Keto Means
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Which foods spike insulin The least?

Milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products may not immediately spike your blood sugar, but they could make you more insulin resistant over time.

What happens if you don't drink enough on keto?
What happens if you don't drink enough on keto?

It's crucial to manage your electrolyte levels on keto. If you don't, electrolyte deficiencies will manifest as symptoms like headaches, low...

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At what point are you burning fat?
At what point are you burning fat?

Fat burning typically begins after approximately 12 hours of fasting and escalates between 16 and 24 hours of fasting. Jul 29, 2019

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There’s no one-size-fits-all for a metabolically healthy diet. How we each respond to food goes beyond the macronutrient content of the food itself. You might respond well to bananas and have a big spike when you eat rice, while someone else may have the opposite response. Individual differences, such as the composition of our gut microbiome, our micronutrient status, how well we sleep, exposure to stress, physical activity, and our genetics, can all contribute to those unique reactions. In addition, how we consume a food can impact its metabolic response: For example, if we pair it with fat, protein, or fiber. The order in which we eat things matters, too—having fat or protein before carbs can help blunt a spike. Consuming vinegar or cinnamon before or with a meal can also lower the glucose response. “Focusing on whole, unprocessed foods and avoiding added sugars are the cornerstones of optimal metabolic health.” Many diet approaches can support metabolically healthy eating. We don’t endorse any particular diet because we recognize that each of us reacts differently to food, and that many factors influence what we eat. However, we can identify several foods that are unlikely to spike your glucose. Here’s a starter list of things you can try, and if you have a continuous glucose monitor or use other methods to test your blood sugar, see how you respond. Even if you can’t measure your response, this is an excellent list to build your individual diet around.

Vegetables

In general, starchy vegetables are the most likely to raise glucose. Leafy green vegetables should serve as the core of any diet.

Artichoke

Arugula

Asparagus

Avocado

Bok choy

Broccoli

Broccolini

Brussels sprouts

Cabbage

Carrots

Cauliflower

Celery

Celery root

Chard

Collards

Cucumber

Eggplant

Endive

Fennel

Green beans

Hearts of palm

Jicama

Kale

Kohlrabi

Leeks

Lettuce of all varieties

Mushrooms

Mustard greens

Okra

Onion

Peppers

Pumpkin

Radishes

Rapini (broccoli raab)

Rhubarb

Rutabaga

Snow peas and snap peas

Spinach

Sprouts

Summer squash

Tomatillos

Tomato

Turnip

Turnip greens

Zucchini

Nuts and Seeds

These are a great way to add fat, protein, and micronutrients to any meal or to have as a healthy snack.

Chia seeds

Flaxseeds

Pumpkin seeds

Sesame seeds

Almonds

Brazil nuts

Cashews

Hazelnut

Macadamia nuts

Pecans

Pistachios

Walnuts

Beans and legumes

Particularly when paired with fat, beans and legumes can be a great source of fiber and protein without a significant spike. That said, some people have a substantial response to beans. Tofu is generally a good choice for not spiking glucose.

Chickpeas

What vegetables can you not eat on keto?
What vegetables can you not eat on keto?

These veggies should be avoided at all costs: Potatoes (As they contain a lot of starch and carbs, equally harmful for diabetics) Sweet Potatoes...

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How much weight can you lose in 30 days on keto?
How much weight can you lose in 30 days on keto?

A safe average loss is around one to two pounds (0.5-1 kg) per week. Here's what studies say about losing weight on the ketogenic diet: One study...

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Lentils

Black beans

Kidney beans

Soybeans (edamame)

Tofu

Fruits

Many berries tend to work well for people, while starchy fruits (such as bananas) and high-sugar fruits like dates may lead to a blood-sugar spike. Citrus is a great flavor addition to any dish. Generally, fruit paired with fat and protein (like nut butters or full-fat unsweetened yogurt) and additional fiber (chia seeds or flaxseeds) can help blunt a spike from fruit. Also, portion size matters—keep them small as you learn how your body reacts.

Blackberries

Blueberries

Raspberries

Strawberries

Coconut

Lemon

Lime

Orange

Kiwi

Why fructose is bad for metabolic health Fructose is a natural sugar but as an added sweetener its metabolic impact can be severe. Here’s what it does to your body and how to avoid it. Read the Article

Eggs and Dairy

If you choose to eat dairy, fermented is best; also, aim for whole-fat and organic. If you use dairy alternatives, avoid sweetened varieties and oat milk.

Eggs (go for organic, cage-free)

Kefir

Plain unsweetened Greek yogurt

Cottage cheese

Butter

Ghee

Sour cream

Unsweetened nut, seed, and bean milks (excluding oat or rice milk)

Unsweetened non-dairy yogurt (excluding oat)

Baked-Good Ingredients

If you want to bake, just swap in these alternative flours and sweeteners for refined wheat flours and traditional sugars.

Almond flour

Coconut flour

Monk Fruit

Stevia

Allulose

Pasta

White-flour pasta is an ultra-processed food; try one of these alternatives instead.

Zucchini noodles

Konjac noodles

Hearts of palm pasta

Chickpea, black bean, or lentil pasta (these spike some people and not others)

Meat and Fish

If you eat animal products, look for organic, grass-fed, antibiotic- and hormone-free options, which have higher omega-3s, including (but not limited to):

Beef

Lamb

Game meats

For seafood, try wild-caught, small fish, such as:

Sardines

Anchovies

Salmon

Oils, Fats, and Sauces

Avoid refined seed oils, which have damaging linoleic acids. Nut butters and spreads like tahini can be excellent sources of fat and protein to pair with other foods.

Tahini

Nut butters

Aioli

Guacamole

Pesto

Coconut oil

Olive oil

Avocado oil

MCT oil

Flavorings and Treats

Extra Dark Chocolate (88% or higher is a good choice)

Cocoa powder

Remember, everyone’s ideal metabolic diet is different. There’s no guarantee that any of these items will produce a low glycemic response for you. However, focusing on whole, unprocessed foods and avoiding added sugars are the cornerstones of optimal metabolic health.

Why did I gain 2 pounds overnight on keto?
Why did I gain 2 pounds overnight on keto?

Sudden weight gain on a keto diet is typically a result of a few reasons. Some of the reasons you may experience sudden weight gain include eating...

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What is the most flavorful squash?
What is the most flavorful squash?

Butternut squash have some of the best flavor of all! Butternut cultivars are pretty consistent when it comes to flavor. All have richly sweet,...

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What happens to your body when you start keto?
What happens to your body when you start keto?

Ketosis is a process that happens when your body doesn't have enough carbohydrates to burn for energy. Instead, it burns fat and makes things...

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Can almond milk cause inflammation?
Can almond milk cause inflammation?

It Doesn't Cause Inflammation Assuming you don't have an issue with nuts, almond milk does not cause this same inflammation. It is fairly soothing...

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