The ketogenic (keto) diet has grown in popularity over the last decade or so thanks to its many health benefits. The keto diet is a type of low-carb, high-fat diet that is used to switch the body from a carbohydrate-burning state to one of fat-burning.
Consuming fewer than 50 grams of carbohydrates can encourage the body to break down fatty acids for energy instead of glucose. This can promote weight loss and improved cognitive performance.
If you want to start following the ketogenic diet, you might be wondering which snacks are keto-friendly and which aren’t suitable. Knowing the best foods that you can eat to stay low-carb will make your life a lot easier as a keto follower!
In this article, we’ll give you a list of snacks that are appropriate as part of the keto diet and a list of foods that you should avoid.
What Snacks Can You Eat on the Ketogenic Diet?
Learning about the best low-carb snacks will help you to stay on track all year round, but it can be particularly helpful over the festive period. During Christmas, high-sugar snacks are everywhere and this makes it tough to stay within your daily carbohydrate limits.
Being on a ketogenic diet doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your favorite treats. It just means that you need to be a little more cautious and vigilant about what you’re putting into your body. You can also make your own low-carb desserts and snacks at home if you want keto-friendly versions of your favorite treats.
Here are some delicious snacks that are low in carbs and are, therefore, keto-friendly:
- Dark chocolate
- Sugar-free or low-sugar cookies
- Low-carb protein bars
- Whole or mashed avocado
- Kale chips
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Deli meats
- Cheese
- Natural yogurt
- Nuts and seeds
- Nut butter
- Keto coffee (coffee made with butter or ghee)
You can also bake your own keto-friendly treats at home. Find a keto Christmas cookies recipe or a low-sugar dessert to create for when you’re feeling peckish. Get the kids involved in the cookie baking process too for a day of family fun!
What Snacks Can You Not Eat on the Ketogenic Diet?
To stop yourself from going over your daily carbohydrate limit of around 50 grams, you’ll need to try and avoid high-carb (high-sugar) foods. The main foods to avoid as a keto follower are:
- Processed foods, like pastries, chips, cookies, cakes, candies, and chocolate bars
- Starchy gains, such as noodles, pasta, bread, and oats
- Starchy vegetables, like potatoes, parsnips, turnips, and swede
- High-sugar fruits, such as bananas, apples, and pears
- Beans and legumes of all kinds
- High-sugar dressings and sauces
- Sugary drinks, such as soda, energy drinks, and fruit juice
You can still consume the above foods and drinks but in very small amounts. If you find it easier to track your calorie and macronutrient intake using a tracking app or spreadsheet, feel free to do so. This will help you to stay well within your targets to keep your body in a ketogenic state.
