What Makes a Food or Ingredient Keto?
When following the ketogenic diet, it's essential to base your meals on low-carb foods. If you're unsure whether an ingredient fits into your ketogenic lifestyle, there are several factors to consider:
1) Keep Your Carbohydrate Intake Low
Your daily carbohydrate limit can vary between 20 and 50 grams of total carbs (or 15 to 30 grams of net carbs), allowing you to include a variety of meats, dairy, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds in your diet.
2) Always Consider the Serving Size
When counting carbs, pay attention to the "per serving" amount, such as one cup of broccoli, two eggs, half an avocado, one pork chop, or a quarter cup of berries. Some foods may appear high in carbohydrates per 100 grams, but you only need to use a small amount in recipes.
3) Quality Over Quantity
Food quality is just as important as carbohydrate content. Base your diet around healthy whole foods and avoid or minimize the consumption of ultra-processed foods, especially those high in sugar.
Cacao Nibs in Keto
You're likely already using cacao powder in your chocolate-flavored low-carb desserts, smoothies, and fat bombs. However, you might not be fully aware of cacao powder's nutritional profile and the incredible health benefits this superfood offers.
Rich in antioxidants, beneficial fats, and fiber, cacao can help lower blood pressure, aid in weight loss, and boost your mood, among other benefits. Cacao is one of the oldest known foods, with evidence of its use dating back thousands of years. The ancient Mayans and Aztecs valued cacao for its energy-boosting properties and health benefits.
Cacao beans, harvested from the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao), are cleaned and roasted to enhance their rich flavor. The outer shells are removed, leaving what we know as cacao nibs, which can be enjoyed on their own as a low-carb snack.
Although cacao nibs are a great keto-friendly snack, an even better alternative is our Koko Samoa Drinking Chocolate. It not only tastes better but also mixes well into anything, offering a smooth, rich chocolate experience with the same low-carb benefits.
High in Fats
While cacao nibs are high in fats, most of your fats should come from natural and minimally-processed sources like virgin olive oil, MCT oil, and grass-fed butter. It's important to get your fats from healthy sources so your body can burn clean fuel while in ketosis.
Minimally Processed
Cacao nibs are minimally processed and free of harmful ingredients, including non-keto sweeteners, highly refined oils, and food additives. However, if you're looking for an even more versatile and delicious option, our Koko Samoa Drinking Chocolate offers the same health benefits with the added convenience of easy mixing into any recipe.
