Published by Programme B
After a year like 2020, you might be looking for ways to shed the quarantine 15 and reclaim your summer beach body. However, if you’re still hoarding treats and stashing snacks, it may be difficult to fit into your swimsuit this summer. In this case, a low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diet may be helpful. This eating plan can help you lose weight fast, but you must stick with it to effectively shift your metabolism and see results.
The following recipes will help you stay on track and add some variety to your summer menu so your whole family stays happy instead of hungry.
1. One-Minute Keto Pancakes
If you’ve grown tired of eating eggs and bacon for breakfast, try whipping up some flapjacks instead. As far as keto-friendly recipes go, it doesn’t get much better than these one-minute pancakes. While there are a few ways to make them, the quickest method involves using the microwave, which is the perfect solution on busy mornings. Plus, you can easily substitute sunflower seed flour for almond flour if you have a nut allergy. Drizzle ith keto maple syrup and dig in!
2. Cheeseburger Salad
Sure, you might not be able to sandwich a thick juicy burger between two pieces of bread while you’re on the keto diet, but you can have the next best thing: cheeseburger salad. This meal is just as delicious as your typical cheeseburger — if not more so — but we’ll let you be the judge of that. First, make your low-carb dressing. Then, add the lean beef mince to a pan and get cooking. Arrange the final product as you would a salad and enjoy.
3. Cauliflower Crust Pizza
Cauliflower crust isn’t anything new, but it sure is a lifesaver when you’re craving a keto-friendly pizza. This lighter, on-trend recipe uses parmesan to give the crust a deep flavor, which you can then complement with your favorite toppings. All you need is a food processor, a baking sheet and a few basic ingredients. Just remember to cook the crust for 15 to 20 minutes before adding your keto friendly sauce, cheese and toppings. Otherwise, your pizza might turn out soggy.
4. Lemon Butter Seared Salmon
If you’re looking for a tender, flavorful entree that requires few ingredients and little effort, this recipe is for you. Make lemon butter pan-seared salmon with seven ingredients and in less than 30 minutes. Simply season your salmon and add it to the skillet with the other ingredients. Flip the filet halfway through, sprinkle with dill and add a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving. Bon appetit!
5. Cobb Salad
Eggs are so central to the keto diet that there’s a whole fast dedicated to eating them. However, whether you try the fast or not, including eggs in your diet is a great way to boost your fat intake and reach ketosis. Boil a few and add them to a cobb salad with bacon, cheese and avocado. Then, use oil and vinegar or a low-carb bleu cheese dressing in place of ranch and other heavy dressings.
6. Green Smoothie Bowl
What’s better than a smoothie? A smoothie bowl, of course! This recipe is perfect for when you’re craving something satisfying and refreshing but don’t want to put in the extra effort to make a salad. Thanks to the all-powerful avocado, it also contains plenty of natural fat, unlike most green smoothies. Add some collagen protein powder and MCT oil to pack your bowl full of protein and even more healthy fats.
7. Buffalo Chicken Casserole
Enjoy a hearty meal and plenty of leftovers when you make this buffalo chicken casserole. Because it contains spaghetti squash, it’s naturally low carb and, by omitting the carrot, you can make it keto-friendly, too. Of course, baking the chicken and squash separately will increase your cook time. However, the whole meal should still come together in less than an hour and a half, and the short wait will be more than worth it when you taste the final product.
8. Smoky Spanish Beef Stew
Embrace the flavors of pimentos and olives in this smoky Spanish beef stew. With 27 grams of protein, 21 grams of fat, and just 9 grams of carbs per serving, this recipe is sure to be a big hit among low-carb dieters. First, cook your meat and vegetables. Then, add the rest of the ingredients to the pan to make the spicy broth. Allow the stew to simmer for about 40 minutes before adding the olives, olive oil, and parsley.
Branching Out
Whether you plan to follow the keto diet the entire summer or just a few weeks, the recipes above will serve you well. Maybe they’ll even inspire you to make low-carb versions of old family favorites. In this case, it’s totally ok to branch out and play with substitutions to create new flavors — or entirely new dishes — which could help you stick to a healthier diet long term.
Photo by Мария from Pexels