Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Low-Carb Pumpkin, Sage & Browned Butter Zoodles

Low-Carb Pumpkin, Sage & Browned Butter Zoodles

A really hard thing for me over the years has been finding meat-free recipes that both myself and my whole family can enjoy. As a self-confessed bacon lover, our family occasionally liked to eat “meat-lite” meals. Vegetarian keto… but with bacon added.

But I really wanted to nail some delicious meat-free dinners and saw a chef on tv using pumpkin, sage and browned butter in something else. My mouth started to water and I found myself thinking “Hmmmmm…” I can report back that no bacon was required.

This meal is not ultra low in carbs although it can still be included in a keto diet. Just keep that in mind if your carb limit is very low. Enjoy!

Preparation time
Hands-on:    15 minutes
Overall:     40 minutes
Nutritional values (per serving)
Total Carbs 16.3 grams
Fiber 3.2 grams
Net Carbs 13.1 grams
Protein 6.1 grams
Fat 31.3 grams
of which Saturated 12.7 grams
Energy 352 kcal
Magnesium 81 mg (20% RDA)
Potassium 900 mg (45% EMR)

Macronutrient ratio: Calories from carbs (15%), protein (7%), fat (78%)

Ingredients (makes 6 servings)
  • 1/2 medium pumpkin such as delicata or Hokkaido (800 g/ 1.8 lb)
  • 1 stick butter (113 g/ 4 oz)
  • 3 tbsp fresh sage or 2-3 tsp dried sage
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 clove of garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth or vegetable stock (240 ml/ 8 fl oz)
  • 1 tsp sea salt, or to taste
  • 4 medium zucchini (800 g/ 1.8 lb)
  • 6 tbsp shaved or grated Parmesan or cheese of choice (30 g/ 1.1 oz)
  • 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (90 ml/ 3 fl oz)
Instructions
  1. Wash and pat dry the squash, sage and zucchini.
  2. Pull the larger leaves off the sage and sit aside. Finely chop the remaining sage.
  3. Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the sage. Wait until the sage crisps up and then remove the whole leaves and drain on a paper towel.
  4. Stir the butter over med-high heat until it foams. Continue stirring, watching the colour of the butter beneath the foam until it turns a rich, dark brown.

  5. Remove from the heat and add the finely diced onion and the garlic. Let them sit in the hot butter while you prepare the pumpkin.
  6. Peel the pumpkin, remove the seeds and cut into cubes. Some types of winter squash like Hokkaido do not require peeling.

  7. Place pumpkin in the pot, along with the broth. Bring to the boil and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer gently for about 10-15 minutes or until pumpkin is soft.
  8. Using a hand blender, blitz the mixture until it forms a smooth sauce.
  9. Prepare your zoodles in the way that you prefer (use a julienne peeler or a spiralizer). Toss them through the sauce. You can either serve them raw or cook them in the sauce for 2-5 minutes.
  10. Serve topped with the fried sage leaves and some shaved Parmesan. Drizzle with olive oil.
  11. Store sauce in a covered container, for up to five days.
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Tuesday, March 12, 2019

DIY Keto Protein Shake

DIY Keto Protein Shake

Low-carb diets have been gaining popularity over the last few years, and as a result more keto products have become available online and even in supermarkets. However, many products are not truly low-carb or suitable for a whole foods based diet.

They may look healthy and low-carb at first glance but the moment you look at the list of ingredients it's a completely different story. You'll find blood sugar-spiking sweeteners like Sorbitol and Maltitol, soy, artificial food colouring and other ingredients to be avoided.

There are simply not many "clean" brands. The one I recommend and use myself is Perfect Keto. Although I personally don't use any exogenous ketone products, I love Perfect Keto bars and nut butter, and use their collagen powder and MCT powder to make keto shakes and smoothies.

Keto shakes are quick to prepare but they are not always ideal for travelling because you can't take them on the plane. That's why I make my own dry keto shake mix. I simply combine all the dry ingredients in a jar, close with a lid and shake. You can make single serve jars like I do, or make it in batches and just measure out as much as you need. I use third to half of a cup for a full meal, or quarter of a cup to make a quick filling snack.

You can prepare the shake by mixing it with 1 to 1 1/2 cups of unsweetened almond milk or any nut or seed milk to make a high-protein shake. You can also use coconut milk to make a high-protein and high-fat shake, or even use some heavy whipping cream diluted with water. I like to make mine with 2 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream and about a cup of unsweetened almond milk.

If you fly and can't take any liquids at all, you can even add powdered coconut milk, coconut cream or powdered dairy cream to your dry mix, and then combine it with plain water. I included several options below. You can fine-tune the amounts and flavour to your liking.

Add-ons and substitutions
  • Egg white protein powder (isolate): sweetener-free or with low-carb sweeteners.
  • Whey protein powder (isolate): sweetener-free or with low-carb sweeteners.
  • Plant-based, soy-free protein powder such as pea protein powder: sweetener-free or with low-carb sweeteners.
  • Almond flour or almond butter is you can use a blender. These single packs are perfect for keto smoothies and shakes.
  • Collagen Powder, flavoured or plain.
  • MCT Oil Powder, flavoured or plain. You can also add liquid MCT oil into the shake together with the mixing liquid.
  • Coconut milk powder or full-fat dairy cream powder (beware of added starches commonly found in many brands) if you are looking for a complete travel shake and can't use regular dairy cream, coconut cream or almond milk.
  • Ground chia seeds can substituted with flax meal, ground nuts or coconut flour. These will make your shake thick and creamy (each will result in different thickness so keep that in mind).
  • Low-carb sweetener can be skipped or used to taste.

Disclaimer: I'm an affiliate for Perfect Keto. It's a product I genuinely like and use. If you purchase any items through my links, I will earn a commission but you will not pay more. Actually, if you use my KETODIET promo code at the check out, you will pay 20% less.

Preparation time
Hands-on:    15 minutes
Overall:     40 minutes
Nutritional values (per serving, 1/3 cup dry shake mix)
Total Carbs 6.9 grams
Fiber 4.5 grams
Net Carbs 2.4 grams
Protein 16.7 grams
Fat 2.7 grams
of which Saturated 0.7 grams
Energy 102 kcal
Magnesium 39 mg (10% RDA)
Potassium 120 mg (6% EMR)

Macronutrient ratio: Calories from carbs (10%), protein (66%), fat (24%)

Ingredients (makes about 1 cup + 2 tbsp dry mix/ 3 servings) Chocolate shake mix: Serving suggestions:

Mix about 1/3 cup of the dry shake mix with 1 cup (240 ml) to 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) liquids — one type or a combination of unsweetened almond milk, cashew milk, coconut milk and water. You can also use 2-4 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream mixed with water.

Instructions
  1. Place all the dry ingredients in a jar. Close with a lid and shake well.
  2. To make the shake, mix with your preferred option: water, unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk or cream mixed with water. Serve a third to half cup for a full meal replacement, or quarter cup for a quick snack.
Other Dry mix options Cinnamon & vanilla shake mix:
  • 3/4 cup collagen powder (75 g/ 2.7 oz)
  • 1/4 cup powdered Erythritol or Swerve (40 g/ 1.4 oz)
  • 2 tbsp ground chia seeds or flax meal (16 g/ 0.6 oz)
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean powder
Berry shake mix:
  • 1/2 cup collagen powder (50 g/ 1.8 oz)
  • 1/4 Erythritol or Swerve (40 g/ 1.4 oz)
  • 2 tbsp ground chia seeds or flax meal (16 g/ 0.6 oz)
  • 1/4 cup freeze-dried berries (blueberry, blackberry, raspberry or strawberry) (20 g/ 0.7 oz)
Mocha shake mix:
  • 1/2 cup collagen powder (50 g/ 1.8 oz)
  • 1/4 cup powdered Erythritol or Swerve (40 g/o 1.1 oz)
  • 2 tbsp ground chia seeds or flax meal (16 g/ 0.6 oz)
  • 1/4 cup cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder (16 g/ 0.6 oz)
  • 1 tsp instant coffee powder
Matcha shake mix:
  • 3/4 cup collagen powder (75 g/ 2.7 oz)
  • 1/4 cup powdered Erythritol or Swerve (40 g/ 1.4 oz)
  • 2 tbsp ground chia seeds or flax meal (16 g/ 0.6 oz)
  • 2 tsp matcha powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean powder
Golden milk shake mix:
  • 3/4 cup collagen powder (75 g/ 2.7 oz)
  • 1/4 cup powdered Erythritol or Swerve (40 g/ 1.4 oz)
  • 2 tbsp ground chia seeds or flax meal (16 g/ 0.6 oz)
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla powder
  • 1/2 tsp ginger powder
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
Chai spice shake mix:
  • 3/4 cup collagen powder (75 g/ 2.7 oz)
  • 1/4 cup powdered Erythritol or Swerve (40 g/ 1.4 oz)
  • 2 tbsp ground chia seeds or flax meal (16 g/ 0.6 oz)
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ginger powder
  • 1/4 tsp allspice
  • 1/4 tsp fennel seeds
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp cloves
  • 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla powder
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
Pumpkin pie spice shake mix:
  • 3/4 cup collagen powder (75 g/ 2.7 oz)
  • 1/4 cup powdered Erythritol or Swerve (40 g/ 1.4 oz)
  • 2 tbsp ground chia seeds or flax meal (16 g/ 0.6 oz)
  • 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
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Monday, March 11, 2019

Low-Carb Irish Mule Cocktail

Low-Carb Irish Mule Cocktail

These keto Irish mules are perfect for your Saint Patrick's Day celebrations!

Low-carb mixed drinks are hard to come by but making them at home is super easy. If you prefer to use vodka, you can make these Low-Carb Russian Mules instead.

We’re getting a little help from a stevia-sweetened ginger beer and using fresh lime juice instead of mixers. I was able to find Zevia ginger beer at our local grocer so look for that brand or leave other options you know of in the comments below. If you can't find sugar-free options, you can even make your own ginger beer — it's easy!

For more trips on low-carb and keto-friendly drinks, check out our Low-Carb Guide to Alcohol.

Preparation time
Hands-on:    5 minutes
Overall:     5 minutes
Nutritional values (per serving)
Total Carbs 2.9 grams
Fiber 0.2 grams
Net Carbs 2.7 grams
Protein 0.2 grams
Fat 0.1 grams
of which Saturated 0 grams
Energy 139 kcal
Magnesium 8 mg (2% RDA)
Potassium 55 mg (3% EMR)

Macronutrient ratio: Calories from carbs (88%), protein (6%), fat (6%)

Ingredients (makes 1 servings)

Note: If you are using my Homemade Low-Carb Ginger Beer, you'll need to mix 2 tablespoons (1 fl oz) of the Ginger Beer concentrate + 3/4 cup sparkling water.

Instructions
  1. Add the ice to a copper mug and top with lime juice, Irish whiskey, and ginger beer.

  2. Give it a stir and garnish with a slice of lime.
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Announcing the New Free KetoDiet Quiz App!

Announcing the New Free KetoDiet Quiz App!

Hi Friends, I have great news for you!

Almost eight years after releasing our top rated KetoDiet App, and less than six months after releasing our free Keto App, we are so excited to announce the release of our latest project — the KetoDiet Quiz App!

Initially, we developed an online version of the KetoDiet quiz which you can still find here. It proved to be so popular that we decided to create mobile versions for both iOS and Android. This way you can play the quiz no matter where you are, without Internet connection.

It's 100% free and available to download on both Android and iOS (iPhone & iPad).

As always our primary focus is the "planning & tracking" KetoDiet App, and in fact, we have just released a new update with 50 new low-carb and keto recipes developed exclusively for the KetoDiet App and not found on my blog. We also added thousands of restaurant meals to help you stay keto while travelling. Stay tuned for more updates with new features coming soon!

What is the KetoDiet Quiz App?

The Keto Diet Quiz is a fun way to learn about healthy low-carb eating. All quiz questions are factual and science-based with references to relevant online resources.

The quiz contains thousands of questions from various categories & difficulty levels. Each game you play consists of 15 random questions of increasing difficulty levels. At the end of each game you can see a summary of your answers and relevant online resources for each quiz question. You can even share your score with your friends and challenge them to take the keto diet quiz.

Is the KetoDiet Quiz Really 100% Free?⠀

Yes, absolutely!

Just like our community project, the Keto App, the KetoDiet Quiz App is 100% free which means:

  • no subscriptions
  • no adds
  • no sign-ups
  • complete user privacy⠀

Our goal is to spread the message that low-carb eating is not just about weight loss; it’s about adopting a healthier lifestyle. That is why the KetoDiet Quiz App is — and will always be — free.

How Can You Help?

We will be working on the KetoDiet Quiz App in our free time and will add more questions to make low-carb & keto easy and fun!

This is just the first release of the KetoDiet Quiz App. We can’t wait to add more features based on your feedback!

The best way to support this project and help us spread the message is to leave a review on the App Store and Google Play. Your review will help increase the exposure of the KetoDiet Quiz App and encourage other users to download it. This way more people will be able to discover it and benefit from the ketogenic lifestyle. Thank you!❤️

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Sunday, March 10, 2019

Healthy Keto Shamrock Shake

Healthy Keto Shamrock Shake

This fun low-carb and sugar-free milkshake is the perfect keto recipe for Saint Patrick's Day! I used the No-Churn Keto Vanilla Ice-Cream recipe so keep in mind that it will take an extra 4 hours to prepare it the ice cream. I added peppermint extract and a splash of natural food coloring for that pop of green.

I love the mint flavor here and if you want you could even add a bit of dark chocolate! I like to mix together a bit of cocoa powder and coconut oil with stevia drops to create a delicious high-fat fudge sauce for the topping — now that is delicious!

Preparation time
Hands-on:    5 minutes
Overall:     5 minutes
Nutritional values (per serving)
Total Carbs 2.9 grams
Fiber 0 grams
Net Carbs 2.9 grams
Protein 4.6 grams
Fat 30.9 grams
of which Saturated 18.8 grams
Energy 318 kcal
Magnesium 9 mg (2% RDA)
Potassium 147 mg (7% EMR)

Macronutrient ratio: Calories from carbs (4%), protein (6%), fat (90%)

Ingredients (makes 2 servings)

Note: If you can't find natural food coloring, add a pinch of spirulina (blue) and a pinch of turmeric (yellow). Mixing these two ingredients will produce green color.

Instructions
  1. Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
  2. Divide between glasses. Top with whipped topping and serve.
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Thursday, March 7, 2019

Low-Carb Turkey & Veg Roll-Ups

Low-Carb Turkey & Veg Roll-Ups

These French onion turkey roll-ups are a great mid-day low-carb snack or light lunch that you can pack in your lunchboxes (just like all of these keto recipes) and take with you! They also make great party appetizers as well.

To add a bit more fat you could add some avocado to the roll-ups, otherwise these make a great low-carb, protein rich snack. I know for me personally it’s sometimes hard to get enough protein in my day so easy snacks like this are a lifesaver!

Preparation time
Hands-on:    10 minutes
Overall:     10 minutes
Nutritional values (per roll up)
Total Carbs 2 grams
Fiber 0.5 grams
Net Carbs 1.5 grams
Protein 8.4 grams
Fat 5.8 grams
of which Saturated 3.1 grams
Energy 86 kcal
Magnesium 11 mg (3% RDA)
Potassium 156 mg (8% EMR)

Macronutrient ratio: Calories from carbs (7%), protein (36%), fat (57%)

Ingredients (makes 16 roll ups) French Onion Spread:
  • 1 cup cream cheese (240 g/ 8.5 oz)
  • 1/4 cup minced shallots (40 g/ 1.4 oz)
  • 2 tbsp minced chives
  • pinch of sea salt
Roll-Ups:
  • 16 slices deli turkey (450 g/ 1 lb)
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced (165 g/ 5.8 oz)
  • 1 cucumber, thinly sliced (280 g/ 9.9 oz)
  • 1/2 cup microgreens or greens of choice (10 g/ 0.4 oz)

Note: Serve these rolls a quick snack/appetizer, or 4-6 rolls as a main dish.

Instructions
  1. Combine the ingredients for the french onion spread in a small bowl.
  2. Place a slice of turkey down and top with one tablespoon of the cheese mixture, sliced peppers, cucumber, and microgreens (keep enough for all 16 slices).
  3. Roll up and slice in half. Repeat with remaining turkey.
  4. Eat immediately, or store the ingredients separately for easy meal-prep. Serve individual rolls as an appetizer, or 4-6 rolls as a main dish.
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Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Low-Carb Fajita Salad

Low-Carb Fajita Salad

This keto Fajita Salad is packed with fiber, flavor, and spice! I’m obsessed with the dairy-free cilantro vinaigrette that acts as the salad dressing and as the marinade for the chicken thighs.

Along with the grilled chicken we’ve got grilled peppers, onions, avocado, jalapeños, and the lettuce of course. You could also swap out the chicken for flank steak (yum!), or even shrimp!

The cooked marinated chicken can be stored in the fridge for four days which makes this healthy low-carb salad ideal for meal prep and lunchboxes — it will only take a few minutes to prepare this nutritious keto salad.

Preparation time
Hands-on:    1 hour
Overall:     1 hour 25 minutes
Nutritional values (per serving)
Total Carbs 18.8 grams
Fiber 10.5 grams
Net Carbs 8.3 grams
Protein 26.3 grams
Fat 41 grams
of which Saturated 9.8 grams
Energy 533 kcal
Magnesium 80 mg (20% RDA)
Potassium 1,190 mg (60% EMR)

Macronutrient ratio: Calories from carbs (7%), protein (21%), fat (72%)

Ingredients (makes 4 servings) Marinade:
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (60 ml/ 2 fl oz)
  • 1/3 cup lime juice (80 ml/ 2.7 oz)
  • 1/4 cup cilantro leaves
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp sea salt
Fajitas:
  • 450 g boneless, skinless, chicken thighs (1 lb)
  • 1 large red bell pepper, sliced (210 g/ 7.4 oz)
  • 1/2 medium red or white onion, sliced (50 g/ 1.8 oz)
  • 2 tbsp ghee or butter (28 g/ 1 oz)
  • 2 heads Romaine lettuce or any green lettuce (400 g/ 14.1 oz)
  • 2 large avocados, diced or sliced (400 g/ 14.1 oz)
  • 2 jalapeños, sliced (28 g/ 1 oz)
Instructions
  1. Combine the marinade ingredients together in a blender and blend until smooth.
  2. Add half to a container with the chicken and marinate in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
    Reserve the rest for the dressing.

  3. Heat a large skillet over high heat, cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until slightly charred and cooked through.
    Remove, slice and set aside.
  4. Add the ghee to the skillet and add in the pepper and onion. Cook for 4-5 minutes until soft.

  5. To assemble, top the lettuce with the chicken, peppers, onion, avocado, and jalapeños. Top with dressing.
  6. Serve immediately, or store in the fridge for up to a day. The marinated and cooked chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
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