The Keto Diet: 7-Day Menu and Comprehensive Food List – Everyday Health

Looking to lose weight? Keto is one of the biggest diet fads out there today. But first, learn what you can and can’t eat with this comprehensive food list and meal plan.
If you’re looking to get a jump start on your health and fitness goals this year, you may be thinking about trying the ketogenic diet. Maybe you’ve heard the phrase before — it’s a huge diet buzzword — but aren’t sure what it means. Here’s a primer: The ketogenic diet is an eating plan that drives your body into ketosis, a state where the body uses fat as a primary fuel source (instead of carbohydrates), says Stacey Mattinson, RDN, who is based in Austin, Texas.
When you’re eating the foods that get you there (more on that in a minute), your body can enter a state of ketosis in one to three days, she adds. During the diet, the majority of calories you consume come from fat, with a little protein and very little carbohydrates. Ketosis also happens if you eat a very low-calorie diet — think doctor-supervised, medically recommended diets of 600 to 800 total calories per day.
Recipe by @thelowcarbcontessa Video by @lisathompson
For the crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 x 8 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2 inch overhang on two sides.
Add King Arthur Baking Keto Wheat Flour, walnuts, butter, King Arthur Baking Sugar Alternative, salt, and egg to the bowl of your food processor and pulse until the dough comes together to form a ball.
Press dough evenly into your prepared pan. Bake until a light golden brown, and just set, approximately 14 to 16 minutes. Cool completely.
For the cheesecake batter: Add cream cheese and sour cream to the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix until smooth. Add King Arthur Baking Sugar Alternative, vanilla, orange zest, and orange juice stir on low until thoroughly combined. Next, add eggs one at a time until completely incorporated. Be careful not to overly mix the batter.
Transfer half of the batter to a separate bowl and stir in the cinnamon.
Alternate scoops of plain batter and cinnamon batter over the cooled crust, creating a checkerboard pattern, until all the batter is used. Gently tap the pan on the counter to release air bubbles and to even out the batter. Next, using a toothpick or cake tester, swirl the two batters.
Bake the cake for approximately 35 to 40 minutes, until the edges are just set, and the center still has a bit of jiggle when gently shaken. Place the cake on a cooling rack, and allow it to cool completely. Once cooled, cover it lightly with foil and place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight, before slicing into 16 bars.
For the praline walnut: Add butter to a saucepan and melt over medium heat.
Add the King Arthur Baking Sugar Alternative and stir to combine. Add the heavy cream, cinnamon, salt, vanilla, and molasses, and stir until thoroughly combined. Add the walnuts to the pan, stir until well coated.
Turn heat to medium-low and continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes stirring often, being careful not to burn.
Pour mixture onto a parchment-lined pan or plate and allow to cool completely. Once cooled, break into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
For the whipped cream: Add all ingredients to a medium-sized bowl, and using a hand or stand mixer, beat until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overbeat or the mixture will become lumpy.
Spoon or pipe the whipped cream onto the cheesecake bars, top with some of the praline walnuts, and garnish with fresh orange zest (optional) .
Before you dive in, it's key to know the possible benefits and risks of keto.
Research backs up undertaking a ketogenic diet in three circumstances: to aid treatment of epilepsy, to help manage type 2 diabetes, and to support weight loss, says Mattinson, and the last two purposes still need more studies. “In terms of diabetes, there is some promising research showing that the ketogenic diet may improve glycemic control. It may cause a reduction in A1C — a key test for diabetes that measures a person’s average blood sugar control over two to three months — something that may help you reduce medication use,” she says.
But for people with diabetes, one big concern is you're eating a lot of fat on keto, and that fat may be saturated, which is unhealthy when eaten in excess. (The much higher total fat intake is also a challenge among keto beginners.)
Because people with type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, there’s a specific concern that the saturated fat in the diet may drive up LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol levels, and further increase the odds of heart problems. If you have type 2 diabetes, talk to your doctor before attempting a ketogenic diet. She may recommend a different weight loss diet for you, like a reduced-calorie diet, to manage diabetes. Those with epilepsy should also consult their doctor before using this as part of their treatment plan.

In terms of weight loss, you may be interested in trying the ketogenic diet because you’ve heard that it can make a big impact right away. And that may be true. “Ketogenic diets will cause you to lose weight within the first week,” says Mattinson. She explains that your body will first use up all its glycogen stores (the storage form of carbohydrate). With depleted glycogen, you’ll drop water weight. While it can be motivating to see the number on the scale go down (often dramatically), do keep in mind that most of this is water loss initially.


One downside to the ketogenic diet for weight loss is that it's difficult to maintain. “Studies show that weight loss results from being on a low-carb diet for more than 12 months tend to be the same as being on a normal, healthy diet,” says Mattinson. While you may be eating more satiating fats (like peanut butter, regular butter, or avocado), you’re also way more limited in what’s allowed on the diet, which can make everyday situations, like eating dinner with family or going out with friends, far more difficult. Because people often find it tough to sustain, it’s easy to rely on it as a short-term diet rather than a long-term lifestyle.
RELATED: Keto Made Me Thinner — Here’s Why I Quit the Diet
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Before starting, ask yourself what is really realistic for you, Mattinson suggests. Then get your doctor’s okay. You may also work with a local registered dietitian nutritionist to limit potential nutrient deficiencies and talk about vitamin supplementation, as you won’t be eating whole grains, dairy, or fruit, and will eliminate many veggies. “A diet that eliminates entire food groups is a red flag to me. This isn’t something to take lightly or dive into headfirst with no medical supervision,” she says.
If you’ve decided to move forward in trying the keto diet, you will want to stick to the parameters of the eating plan. Roughly 60 to 80 percent of your calories will come from fats. That means you’ll eat meats, fats, and oils, and a very limited amount of nonstarchy vegetables, she says. (This is different from a traditional low-carb diet, as even fewer carbs are allowed on the keto diet.)
The remaining calories in the keto diet come from protein — about 1 gram (g) per kilogram of body weight, so a 140-pound woman would need about 64 g of protein total. As for carbs: “Every body is different, but most people maintain ketosis with between 20 and 50 g of net carbs per day,” says Mattinson. Total carbohydrates minus fiber equals net carbs, she explains.
One thing to remember: “It’s easy to get ‘kicked out’ of ketosis,” says Mattinson. Meaning, if you eat something as small as a serving of blueberries, your body could revert to burning carbohydrates for fuel rather than fat.
Get More Keto Diet Meal Prep Tips
One state is natural and generally harmless, whereas the other is a medical emergency. Here are the other key differences between the two.
Wondering what fits into a keto diet — and what doesn’t? “It’s so important to know what foods you’ll be eating before you start, and how to incorporate more fats into your diet,” says Kristen Mancinelli, RD, author of The Ketogenic Diet: A Scientifically Proven Approach to Fast, Healthy Weight Loss, who is based in New York City. We asked her for some guidelines.
Liberally Ketogenic diets aren’t high in protein (they focus on fat) so these should all be consumed in moderation.
Occasionally
Never
Liberally
Occasionally Limit your consumption of these oils, which should be easy to do if you're avoiding packaged foods, where they're often found.
Never
Liberally
Occasionally These are great choices, but you’ll need to count the carbs.
Never
Liberally
Occasionally
Never
Liberally
Occasionally
Never
Liberally None; always practice moderation with sweeteners.
Occasionally
Never
Liberally
Occasionally
Never
Liberally
Occasionally
Never
Liberally All herbs and spices fit in a keto diet, but if you’re using large amounts, Mancinelli recommends counting the carbs.
Occasionally These are good choices, but do contain some carbs.
Never
Consider taking
Optional These help you produce ketones more quickly; Mancinelli says she has no recommendation about taking or avoiding them.
The following are some of the best foods to eat on the keto diet, along with their serving sizes and an explanation of why they’re good for people who follow this eating approach.
Per 1 tablespoon (tbsp) serving 124 calories, 0g net carbs, 0g protein, 14g fat
Benefits This is a good source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids.
Per 1 tbsp serving 124 calories, 0g net carbs, 0g protein, 14g fat

Per 1 tbsp serving 116 calories, 0g net carbs, 0g protein, 14g fat
Benefits While high in saturated fat, coconut oil may increase “good” HDL cholesterol levels.
Per 1 tbsp serving 115 calories, 0g net carbs, 0g protein, 14g fat

Per 1 tbsp serving 100 calories, 0g net carbs, 0g protein, 11g fat

Per 1 slice serving 113 calories, 0g net carbs, 7g protein, 9g fat

Per 1 tbsp serving 52 calories, 0g net carbs, 0g protein, 5g fat
Benefits This is an easy way to add calories and fat into a ketogenic diet.
Per 1 slice serving 43 calories, 0g net carbs, 3g protein, 3g fat
Benefits The green light on bacon may be one reason you’re up for sticking to the diet, as it can make eating occasions more enticing. Just watch the sodium content, as it can add up quickly.
Per 1 thigh serving 318 calories, 0g net carbs, 32g protein, 20g fat
Benefits Leave the skin on here for extra fat. One thigh is a good source of selenium, zinc, and B vitamins.
Per 1 egg serving 77 calories, 1g net carbs, 6g protein, 5g fat
Benefits Eggs contain the perfect duo of satiating protein and fat; they’re also high in the antioxidant mineral selenium.
Per 3-ounce (oz) serving (measured raw) 279 calories, 0g net carbs, 12g protein, 24g fat
Benefits Ground beef (made with 70 percent lean meat and 30 percent fat) is a higher-fat choice — but that’s the point here. You’ll also get an excellent source of vitamin B12, which is necessary to keep up your energy levels.
Per 3 oz serving 224 calories, 0g net carbs, 22g protein, 14g fat
Benefits You’ll get an impressive amount of muscle-building protein plus satiating fat in this option. It’s also rich in zinc, a mineral that promotes proper thyroid function.
Per 1 cup (raw) serving 27 calories, 2g net carbs, 3g protein, 0g fat
Benefits Asparagus contains bone-building calcium, plus other minerals, such as potassium and magnesium, which has been linked with blood sugar regulation.
Per ½ avocado serving 160 calories, 2g net carbs, 2g protein, 15g fat
Benefits The creamy fruits are packed with fiber, something that you may lack on the keto diet. They also are an excellent source of immune-revving vitamin C.
The ketogenic diet can result in fast weight loss, but it isn’t for everyone.
Per 1 cup (shredded) serving 9 calories, 1g net carbs, 1g protein, 0g fat
Benefits Chinese cabbage is a rich source of vitamins A and C, and offers some calcium and energy-boosting iron.
Per 1 cup (raw) serving 25 calories, 2g net carbs, 2g protein, 0g fat
Benefits Provides more than three-quarters of your vitamin C quota in a day; with 3 g of fiber, it's also a good source of the heart-healthy nutrient.
Per 1 cup (raw) serving 16 calories, 1g net carbs, 1g protein, 0g fat
Benefits Celery is one of the most hydrating veggies out there. These crunchy spears also contain vitamins A and K, and folate.
Per ½ cup (slices) serving 8 calories, 2g net carbs, 0g protein, 0g fat
Benefits Cukes are high in water, making them a hydrating choice. They’re also a surprisingly good source of vitamin K, a vitamin important for proper blood clotting and bone formation.
Per 1 cup (sliced) serving 18 calories, 2g net carbs, 1g protein, 0g fat
Benefits Along with more than a day’s requirements for vitamin C, they’re also a good source of vitamin B6, which plays a role in more than 100 enzyme reactions in the body.
Per 1 cup (shredded) serving 5 calories, 1g net carbs, 0g protein, 0g fat
Benefits Leafy greens can add bulk to your meals for very few calories, as well as skin-strengthening vitamin A and vitamin C.
RELATED: 5 Simple Ways to Protect Your Skin
Per 1 cup (raw) serving 15 calories, 1g net carbs, 2g protein, 0g fat

Per 1 cup (sliced, raw) serving 18 calories, 3g net carbs, 1g protein, 0g fat
Benefits This is a great way to sneak in additional fiber, and the veggie also offers a good source of manganese, a mineral that helps form bone and aids in blood sugar control.
Breakfast Scrambled eggs in butter on a bed of lettuce topped with avocado
Snack Sunflower seeds
Lunch Spinach salad with grilled salmon
Snack Celery and pepper strips dipped in guacamole
Dinner Pork chop with cauliflower mash and red cabbage slaw
Breakfast Bulletproof coffee (made with butter and coconut oil), hard-boiled eggs
Snack Macadamia nuts
Lunch Tuna salad stuffed in tomatoes
Snack Roast beef and sliced cheese roll-ups
Dinner Meatballs on zucchini noodles, topped with cream sauce
Breakfast Cheese and veggie omelet topped with salsa
Snack Plain, full-fat Greek yogurt topped with crushed pecans
Lunch Sashimi takeout with miso soup
Snack Smoothie made with almond milk, greens, almond butter, and protein powder
Dinner Roasted chicken with asparagus and sautéed mushrooms
Breakfast Smoothie made with almond milk, greens, almond butter, and protein powder
Snack Two hard-boiled eggs
Lunch Chicken tenders made with almond flour on a bed of greens with cucumbers and goat cheese
Snack Sliced cheese and bell pepper slices
Dinner Grilled shrimp topped with a lemon butter sauce with a side of asparagus
Breakfast Fried eggs with bacon and a side of greens
Snack A handful of walnuts with a quarter cup of berries
Lunch Grass-fed burger in a lettuce “bun” topped with avocado and a side salad
Snack Celery sticks dipped in almond butter
Dinner Baked tofu with cauliflower rice, broccoli, and peppers, topped with a homemade peanut sauce
Breakfast Baked eggs in avocado cups
Snack Kale chips
Lunch Poached salmon avocado rolls wrapped in seaweed (rice-free)
Snack Meat-based bar (turkey or pork)
Dinner Grilled beef kebabs with peppers and sautéed broccolini
Breakfast Eggs scrambled with veggies, topped with salsa
Snack Dried seaweed strips and cheese
Lunch Sardine salad made with mayo in half an avocado
Snack Turkey jerky (look for no added sugars)
Dinner Broiled trout with butter, sautéed bok choy
Get More Ideas for Make-Ahead Keto Diet Recipes
Fresh, high-fat avocados and low-carb berries, not to mention nuts and other unprocessed foods, can break the bank, especially if they're not already part of your budget. Fortunately, there are a few hacks you can follow to cut down on costs while following the keto diet. Buying frozen fruits and nuts in bulk are just two examples.
Learn More About Following Keto on a Budget
Snacking on the keto diet can be tricky, because the usual go-tos (think chips, crackers, and granola bars) are off-limits. Starchier whole foods that are usually considered healthy, such as bananas, won’t fly either because of their higher carb count.
Even if you don’t think of yourself as a snacker, you’ll want to keep keto-friendly options on hand (in your purse or backpack and in your office desk) when hunger strikes.
Some nuts, certain meats, olives, and cheese — all high-fat, low-carb eats — are approved.
Other good news: Many companies are getting into the business of the keto diet and are creating their own specialty products that take the guesswork out of macronutrient counting. Some even have tried to mimic favorite comfort foods typically high in carbs, like candy, potato chips, and even cookies.
Learn More About the Best Snacks to Eat on Keto
Learn More About Keto Diet-Friendly Convenience Foods
Let’s face it: It’s unrealistic to think you’re going to cook every meal, every day, when you’re on the keto diet. Fortunately, a growing number of restaurants are offering healthy options that fit in a keto diet — and some have even hopped on the keto bandwagon officially.
Take Chipotle, which now offers a Keto Salad Bowl, complete with carnitas, guacamole, tomatillo red chile salsa, and cheese. And that’s just the beginning. With bunless burger options galore at fast-food chains across the United States, dining out on keto doesn’t have to be rocket science.
Still, you might want to do a little research before an upcoming road trip or a night out. Same goes if you know you’re not going to have as much time for meal prep on a certain week and know you’ll have to resort to hitting the drive-through.
When it comes to ordering, the same general keto meal-plan rules apply: Steer clear of the buns, the tortillas, the rice, and the breaded meats. When in doubt, opt for a salad with nonstarchy veggies, cheese, avocado, and a simple, olive oil–based salad dressing.
If you aren’t a salad fan, though, rest assured that you have numerous other options at your disposal.
Learn More About Ordering Fast Food on the Keto Diet
Learn More About Keto-Friendly Restaurants
There are plenty of keto Instagram accounts, blogs, and books you can browse for ketogenic diet recipes (we love these keto Instant-Pot recipe ideas, for example!). But browsing some of these beloved keto websites offer a good starting point when building your meal plan:
Keto Diet Blog
Keto-Adapted
Healthful Pursuit
Elana’s Pantry
The Keto Summit
Peace, Love, and Low Carb
All Day I Dream About Food
KetoGasm
I Breathe, I'm Hungry
Keto Karma
Keto: The Complete Guide to Success on the Ketogenic Diet, Including Simplified Science and No-Cook Meal Plans, by Maria Emmerich and Craig Emmerich

The Easy 5-Ingredient Ketogenic Diet Cookbook: Low-Carb, High-Fat Recipes for Busy People on the Keto Diet, by Jen Fisch
Simply Keto: A Practical Approach to Health & Weight Loss, With 100+ Easy Low-Carb Recipes, by Suzanne Ryan
The Keto Diet: The Complete Guide to a High-Fat Diet, With More Than 125 Delectable Recipes and 5 Meal Plans to Shed Weight, Heal Your Body, and Regain Confidence, by Leanne Vogel
The Complete Ketogenic Diet for Beginners: Your Essential Guide to Living the Keto Lifestyle, by Amy Ramos
The Keto Reset Diet: Reboot Your Metabolism in 21 Days and Burn Fat Forever, by Mark Sisson and Brad Kearns
The Ketogenic Diet: A Scientifically Proven Approach to Fast, Healthy Weight Loss, by Kristen Mancinelli
Ketogenic Diet: The Step by Step Guide for Beginners: Ketogenic Diet for Beginners: Optimal Path for Weight Loss, by Jamie Ken Moore
Ketogenic Diet Cookbook: 500 Ketogenic Diet Recipes to Cook at Home, by Emily Willis
The Keto Crock Pot Cookbook: Quick and Easy Ketogenic Crock Pot Recipes for Smart People, by Loretta Wagner
Get More Book Recommendations for Following the Keto Diet
Cleveland Clinic Functional Ketogenics Program
This program targets adults who want to lose weight with keto, aiming to help guide dieters through the process safely. It offers 10 sessions with a healthcare practitioner, as well as support from health coaches, which helps you plan and successfully execute a low-carb diet.
Keto Nutrition
Dominic D’Agostino, PhD, an associate professor at the University of South Florida in Tampa, runs this website. For a more in-depth and dynamic look into the keto diet (including information on the ketogenic diet and cancer), his appearances on podcasts and lectures are a must — and this page collects all these links.
KetoCon
Meet up with fellow keto followers, as well as medical professionals and keto lifestyle coaches. Plus, you’ll learn about new products aimed at supporting your keto journey during this three-day event.
The Charlie Foundation for Ketogenic Therapies
Started 25 years ago, this foundation focuses on advancing awareness of the ketogenic diet as a medical therapy diet for epilepsy, cancer, autism, ALS, Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes, and traumatic brain injury.
KetoDietCalculator
Run by the Charlie Foundation, this calculator can be helpful when you’re using keto as a therapy to help manage a medical condition. The calculator helps estimate calorie needs based on weight, assists in determining a macro ratio and macros needed per meal, and can calculate macro numbers on the basis of meals and snacks you enter into the system. Also takes into account fluids, supplements, and medications.
Senza
Free; in-app purchases; ranked 4.8 on iTunes and 4.1 on Android
This app counts macros easily and displays them clearly so you can stay on track. It offers a database of keto-approved foods and restaurant items. You can also monitor electrolytes to avoid the dreaded keto flu. If you’re someone who needs to monitor ketones, this app will also track that info.
ClinicalTrials.Gov
From the National Institutes of Health, this government website lists all the ongoing and completed trials involving the keto diet. Use it to stay up-to-date on the potential newest applications of keto, as well as trials that may be currently recruiting for participants in your area.
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