Happier
Healthier
Keto Lifestyle

Any time you start a new diet, there is a learning curve where it takes some time getting used to it, and the keto diet is no different.  For me, the Keto Diet pretty much turned everything I believed about eating healthy upside-down!  But it makes sense when you keep certain foods working together.  And, it did make me feel better!  I was able to get off my acid reflux medicine gradually over a three-four month period.  

There tend to be some common mistakes people make when they first start keto, but by knowing about them know, you can be sure to avoid them.

You Don’t Have to do this Alone

I was fortunate to have my Naturopath and four walking buddies who all (for different reasons) were trying the Keto Diet or supporting me in my journey.  If you don’t have a built in support system, I strongly recommend reaching out to a group with similar interests.   My friend Leanne Vogel, Healthful Pursuit has doctor approved programs and an amazing support system for women (regardless of WHY you are choosing Keto).  Learn more about her 12 week program here!  (Happy Keto Body™ )

Not Tracking Everything

The first thing you need to do when you are on the ketogenic diet is track absolutely everything you consume. A common mistake people make is assuming they know their carb amounts since they are eating a lot of low-carb foods, but are still going over those 20 net carbs a day. The only way to know for sure is to track your macros. This also helps you keep an eye on other macros like your protein, fat, sugar, and fiber. Don’t forget to also add in seasonings, oils, and flavorings as those sometimes contain carbs as well.

Failing to Add in Enough Veggies

While some people can do the keto diet without any vegetables, it is not recommended. You need your veggies for vitamins and minerals, particularly for fiber and reducing your overall protein levels.  What shocked me though, was the number of carbs in some of your favorite veggies.  But, veggies help to keep you full and can combat some of your cravings. Try to have at least one serving of vegetable a day, but preferably with each meal.  If you want to try Keto without vegetables read more here. 

Constantly Checking Your Ketones

 When you are on the keto diet, you are trying to get into ketosis. This is what allows you to lose weight as your body begins burning fat for fuel. Many people need to know they are in ketosis so they will use strips and other monitoring devices to check their ketones. There are many reasons your ketone levels might be off on certain days, so the stress it produces is really not worth it. Just stick to your 20 net carbs a day, focus on healthy eating with the right macros, and you should be just fine with staying in ketosis.

Eating Too Much of Something

 With any diet you are on, balance is key. Even on the ketogenic diet, you can have too much of a good thing. Focus on portion sizes and balance out your meals and snacks so that you are not constantly eating just one type of food all the time. There is a possibility you are eating too much of one fat, too much dairy, too much cheese. Try to mix up your meals and snacks, focusing on the overall nutrients as well as those net carbs.  Do you love coffee, like I do?  If yes, you need to watch this video to learn a 10 second tweak you can make every morning with your to fire up your metabolism and curb cravings. 

Failing to Prep and Plan

 Another common mistake people make is not planning ahead. Keto is one of those diet plans where you really need to keep track of everything you eat. This makes it hard to just grab something without knowing how many net carbs it contains. It is best that you plan all of your meals and snacks  ahead of time, and prep as much as you can so you aren’t grabbing for a high-carb convenience food just because you’re not sure what to eat.  Check out these snack ideas.