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Can I eat as much meat as I want on keto?

If you're embarking on a ketogenic lifestyle, you should know that you actually can't eat a ton of meat on the keto diet. In fact, eating too much protein can kick you out of ketosis, so while meats are definitely okay in moderation on a keto diet, they shouldn't be its number one staple.

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The ketogenic diet has never been more popular, with celebrities jumping on board and even Trader Joe’s catering to the keto crowd. Unfortunately, though, the low-carb, high-fat diet has drawn criticism from some who claim that it’s just not healthy to eat “that much meat.” But wait — is the keto diet actually very meat-heavy? Not really! If you’re embarking on a ketogenic lifestyle, you should know that you actually can’t eat a ton of meat on the keto diet. In fact, eating too much protein can kick you out of ketosis, so while meats are definitely okay in moderation on a keto diet, they shouldn’t be its number one staple. Here’s the scoop.

Meat, fish, and dairy products on a table

Protein and Keto

Meat — especially the cuts of meat that people eat most often, like chicken breasts and steaks — are high in protein content. That’s no mystery, but when it comes to achieving ketosis (a state where your body burns through its stores of glucose, and turns to burning fat instead), it’s important not to consume too much protein. That’s because your body has the ability to make glucose out of protein through a process called gluconeogenesis. When this happens, your body reverts to burning glucose (rather than fat) for energy, taking you out of ketosis. A 2011 study confirmed that “[Low-carbohydrate/high-fat diets] must be high in fat, but also low in protein contents to be clearly ketogenic. ”

The Best Meats for Keto

Though everyone is different, the standard ratio of macronutrients for a ketogenic diet is 75 percent fat, 20 percent protein, and five percent carbohydrate. This means that the majority of each meal — in fact, a WIDE majority — should be non-meat sources of fat. Only about one-fifth of your meal should be protein. If you’ve done that math, that makes high-protein meat choices, like skinless chicken breasts or fish, things you should only eat sparingly. Here are some of the meats with the best fat-to-protein ratio. But keep in mind: Even these high-fat meats have plenty of protein, so they shouldn’t be eaten at every meal.

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Fatty cuts of steak (NY strip, ribeye, brisket)

Nitrate-free, unprocessed bacon

Skin-on chicken thighs and legs

Skin-on fatty fish, such as salmon

Offal (organ meats such as liver, cheek, and heart)

The Best Non-Meat Fats for Keto

With meat playing a supporting, not starring, role in the keto diet, you’re probably wondering what *should* comprise the majority of your meals. Low-carb and non-starchy veggies like spinach and kale are great for keto and are ideal carriers for non-meat fats. While some keto fans opt for dairy, others take a more purist approach, sourcing their fats from less processed sources. These are the fats you should be using to reach your keto goals:

Animal fats such as lard, duck fat, and bacon grease

Ghee or organic butter

Olive oil

Coconut oil

Avocados

Olives

Eggs

(Photo via Getty)

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Are stewed tomatoes anti inflammatory?

Take tomatoes, for example. They have lycopene and vitamin C that help curb inflammation. Chili peppers also have benefits.

9) tycoon751 / Thinkstock

CDC: “In search of a germ theory equivalent for chronic disease.”

Harvard School of Public Health: Shining the Spotlight on Trans Fats.

Defago, M. Journal of Clinical Hypertension, published online November 6, 2014.

DiNicolantonio, J. Open Heart, November 2013.

Harvard Health Publications. Glycemic index and glycemic load for 100+ foods.

Feliciano, P. Nutricion Hospitilaria, August 2014.

American Association for the Advancement of Science. How Fish Oil Fights Inflammation.

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Linus Pauling Institute. Inflammation.

Gunawardena, D. Food Chemistry, published online October 14, 2013.

Parkinson, L. International Journal of Molecular Science, July 11, 2014.

Wang, S. Natural Product Communications, July 2014.

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