Keto Diet

avocado
Keto diet foods: eggs, avocado, tomatoes and butter.

Keto Diet

The keto diet, short for ketogenic diet, is a very low-carbohydrate, high-fat, moderate-protein eating plan. Most versions keep net carbs around 20 to 50 grams a day so the body shifts from burning glucose to burning fat and making ketones. That state is called ketosis. Typical calorie splits are about 70 to 80 percent fat, 10 to 20 percent protein, and 5 to 10 percent carbohydrate. That is stricter on carbs than South Beach or a general low carb diet, and less extreme than a carnivore diet that drops plants entirely.

Russell Wilder at Mayo Clinic used a ketogenic diet for childhood epilepsy in the 1920s. That medical use still has the strongest evidence. People now try a keto diet for weight loss and type 2 diabetes. Short-term trials often show faster early weight loss, lower triglycerides, and better A1C than a low-fat menu. The gap usually shrinks by one to two years. Long-term safety data are thinner than for Mediterranean or DASH eating.

Keto diet food list

Eat: meat, poultry, fatty fish, eggs, cheese, butter, olive oil, avocado, nuts and seeds in measured amounts, and non-starchy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, and salad greens. Drink water. Many people add electrolytes in week one.

Limit or skip: bread, rice, pasta, cereal, most fruit, juice, soda, beans, potatoes, and sugary snacks. “Dirty keto” hits the carb cap with processed meats and fake desserts. “Clean keto” leans on olive oil, fish, eggs, and vegetables. A simple day: eggs and avocado; a large salad with salmon and olive oil; a ribeye with broccoli cooked in butter. Test strips or a blood ketone meter can confirm ketosis, but they are optional for weight-loss use.

Benefits, side effects, and who should be careful

Possible upsides: appetite control, short-term fat loss, and lower blood sugar for some people with type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association lists low-carb and very-low-carb patterns as options for adults who need better glucose control. Diabetes and blood-pressure medicines often need a clinician-supervised cut when carbs drop, or readings can fall too far.

Common early effects are the keto flu: headache, fatigue, constipation, and cramps while fluid and sodium shift. Other concerns: higher LDL cholesterol in many people, kidney stones, gout flares, nutrient gaps if vegetables stay too low, and relapse when carbs return. Do not start a keto diet if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a history of eating disorders, pancreatitis, or advanced kidney disease, unless a specialist directs a medical ketogenic protocol (usually for epilepsy).

Related key phrases

Useful related terms: ketogenic diet, ketosis, keto diet food list, keto meal plan, net carbs, keto flu, dirty keto vs clean keto, cyclical keto, modified Atkins diet, keto for weight loss, keto for type 2 diabetes, and exogenous ketones.

The 50 links below cover epilepsy protocols, diabetes guidance, Harvard and Cleveland Clinic reviews, and practical keto recipe hubs so you can weigh the medical record against the marketing.

50 Keto Diet Resources

  1. Harvard Health: Is the Ketogenic Diet Good for You?
  2. Harvard Health: Should You Try the Keto Diet?
  3. Harvard Nutrition Source: Ketogenic Diet Review
  4. Cleveland Clinic: What Is the Keto Diet?
  5. Cleveland Clinic: Ketogenic Diet for Epilepsy
  6. Mayo Clinic Diet: How to Make Keto Healthier
  7. Mayo Clinic: Low-Carb Diet
  8. Mayo Clinic: Atkins Diet
  9. NCBI StatPearls: Ketogenic Diet
  10. PMC: Ketogenic Diet — Evidence for Optimism
  11. PMC: Low-Carb and Ketogenic Patterns for Type 2 Diabetes
  12. American Diabetes Association Food Hub: Low Carb and Very Low Carb
  13. American Diabetes Association: Food and Nutrition
  14. Epilepsy Foundation: Ketogenic Diet
  15. The Charlie Foundation: Ketogenic Therapies
  16. Healthline: Ketogenic Diet 101
  17. Medical News Today: Ketogenic Diet
  18. WebMD: Keto Diet for Weight Loss
  19. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Diet Trends
  20. American Heart Association: Saturated Fats
  21. AHA: Fats Overview
  22. Harvard Nutrition Source: Fats and Cholesterol
  23. CDC: Losing Weight
  24. CDC: Diabetes and Healthy Eating
  25. NIDDK: Diabetes Diet and Activity
  26. NIDDK: Weight Management
  27. NIDDK: Kidney Stones
  28. MedlinePlus: Low-Carb Diet
  29. MedlinePlus: Protein in Diet
  30. MedlinePlus: Dietary Fiber
  31. NIH ODS: Fiber
  32. NIH ODS: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
  33. Dietary Guidelines for Americans
  34. USDA MyPlate
  35. WHO: Healthy Diet
  36. Mayo Clinic: Mediterranean Diet (comparison)
  37. Mayo Clinic: DASH Diet (comparison)
  38. NHLBI: DASH Eating Plan
  39. Cleveland Clinic: Carnivore Diet (comparison)
  40. Mayo Clinic: South Beach Diet (comparison)
  41. Diet Doctor: Keto for Beginners
  42. Ruled.me: Keto Food List
  43. EatingWell: Keto Recipes
  44. AHA: Nutrition Basics
  45. CDC: About Cholesterol
  46. NHLBI: High Blood Cholesterol
  47. EatRight: Heart Health
  48. Nutrition.gov: Basic Nutrition
  49. Epilepsy Foundation: Dietary Therapies
  50. Harvard Health: The Truth About Fats

Shop Keto Diet Related Products

Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this section go to commercial sites that sell keto books, meal kits, test strips, electrolytes, and pantry items. If you buy through a tagged affiliate URL, this directory may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Educational clinic and .gov links above are not affiliate offers. People on diabetes or blood-pressure medicine need clinician oversight before a sharp carb cut.

Books and Guides

Meal delivery and kits

Tests, electrolytes, and pantry

Programs and trackers

Note: A keto diet can help short-term weight and blood-sugar goals for some adults, but it is restrictive, can raise LDL, and is not automatically better than Mediterranean or DASH eating over years. Product mentions are for shopping convenience; they are not medical endorsements.

South Beach Diet

South Beach Diet

South Beach Diet
Food ingredients.for the South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet is a lower-carb, low-glycemic eating plan created by Miami cardiologist Arthur Agatston, M.D. He designed it to favor lean protein, high-fiber vegetables, and unsaturated fats while limiting refined starch and added sugar. Unlike a strict ketogenic diet, this diet’s rules do not force you to count every gram of carbohydrate after the first two weeks. A later keto-friendly version does cap carbs more tightly.

People use it for weight loss, fewer sugar cravings, and a more heart-conscious plate. It is a commercial plan, not a government protocol like DASH. Reviews from Mayo Clinic and WebMD say the later phases can be a reasonable way to eat if you keep portions honest and add fruit, beans, and whole grains back in. Phase 1 is the strictest stretch and is not meant to last.

South Beach Diet phases

Phase 1 lasts two weeks. You drop most bread, rice, pasta, fruit, juice, and alcohol. Meals center on seafood, skinless poultry, lean beef, eggs, tofu, low-fat dairy, nuts, seeds, olive oil, avocado, and non-starchy vegetables. The goal is to quiet cravings. Rapid loss of 8 to 13 pounds is often advertised; some of that is water. Side effects can include fatigue, constipation, or headache while carbs stay very low.

Phase 2 is the long weight-loss stage. You add “good carbs”: fruit, whole-grain bread, brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, beans, and some starchy vegetables. Loss usually slows to about 1 to 2 pounds a week. Stay here until you hit your goal.

Phase 3 is maintenance. There is no rigid food list. You keep lean protein, vegetables, and healthy fats as the base and limit sweets and refined grains. If cravings return, the plan says to step back to Phase 1 or 2 for a short reset.

South Beach Diet food list and a sample day

A Phase 1 day might be a spinach omelet with olive oil; grilled chicken salad with avocado; baked salmon with broccoli and zucchini; and snacks such as part-skim cheese or a turkey lettuce wrap. In Phase 2, add berries at breakfast or a small serving of quinoa at dinner. Pair the meal plan with walking and strength training. Compare South Beach vs Atkins if you want fewer rules on fat, or South Beach vs Mediterranean if you miss fruit and grains from day one.

The 50 links below cover clinic reviews, glycemic-index explainers, official South Beach recipes, and comparison pages so you can judge the plan against DASH, Mediterranean, and other health diets.

50 South Beach Diet Resources

  1. Mayo Clinic: South Beach Diet
  2. WebMD: South Beach Diet Review
  3. Medical News Today: South Beach Diet Phases
  4. Everyday Health: How the South Beach Diet Works
  5. Everyday Health: Phase 1 Grocery List
  6. Healthline: South Beach Diet Review
  7. Wikipedia: South Beach Diet
  8. South Beach Diet Official Site
  9. The Palm: How the South Beach Diet Works
  10. The Palm: South Beach Diet Recipes
  11. The Palm: Phase 2 / Maintenance Lunch
  12. South Beach Diet Foods to Enjoy PDF
  13. Harvard Health: The Diet Review (includes South Beach)
  14. Harvard Health: Glycemic Index of Foods
  15. Harvard Nutrition Source: Carbs and Blood Sugar
  16. Harvard Nutrition Source: Healthy Weight
  17. CDC: Losing Weight
  18. CDC: Healthy Eating
  19. NIDDK: Weight Management
  20. NIDDK: Choosing a Weight-Loss Program
  21. USDA MyPlate
  22. Dietary Guidelines for Americans
  23. American Heart Association: Healthy Eating
  24. AHA: Nutrition Basics
  25. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Weight Loss
  26. EatRight: Glycemic Index Explained
  27. MedlinePlus: Weight Control
  28. MedlinePlus: Diets
  29. Mayo Clinic: Atkins Diet
  30. Mayo Clinic: Low-Carb Diet
  31. Mayo Clinic: Mediterranean Diet
  32. Mayo Clinic: DASH Diet
  33. Mayo Clinic: Weight Loss Basics
  34. Cleveland Clinic: Keto Diet
  35. Cleveland Clinic: Low-Carb Diet
  36. Cleveland Clinic: Carbohydrates
  37. NHS: Managing Your Weight
  38. Nutrition.gov: Basic Nutrition
  39. Prevention: South Beach Diet Recipes
  40. Penguin Random House: The South Beach Diet Cookbook
  41. Penguin Random House: The New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet
  42. Harvard Health: The Truth About Fats
  43. AHA: Fats
  44. Dietary Guidelines Online Materials
  45. NIDDK: Diabetes Diet and Activity
  46. CDC: Diabetes and Healthy Eating
  47. U.S. News: Best Diets
  48. EatRight: Heart Health
  49. NHLBI: DASH Eating Plan (comparison)
  50. WHO: Healthy Diet

Shop Related Products

Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this section go to commercial sites that sell South Beach Diet books, meal programs, groceries, and kitchen tools. If you buy through a tagged affiliate URL, this directory may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Educational clinic and .gov links above are not affiliate offers. Phase 1 is restrictive; talk with a clinician before a very-low-carb start if you take medicine for diabetes or blood pressure.

Books and cookbooks

Official program and meal delivery

Grocery, seasonings, and tools

Programs and trackers

Note: The South Beach Diet can help some people lose weight by cutting refined carbs, but Phase 1 is not a long-term pattern and it does not replace medical care. Product mentions are for shopping convenience; they are not medical endorsements.

Mind Diet

Mind Diet
Mind Diet, food for brain health and good memory: fresh salmon, vegetables, nuts, berries on black background. Foods to boost brain power, top view, copy space

MIND Diet: Brain-Healthy Eating From Mediterranean and DASH

This diet is a brain-focused eating plan. MIND stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay. Researchers at Rush University built it from two patterns you already cover on this site: the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet. The goal is cognitive health—slowing decline and lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s disease—by scoring how often you eat a short list of brain-healthy foods and how often you limit five less helpful groups.

A MIND diet food list is simple. Eat more leafy greens, other vegetables, berries, nuts, olive oil, whole grains, beans, fish, and poultry. Use wine only if your clinician agrees, and only in small amounts. Limit red meat, butter and stick margarine, cheese, fried food, and pastries or sweets. People who follow the pattern closely in observational studies tend to have better memory scores later in life. It is not a drug and it does not replace medical care.

How to follow a MIND diet meal plan

Aim for leafy greens most days and another vegetable daily. Add berries at least twice a week. Choose olive oil as the main fat. Eat fish about once a week, beans most days, and poultry instead of frequent red meat. Snack on a small handful of nuts. A practical day: oatmeal with blueberries; a salad with beans, olive oil, and leftover chicken; salmon or a bean stew with farro and greens. That plate also fits many health diets and a flexitarian diet if you skip meat some nights.

Watch portions if weight change is a goal. Nuts, oil, and cheese add calories quickly. Pair this diet with walking, sleep, and blood-pressure care—the same habits DASH already targets. If you take blood thinners or have kidney disease, ask before you jump leafy-green servings or change how much fish you eat.

Trusted MIND Diet and Brain-Health Resources

  1. Rush University: MIND Diet and Alzheimer’s Risk
  2. Rush University: MIND Diet and Cognitive Decline
  3. National Institute on Aging: Alzheimer’s and Dementia
  4. NIA: Diet and Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease
  5. NHLBI: DASH Eating Plan
  6. Mayo Clinic: DASH Diet
  7. Mayo Clinic: Mediterranean Diet
  8. Mayo Clinic: Alzheimer’s Prevention
  9. Harvard Nutrition Source: MIND Diet Review
  10. Harvard: Healthy Eating Plate
  11. Alzheimer’s Association
  12. Alzheimer’s Association: Prevention
  13. U.S. News: MIND Diet Profile
  14. Oldways: Mediterranean Diet
  15. American Heart Association: Mediterranean Diet
  16. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  17. MedlinePlus: Alzheimer’s Disease
  18. Healthline: MIND Diet
  19. Medical News Today: MIND Diet
  20. EatingWell: MIND Diet Beginner’s Guide

Shop MIND Diet Products

Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this section go to commercial sites. If you buy through a tagged URL, this directory may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Educational links above are not affiliate offers. Cookbooks and meal kits can support the pattern; they do not treat dementia.MIND diet cookbooks and brain-health guides

MIND diet cookbooks and brain-health guides

Meal kits that fit leafy greens, fish, and olive oil

MIND pantry staples

Programs and tools

Note: The MIND diet is a research-based eating pattern for brain health. It does not diagnose or treat Alzheimer’s disease. Talk with a clinician before large diet changes, especially if you take medicine that interacts with vitamin K, potassium, or fish oil.

Flexitarian Diet

Flexitarian Diet

Flexitarian Diet: A Flexible Plant-Forward Eating Plan

The flexitarian diet is a semi-vegetarian pattern: most meals are built from plants, and meat, poultry, or fish show up when you want them. Dietitian Dawn Jackson Blatner popularized the name. U.S. News often ranks the flexitarian diet near the top of best diets overall because it is easier to keep than a strict vegetarian or vegan diet and still tracks with a plant-based diet for heart and metabolic health.

A flexitarian meal plan leans on vegetables, fruit, whole grains, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, and dairy or fortified alternatives. Eggs are common. Fish can be a weekly protein. Red meat is the item you cut back first. You do not need a scorecard, but beginners often start with a few meatless dinners each week, then grow toward meatless lunches as well. Meatless Monday is one simple on-ramp.

Similar in benefits to DASH or Mediterranean Diets with focus on avoiding meat based ingredients.

What to eat on a flexitarian diet

Fill half the plate with vegetables. Use beans, lentils, tofu, or eggs as the default protein. Choose brown rice, oats, whole-wheat pasta, or corn tortillas. Cook with olive oil. Keep yogurt, cheese, and milk if you tolerate them. When you eat animal protein, pick smaller portions of fish, poultry, or lean meat and treat them as a side, not the whole plate. Ultra-processed meat substitutes are optional; whole legumes usually cost less and add more fiber.

A sample day: oatmeal with berries and walnuts; a chickpea-vegetable bowl with tahini; salmon or a lentil stew with salad. That pattern overlaps the Mediterranean diet and many health diets already on this site. It also works next to DASH if you watch sodium. A flexitarian diet is not automatically low-calorie. Portions, oils, cheese, and desserts still count if weight change is a goal.

Trusted Flexitarian and Plant-Forward Resources

  1. U.S. News: Flexitarian Diet Profile
  2. U.S. News: Best Diets Overall
  3. Mayo Clinic: Vegetarian Diet
  4. Mayo Clinic: Mediterranean Diet
  5. Harvard: Healthy Eating Plate
  6. Harvard Nutrition Source: Plate and Planet
  7. Oldways: Vegetarian and Vegan Diet
  8. Oldways: Mediterranean Diet
  9. USDA MyPlate
  10. Dietary Guidelines for Americans
  11. Nutrition.gov
  12. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  13. American Heart Association: Plant-Forward Eating
  14. American Diabetes Association: Food and Nutrition
  15. WHO: Healthy Diet
  16. NHS: Eating a Balanced Diet
  17. Vegetarian Resource Group
  18. Vegetarian Times
  19. Healthline: Flexitarian Diet Guide
  20. Medical News Today: Flexitarian Diet
  21. EatingWell: Vegetarian Recipes
  22. BBC Good Food: Flexitarian Recipes

Shop Flexitarian Diet Products – Plant-Based Diet

Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this section go to commercial sites. If you buy through a tagged URL, this directory may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Educational links above are not affiliate offers. Plant-based packaged foods vary in sodium and protein; read labels.

Flexitarian and plant-forward cookbooks

Meal kits and prepared meals (easy meatless nights)

Grocery staples for a flexitarian kitchen

Programs and kitchen tools for Flexitarian Diet

Note: The flexitarian diet is a flexible pattern, not a medical prescription. People who cut most animal foods should watch protein, iron, B12, iodine, and calcium, and check changes with a clinician if they have a diagnosed condition.

5 Great Natural Remedies

5 Great Natural Remedies Every Home Should Have

5 Great Natural Remedies
Jason Leung

 

Trying to eat clean and ensure you only put safe foods into your body may mean swapping out some harmful products for safer and more natural alternatives. This could apply to remedies and medicines, as well as your daily meals and snacks. There are many ingredients which you may have in your kitchen cupboard which will make great natural remedies.

Here are 5 Great Natural Remedies that you must have:

1. Turmeric

It’s difficult to start reading about natural remedies without coming across turmeric. This food has many health benefits, which is why it has been used to decades in Indian cooking. In addition to giving food color, it acts as a strong anti-inflammatory and works for relieving joint pain and aches.

2. Ginger

It’s not expensive and it’s easy to get your hands on. Many people have fresh ginger or ground ginger in the kitchen cupboard, hence, adding a bit of it to your meals can help to keep you in top shape. Also it has been known to help relieve the pain associated with arthritis. You can add crushed ginger to salads and stir fries, or mix some into a glass of warm water.

3. Olive oil

A kitchen isn’t complete without a bottle of olive oil, and there are many things you can use it for besides cooking. You can use olive oil on your hair to help it retain healthy oils and stay smooth and shiny, also you can use it on your skin as a moisturizer. Olive oil also acts as an anti-inflammatory, hence it’s a good idea to drizzle some over salads and other meals.

4. Cayenne pepper

Consuming cayenne pepper means you’ll benefit from its anti-inflammatory properties, but it can be used externally too. You can make your own cayenne cream for joint aches using two popular kitchen ingredients – cayenne pepper and coconut oil. For every half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper, mix in 2-3 teaspoons of warm coconut oil. You can use warm water if you don’t have coconut oil available at home.

5. Cinnamon

Cinnamon has many uses, including helping to fend off a common cold. In addition, consuming cinnamon can also help to keep down your sugar levels if you suffer from Type 2 Diabetes. If you have any problems with your liver, you should be careful how much cinnamon you eat. In conclusion, as with many other things, eating cinnamon in moderation will ensure you stay safe and enjoy maximum benefits from this natural remedy.

Finally, these 5 Great Natural Remedies will become part of your wellness routine. Try them!

Natural Remedies

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Breakfast Quinoa Recipe

Breakfast Quinoa Recipe

Breakfast Quinoa Recipe

 

Breakfast Quinoa Ingredients:

  • 1/2 Cup of Cherry Tomatoes
  • 1/4 tsp of Salt
  • 1/8 tsp of Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp of Italian Herbs
  • 2 tbsp of Olive Oil
  • 1-1/2 Cups of Cooked Quinoa
  • 2 Cups of Spinach Leaves, raw
  • 1 Fried Egg

Instructions:

  1. Slice Tomatoes.
  2. Add Salt, Garlic Powder, Italian Herbs and Olive Oil. Hand mx all ingredients well.
  3. Add Quinoa and stir.
  4. On a serving plate place Quinoa Mix.
  5. Next to it place Spinach Leaves.
  6. Place Egg on top.
  7. Serve and Enjoy.

Cooking Quinoa is very simple,

On a covered pot warm 2 cups of water or vegetable stock and 1 Cup of quinoa. Over medium heat cook for 10 minutes stirring occasionally. Once water has been absorbed, fluff quinoa with a fork and it is ready to serve.

Quinoa Facts:

  1. Lower calories than rice.
  2. High Fiber Content.
  3. High Protein Content.
  4. Low Glycemic Index.
  5. Gluten Free.

Enjoy this easy to prepare Quinoa Breakfast Recipe.



Healthier Christmas Dinner Ideas

Healthier Christmas Dinner Ideas.

5 Healthier Christmas Dinner Ideas
Annie Spratt

If you are trying to lose weight or avoid weight gain during the holidays, it can be a little difficult when it is time for Christmas dinner. Luckily, there are some ways to have healthier dishes and still feel like you weren’t missing out.

Here are some different healthier Christmas dinner ideas.

1. Mashed Sweet Potato and Cauliflower

This is a great alternative to traditional mashed potatoes, using cauliflower and sweet potato instead, which are healthier and far less calories and carbohydrates. The combination of them makes for a colorful and flavorful side dish for your Christmas dinner. To make the dish, you want to add both sweet potato and cauliflower to a food processor to make a mash, then add in Greek yogurt instead of butter, milk, and seasonings like salt, pepper, and garlic salt. Keeping  carbs low is always a great idea.

2. Cranberry Almond Salad

This salad is a good replacement for just about any side dish, but especially the more fattening ones like green bean casserole. You will use spinach as your greens, then add some toasted and slivered almonds and dried cranberries on top. You can use a standard oil and vinegar dressing, or make a sesame seed dressing for the salad with apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, and sesame seeds.

3. Gingerbread Loaf

For a dessert after dinner that is low in calories, make a gingerbread loaf. This is a clean eating recipe containing molasses, ginger, vanilla extract, maple syrup, applesauce, and eggs. You will also need cinnamon, nutmeg, whole wheat flour, baking soda, cloves, baking powder, and salt. It is a really simple recipe that just requires these ingredients and a standard loaf pan.    Choose whether or not you want icing on top.

4. Whole Wheat Rolls

Dinner rolls are often a favorite for Christmas dinner, but standard white rolls are filled with carbs and not always good for you. If you still want rolls, a healthier option is to make whole wheat ones. You can use whole wheat flour, coconut butter instead of regular butter and pure honey to make them delicious, yet better for you. Instant yeast, salt, and an egg are also going to be used for the rolls.

5. Cauliflower Rice Stuffing

Instead of making regular bread stuffing, why not use cauliflower rice and turn it into a healthier version of stuffing? Cauliflower can be made into a rice consistency with your food processor. You will then combine the cauliflower rice with onion, olive oil, celery, mushrooms, seasonings, herbs, red wine vinegar, and pecans.

These 5 Healthier Christmas Dinner Ideas will make a great menu. Enjoy!

Garlic Chive Cauliflower Mash – Healthy Recipe

Garlic Chive Cauliflower Mash

Garlic Chive Cauliflower MashThis flavorful garlic chive cauliflower mash pairs well with a wide range of beef, pork, chicken, and plant-based entrees. Plus, it comes together in under 30 minutes, so it is perfect for those busy weeknights when you want to get a healthy dinner on the table without too much fuss.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4
Tip: Steaming the garlic along with the cauliflower will remove the raw edge and make it more tender.

Ingredients:

1 medium cauliflower head, florets only
2-3 whole garlic cloves, peeled
2 T. extra virgin olive oil
2 T. unsweetened almond milk
1 t. garlic powder
1 t. onion powder
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
3 T. fresh chives, chopped

Directions:

1. Place the cauliflower florets and the garlic cloves into a steamer basket set over a pot of gently boiling water. Cover and steam until the cauliflower is fork-tender, around 15 minutes.

2. Transfer the cauliflower and garlic to a food processor or blender and add the olive oil, almond milk, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and process until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the seasonings, as desired.

3. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with fresh chives before serving. Enjoy!

Enjoy this delicious Garlic Chive Cauliflower Mash – It is healthy and Nutritious!.

As with many other healthy diets, using natural ingredients guarantees an active and clean life style.

Additionally, vitamins are preserved when lower cooking temperatures are used.

Check for more healthy recipes in our blogs at Weightloss and Wellness

Paleo Diet – How to Do It While Traveling

Paleo Diet – You Can Also Do It While on The Road.

Paleo Diet
eloneo / Pixabay

As you probably know, the paleo diet relies on eating what you might have been able to hunt or forage during the Paleolithic age. It is also known as the ‘Stone Age Diet”.

This means cutting out anything that is processed, from grains like wheat and rye, to processed cheese, hydrogenated oils, and most carbohydrates. You are going to follow a diet that is high in good fats and moderate in animal fats, with plenty of produce mixed in as well, along with nuts and seeds.

 

The paleo diet is a great option, with similar results to low carb diets if you want to lose weight, maintain your current weight, or become healthier. You are no longer eating sugar or processed foods, which can be very beneficial to your overall health, not just your figure. When you are at home, it is easy to stay on track because you have a full-size refrigerator and kitchen at your disposal. With this type of diet, you aren’t buying any packaged foods, so the majority of your meals are homemade. This isn’t an option when you are traveling, so you need to get creative and think a little bit outside the box.

The following information provides you with some tips and tricks for staying on the paleo diet as much as possible while traveling. Keep in mind the general recommendation is to stick to the paleo diet 80% of the time. So while it is good to try to bring plenty of food on your trip that follows with the paleo diet, don’t worry if 20% of your diet isn’t necessarily paleo-approved.

The Importance of Preparation

If you are going to travel while remaining on the paleo diet, the first thing you need to do is give yourself plenty of time to prepare. One of the easiest ways to go completely off diet while traveling is when you assume you will be able to find what you need at a gas station or restaurant, then discover you can’t find any beef jerky or nuts and have to eat a bag of chips and a candy bar instead. Make sure when planning your vacation, whether going by plane, train, car, or even on a cruise ship, that you know what to expect and plan accordingly.

Research Your Accommodations

The first step to planning for your trip is to research the type of accommodations you will have. For example, if you are headed on a road trip, you might be stopping at a few hotels along the way. Instead of just stopping when you get tired and sleeping overnight, know exactly where you are going to stop. This helps you to find hotels with a microwave and fridge, which will help you store and prepare food while you are there. It also helps you choose hotels with something to offer, such as eggs and bacon for breakfast, or a nearby restaurant where you can choose something paleo diet friendly.

Look Up What is Around

You also want to know what is going to be around in regards to your trip. Perhaps you are staying at a vacation resort. You already know that room service and a continental breakfast is offered, but that isn’t going to feed you for a week or however long you are on vacation. Look up fast-food restaurants, delis, cafes, and sit-down restaurants in the area to find out where you can go. Look up their menus online so you can decide ahead of time what you will order. This not only takes all the guesswork out of what to order when you get there, but it lets you know exactly how much food you need to bring with you.

Make a List of Paleo Diet -Approved Snacks

When you are preparing for your trip, make sure you are making a list of the snacks to be brought with you. You want to know what snacks need to be kept cool either in the car or in the hotel room, as well as snacks that can be left out. Make sure you have a good combination of snacks so you aren’t eating just nuts and beef jerky for the entire trip. Have a good variety of snacks that are a variation of what you would eat at home.

Start Prepping Your Snacks

Now that you know what snacks you are going ot bring on the trip, you can get them prepared. If you just bring a big bag of jerky, a jar of nuts, and another bag of produce, you might eat too much in the beginning of your trip, run out, and have to try and find things at a convenience store. A better option for the planning stage is to take all of your snacks and put them in individual portion bags. This allows you to select just one snack-sized baggie of whatever food you are having so that you can control how much you eat and have enough for the entire trip.

What to Look For in a Hotel

Now that you understand why the planning stage is so important for your vacation, you can start looking for a hotel with the right amenities and the right location. Your hotel choice is really important when you are trying to stick to the paleo diet. It ensures there are enough amenities in the room and places to eat around the hotel that keep you from hitting up McDonald’s for French fries or getting a muffin from the continental breakfast. Convenience food can be very tempting and easy, but if you planned it out right, your hotel should have everything you need. Here are some things to look for in a hotel:

Nearby Restaurants

First thing’s first: look for accommodations that are near places you can eat. While it is true you can adjust menus at just about every restaurant to a paleo diet, you don’t want to make it more difficult than you have to. Find a hotel with a lot of different restaurant choices so that you can look up all their menus online and make an educated decision. If the only restaurant between the hotel and civilization is a Denny’s, you will be good for a day or so, but then you’re going to get bored with the limited selections. Look for variety and different types of cuisine to make it interesting. This allows you to fully enjoy your vacation while also remaining on the paleo diet plan as much as possible.

Fridge and Microwave in the Room

It is also a good idea to find a hotel with a microwave and mini fridge in your room. This lets you bring food and snacks that need to be kept cold, while you can also bring some leftovers in containers and heat up your food in the microwave. The mini fridge is a little more convenient than a microwave since you could always eat leftovers cold, so really focus on looking for a hotel room with a fridge. You might need to call the hotel instead of making reservations online, because many hotels only have certain rooms with these amenities. It might cost you a little more for the special rooms, but the upgrade is well worth it when you need to have some meals in the room and want full control over what you eat.

Room Service or Continental Breakfast

Finally, don’t forget about the option of either breakfast served in the hotel or room service. Continental breakfast when there are just bagels, muffins, and cereal can be hard to find something paleo-approved. However, do find out exactly what is offered. Some hotels have a breakfast with some extras, such as fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, and breakfast meats. This does allow you to have a breakfast following the paleo diet. It is also good to have a hotel where room service is available. You can order up food that is approved by your paleo diet, whether you get steak and veggies, salmon, or a burger without the bun and fries. It is a good option when you are treating yourself to a nice vacation.

How to Keep Food Cold

There are some instances where you need to keep food cold without having access to a mini fridge. This applies to going on a road trip, being on the train, or even being in your hotel room. Here are some helpful ways to keep food cold in different situations:

On the Train or Bus

If you are traveling by bus or train, you are limited with your options of keeping your food cold. You will only be able to keep a small amount of food cold, and only for a short period of time. You can usually keep food cold for a few hours though, so planning ahead can really help you. For this type of travel, bring along an insulated lunch bag. It should be large enough to fit anything you are trying to keep cold, such as hard-boiled eggs, salad ingredients, or a paleo wrap you have prepared. Add some soft ice packs to the bottom, add your food, then put another ice pack on top. This should be enough to keep it cold for several hours.

In Your Car

When you travel by car, it is a little bit easier to keep more food colder for a longer period of time than if you are going by train or bus. You have more room to hold larger items, which means you can bring along an ice chest. There are three ways to keep food cold in an ice chest: with ice packs, actual ice, or with dry ice. Actual ice is good when you have a lot of extra room in the ice chest and can get more ice during your road trip. With dry ice, it keeps food cold for up to 24 hours while in your ice chest, which is good news for a road trip.

In a Hotel Room

Finally, you can keep food in your hotel room without a mini fridge. This is also another way you can use your ice chest, and keep buying ice or dry ice to add to it so your food stays cold. Another option is to fill the sink in the hotel room with ice, even with the ice you get from the ice machine that the hotel offers. This keeps small food or drink items cold for a short period of time. It isn’t ideal, but it definitely a good option when you are in a pinch.

Foods You Can Keep at Room Temperature

Don’t want to worry about keeping everything cold? There is no need to worry! You will be able to choose a lot of healthy foods and snacks for the paleo diet that are easy to bring with you and can be kept out on a table or counter when you are traveling. Whether you bring them in food containers in your car, keep them in your backpack during a trip on the train, or have them set up in your hotel room, they are no-fuss foods and snacks.

Shelf-Stable Paleo Snacks

* Beef jerky
* Hardboiled eggs (for a limited time)
* Tuna or sardines in a can or foil pouch
* Nuts or seeds, preferably raw and unsalted varieties
* Kale chips and other vegetable chips
* Seaweed
* Olives

Produce You Can Keep Out

* All types of berries
* Pears
* Apples
* Regular and cherry tomatoes
* Cherries
* Celery
* Carrots
* Broccoli
* Avocado
* Jicama
* Tangerines
* Dates
* Figs

Snacks to Bring On the Plane

The snacks you bring along on a plane are limited to your purse or carry-on bag only. You need to be careful with what you bring to ensure it is approved during check-in. And make sure it fits in your bag with your other belongings.

Road Trip Paleo Foods

Here are some snack options that are perfect for bringing with you on a road trip:

Homemade granola – If you like to make your own granola, bring some with you!. It is good to munch on without needing a big meal. It is also easy to eat if you are driving.

Paleo-friendly protein bars – Try making your own protein bars or getting some paleo protein bars before you leave. Make sure you look closely at the ingredients before buying.

Dried fruit – Dried fruit is always a good idea on a road trip. It lets you have some sweetness and get rid of that sugar cravings. Dried apricots and dried mango are excellent for road trips.

Dry roasted nuts – Instead of the plain raw almonds, mix it up with dry roasted nuts. Get them unsalted and get different types of nuts, such as cashews. These are really yummy and can feel more like a treat than anything else.

Hard-boiled eggs and cheese –Bring an ice chest with cold packs in your car, fill with cheese and hard-boiled eggs. These will keep cold for several hours and offer a protein-filled snack.

Sweet potato chips – Kale chips and sweet potato chips are highly recommended.

Selecting the Right Restaurants

Part of planning for your trip when you are on paleo is selecting restaurants and fast food joints you can eat from. However, this can get tiring, so don’t forget about sit-down restaurants.

Most types of cuisine will offer something you can eat. For example, many people think Mexican is out of the question, but it just depends what you get. Choose a dish that comes with meat and veggies, then just avoid the tortillas. You can get fajitas and have the grilled chicken and vegetables, as well as the salsa.

With sushi restaurants, you can eat all the raw sashimi you want, just avoid any rolls that contain rice. Instead of a California roll, go for a roll of raw tune instead. Seafood and steak restaurants are ideal, enjoy all the seafood, steak, and veggies, and leave behind the carb sides.

Don’t let your vacation keep you from your regular paleo diet lifestyle.

 

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