Keto Thanksgiving & Holiday Recipes - (2024)

FAQs

How do you survive Thanksgiving on keto? ›

There Are Plenty of Conscious Ways to Have a Keto Cheat Day

Or, if it's Thanksgiving, don't offer to cook green beans or turkey (which are already keto-compliant). Instead, bring a low-carb pumpkin pie or make mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes.

Nutritionists and keto practitioners advise against eating sweet potatoes on a keto diet due to their high carbohydrate content. But you may be able to consume it in very small servings. If you limit your carb intake to 50 grams per day, you can only consume a little over one medium-sized sweet potato.

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.

As you can see, bread is by far the food people miss the most, followed by dessert/sweets and beer. Below are our best suggestions for low-carb versions of these foods.

1.The First 10 Days May Be The Toughest

Before starting, you should be aware that if you drop carbs cold-turkey, the first few days you will most likely experience symptoms of your body adjusting to lack of glucose. Many people starting off keto will go through this and it's often referred to as the “Keto Flu”.

Regular Crust

This type of pizza crust can have up to 33g of carbs without any added sauce or cheese. If you're limiting your carbs to 20-50 grams per day, one slice of this type of crust will likely kick you out of ketosis.

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

Keto fruits by definition are low in carbohydrates. You still need to exercise portion control with most keto-friendly fruits to be within the limits of a keto diet. Keto-friendly fruits include avocados, watermelon, strawberries, lemons, tomatoes, raspberries, peaches, cantaloupe, star fruit, and blackberries.

Are bananas OK for keto? ›

Some of the best fruits to avoid on a keto diet include bananas, grapes, mangos, and pineapples since they are all relatively high in carbs. Dried fruits like raisins, dates, and apricots are also generally not keto-friendly since they are very high in carbs and sugar.

The bottom line. The ketogenic diet requires you to significantly cut back on carbs, which often means eliminating higher carb foods like fruit from your diet. Fortunately, compared with other fruits, watermelon is relatively low in carbs and can be enjoyed as part of a ketogenic diet.

Yes, rotisserie chicken is keto-friendly. It's a carb-free option and a great source of protein (20-25 grams of protein per portion size). But you need to be careful about the part of the whole chicken you eat since some options have a high-fat content (mostly from saturated fats).

Cold meats that are keto-friendly include most deli meats, like sliced turkey, ham, and roast beef. Most cold cuts and keto deli meats contain additives to extend their shelf life, so they may have small amounts of carbs.

Hot Dogs Are Keto-Friendly

Hot dogs are made with ingredients that are naturally low in carbs. An average hot dog is about 1.73 grams of total carbs. As for the bun, you can't have a conventional bun in order to follow the keto diet. The average hot dog bun will cost you 24.3 grams of total carbs.

A few general tips for making your Thanksgiving keto-friendly: Swap out mashed potatoes for mashed cauliflower, nix adding any flour to thicken recipes like green bean casserole or creamed spinach, and load up on the low-carb veggies like Brussels sprouts, spaghetti squash, and mushrooms.

Generally, the body is used to the regular consumption of carbohydrates, so the sudden change in diet can cause the body to react. The most common side effects of suddenly stopping a keto diet include fatigue, headaches, nausea, digestive issues, increased appetite and cravings, sugar cravings, and mood swings.

Think About Protein

You should watch your protein intake as overeating protein can easily take your body out of ketosis. Think of your ratios and try to have smaller portions or fattier portions of meat. Plant-based alternatives can also be a good way to ensure you're not over-consuming protein.

Make sure you are eating enough fat. Being much more energy-dense than carbohydrates, fats are also more satiating. They will also ensure that you stay in ketosis. Increase the size of your meals with nutrient-dense foods.