So you’ve chosen to start the keto diet! We’re sure you’ve already recognized that there is so much to learn about this new lifestyle. The amount of information out there can be intimidating and overwhelming when you try to digest it all at once. Trust us, we’ve been there too. We want to help you ease into this decision, so we’ve compiled a list of five tips that will help your diet go smoothly. Let’s dive in!

Make a meal plan! 

You are more likely to follow your diet when you have a plan for each meal, including snacks. Especially at first, you may feel like you have nothing to eat because your regular food options aren’t available. However, you’ll learn to adapt! Take desserts for example (we know a thing or two about those). Going on the keto diet doesn’t mean that you’ll never eat a cookie again, it just means you may need to adjust some ingredients and branch out with your recipes! You’ll learn that some things are just better when made from scratch. 

Understand the potential side effects and how to combat them. 

Depending on your previous eating habits, switching to the keto diet may be a major dietary shift. Regardless, your body will recognize the change in diet and there may be side effects that you should be aware of. For example, one potential side effect is what is known as the ‘keto flu’ which usually occurs within a week of someone starting the keto diet. Despite its name, the keto flu is not the real flu; it’s actually a combination of flu-like symptoms. The best remedies include drinking water and getting enough rest.

Inform close family members about your diet.

When making a major lifestyle change like joining the keto diet, you will want the support of close family members. While they shouldn’t be forced to follow your diet, they can still encourage you to make healthy eating decisions. Logistically, you may be purchasing different kinds of food than you were before. It may be necessary to discuss which foods in the house are available for each person to eat. However, if you’re looking for a yummy treat to share, we recommend trying out some of our dessert options! Diet or no, everyone is sure to love them.

Be aware of your calorie consumption. 

Limiting calories is not necessarily a requirement of the keto diet, but it does sometimes happen when a person starts limiting their food groups. It is important to stay within the recommended calorie range for your body. Even if you are following the keto diet to lose weight, your body needs calories to be healthy and continue functioning correctly. If you have questions about how many calories you need in a day, consider consulting a registered dietician. 

Drink lots of water.

We mentioned water before, but it’s important enough that it’s worth talking about twice. As with any change that your body goes through, it needs lots of water to function properly. Many people have experienced some level of dehydration when beginning the keto diet, which is easily preventable by drinking water. Additionally. you may also want to consider increasing your electrolyte intake, as your body will be in need of those essential nutrients as well. 

Choosing to follow any diet is a big decision, especially keto. There may be some bumps along the road, but in the long run, your body will thank you for living a healthier lifestyle. So do the best you can, and don’t be too hard on yourself. Our best advice is to take your decisions one meal at a time. You got this! Welcome to the keto community!