Keto Means
Photo by Ufuk  Avcıoğlu Pexels Logo Photo: Ufuk Avcıoğlu

Is Turkey on keto diet?

Thanksgiving dinner revolves around the turkey, and lucky for you, this meat is naturally keto-friendly. Roasted turkey breast without the skin has 0 g of net carbs per 3-ounce serving, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which makes it the perfect complement to your Thanksgiving plate.

What happens if you take magnesium every night?
What happens if you take magnesium every night?

One study of older adults with insomnia found that magnesium supplementation at a dose of 500 milligrams daily for eight weeks helped them fall...

Read More »
Is Greek yogurt Keto friendly?
Is Greek yogurt Keto friendly?

Plain Greek yogurt and cottage cheese are nutritious, high protein foods. While they contain some carbs, you can eat them in moderation on keto.

Read More »

For most people, Thanksgiving is all about reflecting on what you’re grateful for while spending time with friends and family. But if you’re trying to stay on track with a ketogenic diet, this holiday can bring on an added layer of stress. “It's tough to head into social gatherings without knowing what will be served and whether you'll have enough options that fit into a keto diet,” explains Christy Brissette, RD, of 80 Twenty Nutrition in Chicago. But staying on track with your meal plan goals can be done, even during the holiday season. It just requires a little bit of planning.

First, What Beginners Need to Know About Keto

The ketogenic diet came about as a way to help control seizure disorders almost 100 years ago. Today, it has become a popular way to shed pounds and inches rapidly. “Research points to some potential benefits of the ketogenic diet, including a few studies that have shown it may promote weight loss, lower blood sugar, and increase insulin sensitivity in people with diabetes,” says Keri Glassman, RD, of Nutritious Life in New York City. But the keto diet is not without a few downsides. “As your body adjusts, you may experience symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and nausea for a few weeks,” Glassman says. That’s not all. “Side effects from this form of dieting may lead to constipation, electrolyte imbalances, and headaches,” adds Brissette. Not to mention, dramatically reducing your carb intake for the long haul can be challenging, Brissette says. Also, the keto diet may pose health risks long term, and some studies have pointed out that keto is no more effective for weight loss than other diets.

Is the Ketogenic Diet Right for You, or Could It Be Unsafe for Your Health?

No diet is one-size-fits-all, including keto. Long-term studies on the health effects of keto are limited, but some research has found that low-carb dieters may be at a higher risk of early death, possibly because low-carb diets, including keto, tend to decrease consumption of fiber and fruit and don’t mandate limiting intake of fats that are unhealthy in excess, such as that in red meat. Suffice to say, the keto diet may pose health dangers for some people. “The safety of the keto diet hasn't been studied in people with kidney or liver problems, pregnant women, or anyone with an eating disorder history or chronic constipation. If you have bone health concerns, you may also want to steer clear of the keto diet. It can be low in calcium and vitamin D,” adds Brissette.

Making the Keto Diet Work for You During the Holiday Season

If you plan to follow the keto diet during the holidays, there are a few simple tricks that can help you to stay on track. First, make sure you’re not arriving at a Thanksgiving celebration with an empty stomach. Having a healthy breakfast or snack can go a long way toward preventing the excessive hunger that can lead you to reach for the wrong foods during the main meal. And don’t be shy about sharing your dietary needs with others. “Talk to your host and let him or her know you're on a keto diet and you'd like to bring a couple of dishes to share with everyone,” suggests Brissette.

Need ideas? Give some of these delicious, keto-friendly Thanksgiving recipes a try:

Does healthy bacon exist?
Does healthy bacon exist?

Turkey bacon is technically a healthier choice with about 2/3 of the fat and calories of pork, but it can have more sodium to make up for the less...

Read More »
Is dietary fiber a carbohydrate?
Is dietary fiber a carbohydrate?

Fiber is a type of carbohydrate found mainly in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. It helps keep you regular, but it offers many other...

Read More »

How long to boil eggs?
How long to boil eggs?

Method 3 minutes for really soft boiled yolk and set white. 4 minutes for slightly set yolk and set white. 5 minutes for a medium cooked firmer...

Read More »
Are almonds on keto diet?
Are almonds on keto diet?

Almonds can be enjoyed raw or roasted as a keto-friendly snack. You can also buy or make keto-friendly almond milk or butter. In addition, almond...

Read More »
What juice brings down blood pressure?
What juice brings down blood pressure?

The lowdown. Consuming drinks like tomato juice, beet juice, pomegranate juice, and skimmed milk as part of a balanced, healthy diet can help you...

Read More »
What can pull you out of ketosis?
What can pull you out of ketosis?

Foods that will knock you out of ketosis pretty quickly are: Grains. Sugar/sugar-sweetened beverages. Too much fruit. Processed meats (they often...

Read More »