The ketogenic diet is a very low-carb, high-fat diet. To achieve positive results, this diet has to be very low in carbohydrates, high in dietary fat and include a moderate amount of proteins. This reduction in carbs puts your body into a metabolic state called ketosis. When this happens, your body becomes incredibly efficient at burning fat for energy. Ketogenic diet can cause massive reductions in blood sugar, insulin levels and help with weight loss.
Benefits of keto diet:
• Weight loss
• Reduced blood pressure
• Slower ageing process
• Improved sleep and mood
• Increased energy efficiency
• Sustainable weight loss
• Reduced risk of inflammation
• It can reduce insulin resistance,
•
• lowering blood sugar by 3–6% and insulin levels by 20–31%
•
• Reduces “bad” LDL cholesterol, blood triglycerides, inflammatory markers, and blood sugar
•
• Increases the brain hormone BDNF and may aid the growth of new nerve cells


The ketogenic diet has become quite popular recently.
Studies have found that this very low-carb, high-fat diet is effective for weight loss, diabetes and epilepsy .
There's also early evidence to show that it may be beneficial for certain cancers, Alzheimer's disease and other diseases too.
A ketogenic diet typically limits carbs to 20–50 grams per day. While this may seem challenging, many nutritious foods can easily fit into this way of eating.
These are some of the best food to eat on a Keto Diet :

Seafood
Fish and shellfish are very keto-friendly foods. Salmon and other fish are rich in B vitamins, potassium and selenium, yet virtually carb-free However, the carbs in different types of shellfish vary. For instance, while shrimp and most crabs contain no carbs, other types of shellfish do.
Many types of seafood are carb-free or very low in carbs. Fish and shellfish are also good sources of vitamins, minerals and omega-3s.

Low-Carb Vegetables
Non-starchy vegetables are low in calories and carbs, but high in many nutrients, including vitamin C and several minerals.
Vegetables and other plants contain fiber, which your body doesn't digest and absorb like other carbs.
Therefore, look at their digestible (or net) carb count, which is total carbs minus fiber
Most vegetables contain very few net carbs. However, consuming one serving of "starchy" vegetables like potatoes, yams or beets could put you over your entire carb limit for the day.
The net carbs in non-starchy vegetables range from 1–8 grams per cup. Vegetables are nutritious, versatile and may help reduce the risk of disease.

3)Cheese
Cheese is both nutritious and delicious.
There are hundreds of types of cheese. Fortunately, all of them are very low in carbs and high in fat, which makes them a great fit for a ketogenic diet.
One ounce (28 grams) of cheddar cheese provides 1 gram of carbs, 7 grams of protein and 20% of the RDI for calcium (20).
Cheese is high in saturated fat, but it hasn't been shown to increase the risk of heart disease. In fact, some studies suggest that cheese may help protect against heart diseases
Cheese also contains conjugated linoleic acid, which is a fat that has been linked to fat loss and improvements in body composition
Cheese is rich in protein, calcium and beneficial fatty acids, yet contains a minimal amount of carbs.

4. Avocados
Avocados are incredibly healthy.
3.5 ounces (100 grams), or about one-half of a medium avocado, contain 9 grams of carbs.
However, 7 of these are fiber, so its net carb count is only 2 grams.
Avocados are high in several vitamins and minerals, including potassium, an important mineral many people may not get enough of. What's more, a higher potassium intake may help make the transition to a ketogenic diet easier
In addition, avocados may help improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Avocados contain 2 grams of net carbs per serving and are high in fiber and several nutrients, including potassium. In addition, they may improve heart health

5. Meat and Poultry
Meat and poultry are considered staple foods on a ketogenic diet.
Fresh meat and poultry contain no carbs and are rich in B vitamins and several minerals, including potassium, selenium and zinc .
They're also a great source of high-quality protein, which has been shown to help preserve muscle mass during a very low-carb diet
Meat and poultry do not contain carbs and are rich in high-quality protein and several nutrients. Grass-fed meat is the healthiest choice.

6. Eggs
Eggs are one of the healthiest and most versatile foods on the planet.
One large egg contains less than 1 gram of carbs and fewer than 6 grams of protein, making eggs an ideal food for a ketogenic lifestyle (33).
In addition, eggs have been shown to trigger hormones that increase feelings of fullness and keep blood sugar levels stable, leading to lower calorie intakes for up to 24 hours
It's important to eat the entire egg, as most of an egg's nutrients are found in the yolk. This includes the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which help protect eye health
Eggs contain less than 1 gram of carbs each and can help keep you full for hours. They're also high in several nutrients and may help protect eye and heart health.

7. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has unique properties that make it well suited for a ketogenic diet.
To begin with, it contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). Unlike long-chain fats, MCTs are taken up directly by the liver and converted into ketones or used as a rapid source of energy.
In fact, coconut oil has been used to increase ketone levels in people with Alzheimer's disease and other disorders of the brain and nervous system
The main fatty acid in coconut oil is lauric acid, a slightly longer-chain fat. It has been suggested that coconut oil's mix of MCTs and lauric acid may promote a sustained level of ketosis
Coconut oil is rich in MCTs, which can increase ketone production. In addition, it may increase metabolic rate and promote the loss of weight and belly fat.

8)Plain Greek Yogurt and Cottage Cheese

Plain Greek yogurt and cottage cheese are healthy, high-protein foods.
While they contain some carbs, they can still be included in a ketogenic lifestyle.
5 ounces (150 grams) of plain Greek yogurt provides 5 grams of carbs and 11 grams of protein. That amount of cottage cheese provides 5 grams of carbs and 18 grams of protein
Both yogurt and cottage cheese have been shown to help decrease appetite and promote feelings of fullness
Either one makes a tasty snack on its own.
However, both can also be combined with chopped nuts, cinnamon and optional sugar-free sweetener for a quick and easy keto treat.
Both plain Greek yogurt and cottage cheese contain 5 grams of carbs per serving. Studies have shown that they help reduce appetite and promote fullness.

9. Olive Oil
Olive oil provides impressive benefits for your heart.
It's high in oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat that has been found to decrease heart disease risk factors in many studies
In addition, extra-virgin olive oil is high in antioxidants known as phenols. These compounds further protect heart health by decreasing inflammation and improving artery function
As a pure fat source, olive oil contains no carbs. It's an ideal base for salad dressings and healthy mayonnaise.
Because it isn't as stable as saturated fats at high temperatures, it's best to use olive oil for low-heat cooking or add it to foods after they have been cooked. You can find olive oil online.
Extra-virgin olive oil is high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. It's ideal for salad dressings, mayonnaise and adding to cooked foods.

10. Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are healthy, high-fat and low-carb foods.
Frequent nut consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, certain cancers, depression and other chronic diseases
Furthermore, nuts and seeds are high in fiber, which can help you feel full and absorb fewer calories overall
Although all nuts and seeds are low in net carbs, the amount varies quite a bit among the different types.
Here are the carb counts for 1 ounce (28 grams) of some popular nuts and seeds
• Almonds: 3 grams net carbs (6 grams total carbs)
• Brazil nuts: 1 gram net carbs (3 grams total carbs)
• Cashews: 8 grams net carbs (9 grams total carbs)
• Macadamia nuts: 2 grams net carbs (4 grams total carbs)
• Pecans: 1 gram net carbs (4 grams total carbs)
• Pistachios: 5 grams net carbs (8 grams total carbs)
• Walnuts: 2 grams net carbs (4 grams total carbs)
• Chia seeds: 1 gram net carbs (12 grams total carbs)
• Flaxseeds: 0 grams net carbs (8 grams total carbs)
• Pumpkin seeds: 4 grams net carbs (5 grams total carbs)
• Sesame seeds: 3 grams net carbs (7 grams total carbs)
Nuts and seeds are heart-healthy, high in fiber and may lead to healthier aging. They provide 0–8 grams of net carbs per ounce.

11. Berries
Most fruits are too high in carbs to include on a ketogenic diet, but berries are an exception.
Berries are low in carbs and high in fiber.
In fact, raspberries and blackberries contain as much fiber as digestible carbs.
These tiny fruits are loaded with antioxidants that have been credited with reducing inflammation and protecting against diseases
Here are the carb counts for 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of some berries (68, 69, 70, 71):
• Blackberries: 5 grams net carbs (10 grams total carbs)
• Blueberries: 12 grams net carbs (14 grams total carbs)
• Raspberries: 6 grams net carbs (12 grams total carbs)
• Strawberries: 6 grams net carbs (8 grams total carbs)
Berries are rich in nutrients that may reduce the risk of disease. They provide 5–12 grams of net carbs per 3.5-ounce serving.


12. Butter and Cream
Butter and cream are good fats to include on a ketogenic diet. Each contains only trace amounts of carbs per serving.
For many years, butter and cream were believed to cause or contribute to heart disease due to their high saturated fat contents. However, several large studies have shown that, for most people, saturated fat isn't linked to heart disease.
In fact, some studies suggest that a moderate consumption of high-fat dairy may possibly reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke
Like other fatty dairy products, butter and cream are rich in conjugated linoleic acid, the fatty acid that may promote fat loss
Butter and cream are nearly carb-free and appear to have neutral or beneficial effects on heart health, when consumed in moderation.

13. Shirataki Noodles
Shirataki noodles are a fantastic addition to a ketogenic diet. You can find them online.
They contain less than 1 gram of carbs and 5 calories per serving because they are mainly water.
In fact, these noodles are made from a viscous fiber called glucomannan, which can absorb up to 50 times its weight in water
Viscous fiber forms a gel that slows down food's movement through your digestive tract. This can help decrease hunger and blood sugar spikes, making it beneficial for weight loss and diabetes management
Shirataki noodles come in a variety of shapes, including rice, fettuccine and linguine. They can be substituted for regular noodles in all types of recipes.
Shirataki noodles contain less than 1 gram of carbs per serving. Their viscous fiber helps slow down the movement of food through your digestive tract, which promotes fullness and stable blood sugar levels.

14. Olives
Olives provide the same health benefits as olive oil, only in solid form.
Oleuropein, the main antioxidant found in olives, has anti-inflammatory properties and may protect your cells from damage
In addition, studies suggest that consuming olives may help prevent bone loss and decrease blood pressure
Olives vary in carb content due to their size. However, half of their carbs come from fiber, so their digestible carb content is very low.
A one-ounce (28-gram) serving of olives contains 2 grams of total carbs and 1 gram of fiber. This works out to a net carb count of 1 gram for 7–10 olives, depending on their size (82).
Olives are rich in antioxidants that may help protect heart and bone health. They contain 1 gram of net carbs per ounce.

15. Unsweetened Coffee and Tea
Coffee and tea are incredibly healthy, carb-free drinks.
They contain caffeine, which increases your metabolism and may improve your physical performance, alertness and mood
What's more, coffee and tea drinkers have been shown to have a significantly reduced risk of diabetes. In fact, those with the highest coffee and tea intakes have the lowest risk of developing diabetes (
Adding heavy cream to coffee or tea is fine, but stay away from "light" coffee and tea lattes. These are typically made with non-fat milk and contain high-carb flavorings.
Unsweetened coffee and tea contain no carbs and can help boost your metabolic rate, as well as physical and mental performance. They can also reduce your risk of diabetes.

16. Dark Chocolate and Cocoa Powder
Dark chocolate and cocoa are delicious sources of antioxidants.
In fact, cocoa has been called a "super fruit," because it provides at least as much antioxidant activity as any other fruit, including blueberries and acai berries
Dark chocolate contains flavanols, which may reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure and keeping arteries healthy
Somewhat surprisingly, chocolate can be part of a ketogenic diet. However, it's important to choose dark chocolate that contains a minimum of 70% cocoa solids, preferably more.
One ounce (28 grams) of unsweetened chocolate (100% cocoa) has 3 grams of net carbs. The same amount of 70–85% dark chocolate contains up to 10 grams of net carbs
Dark chocolate contains 3–10 grams of net carbs per ounce, is high in antioxidants and may help reduce the risk of heart disease.

The Bottom Line
A ketogenic diet can be used to achieve weight loss, blood sugar control and other health-related goals.
Fortunately, it can include a wide variety of nutritious, tasty and versatile foods that allow you to remain within your daily carb range.
To reap all the health benefits of a ketogenic diet, consume these 16 foods on a regular basis.

Written By ChefPhunmbi
Luka’s Kitchen Abuja