove Non-Keto Temptation
According to Dr. Josh Axe, there are 3 keys to the keto diet.
- Cut Grains
- Add Healthy Fats
- Food Swaps
Let’s focus on #1 right now. Yes, grains. Goodbye to sugar (don’t freak out just yet!). And, au revoir to nearly all processed foods. We won’t get ahead of ourselves, don’t forget #3. Food swaps. As I write this, I’ve just finished shoveling spinach and artichoke dip into my face with easy homemade crackers. You’re going to be ok! I pinky promise.
Here’s a list of items to remove from your temptation driven fingers (:
SUGAR
- White, brown, cane, raw and confectioner’s sugar
- Syrups
- Honey & agave
- Any food made with sugars like fructose, glucose, maltose, dextrose and lactose
GRAINS
- Wheat, oats, and all rice
- Corn and all corn products (sorry popcorn and tortilla) {NOT SORRY LOW CARB TORTILLA WRAPS – these are so good!}
- All products made with flour like bread, bagels, rolls, muffins, and pasta
I know, I know. This is an adjustment. Don’t give up yet! And, remember – the lazy keto diet will help you ease into this lifestyle.
4. Plan Your Keto Meals and Snacks; Best Keto Tip For Beginners!
I feel like I just broke your spirit with what you can’t have. But there are so many yummy things you can have. Your first real success will be felt after a few days, or even give it a week, of trying new ways to fuel your body and brain.
This was a fun step for me. I think you’ll like it, too. Grab that new notebook and start working on a shopping list. I didn’t think I was going to eat every single meal, but I wanted to be prepared. I suggest your keto / low carb shopping list follows the following food categories:
Breakfast
Snack
Lunch
Snack
Dinner
Snack
Do you need to eat all of them? Nope. But do you want to know what’s available to you if you want them all? Yup!
You can go online and search and search, but I think it’s easiest to write down things you like. For example, I like eggs and I wanted to be full and not need a snack before lunch. So, I found a recipe and basically made it each morning just to make it simple. Here’s a video of a very filling breakfast. Ignore the Jameson. Spoiler Alert: you CAN enjoy adult beverages on keto.
Compile of list of things you know you like to eat and snack on, then search Google and Pinterest for keto or low carb versions and make that grocery list!
5. Stock That Keto Kitchen
How did that research go for you? Have you replaced the naughty foods with ones that will keep you on track? Here’s a picture of those homemade crackers and TGI Friday’s Artichoke and Spinach Dip I had. Do you want the cracker recipe?
While 4 are shown there, please be advised that I inhaled many, many more. And, I’m still on goal today. Yay!
Are you starting to get excited? You should be! What are your favorite snacks?
6. Keto School; Learn More
So, you’re starting to get the basics down. You know what to avoid on a low carb / keto diet, you’ve made your list and stocked the kitchen. What’s next on the learning agenda?
Healthy. Let’s talk healthy. After all, it’s not just about weight loss. You want to look and feel great, too – correct? There are 3 easy categories to explore next.
- Pay attention to calories. Did you download a keto tracking app and figure out how many calories you need each day? I use the Carb Manager App on my phone. Download it from the app store or check out the details on your desktop here.
- Pay attention to the amount of protein you’re consuming. Our bodies are a little tricky and can convert too much protein to glucose for fuel which is a big no-no. You’ve already checked out a keto calculator, right? These will tell you how many calories / carbs / fats you can have.
- Focus on whole foods, not processed foods and keto snacks. You can have healthy fats like avocados, olives, almonds, chia, and flaxseed. You should be buying grass-fed beef and wild-caught fish. Enjoy that pastured butter and spinach, kale, broccoli, and asparagus. There are so many whole foods that are great for you and your body will love you for it. Begin researching what you should be enjoying.
{RELATED POST: But, when you need a snack. Check out: Good Low Carb Snacks}
7. #1 Important Keto Tip For Beginners
Water. You need water. I have this gallon jug that is filled each night. Most days I drink it all. It’s more of a habit thing that you need to get into.
A keto diet makes water retention go down and you must replace that so you’re not dehydrated. Dehydration makes you cranky pants. You may experience headaches, fatigue, and an overall grumpy state. We don’t want that. Drink your water! Bonus Tip: water fills that belly, too. I was less hungry when I was on top of my water game.
8. Support From Your Friends During The Keto Diet Transition
This one seems simple, but you may have to update your friends and set a few boundaries for the beginning. If you watched that keto breakfast TikTok I made, you know that I like a drinky poo. When I first started, I knew I could be good during the week, but I would blow my progress during the weekends.
Tell your friends that you’re starting something new and you need their support by not asking you out for a weekend or two. They will understand, and you will benefit from the time that you stick to your new goals.
Also, include your friends or find others who have tried something new and lean on them when you need help. Lean on me – send an email. I’ll respond with whatever I can do to help and encourage you. Your health and happiness matters!
But, don’t worry if you cheat. It’s not a fail unless you don’t start again. This is life and things happen. You fall? You get back up. Keep going. Don’t stop before the miracle!
9. Keep Learning
Go back through your brand new diary or think about how you’ve felt over the past week. What’s not clicking or working? What is? Learn more in areas that are troublesome and repeat in areas that are working. If you’ve been following the Lazy Keto Diet, now may be time to start working on following calories, fats, proteins, and carbs? Test this out for another week and record those results. Especially record how you’re feeling. You will definitely feel changes in your patterns as your body detoxes from processed sugary foods.
Keep learning even if you’re struggling. This book helped me immensely. I don’t know where you are on your journey, but does this resonate with you? “You can’t lose 10, 20, 30 pounds and keep it off until you first focus on losing your limiting beliefs, negative thoughts, and emotional baggage. Think about it. The same person who created the mess you’re in (you) is trying to get you out….You need to change your mindset”. This book by Jay Nixon is a quick read and it’s so powerful. I highly recommend it.
10. Another Important Keto Tip For Beginners – You Do You!
Be kind to yourself during your low-carb shift. This is a big deal. You’re a big deal. Do you but keep pushing forward. Even if it’s just one thing a day. This isn’t about moving mountains in a day and becoming so overwhelmed that you give up the next day.
11. What Keto Tip Am I Missing For You?
If you’ve made it this far and followed along with what you are going to do, something must have come up that I haven’t touched on here. Whatever that is IS your #11 Healthy Keto Tip For Beginners. What is it? Whatever it is, do it! I’m so excited for you and cheering you on!
This post was all about healthy keto tips for beginners.
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