We have always heard how important it is to eat a varied diet, where vegetables should be part of 50% of our plate. In addition to bringing numerous benefits to our health, this type of food is also rich in nutrients necessary for the proper functioning of our body and plays a big role in your weight loss goals.
While we’re well aware of the benefits of this type of food, it may seem contradictory that not all vegetables are allowed on a ketogenic diet, and in this case on the Lev diet. That’s why we’re here to explain which are the keto friendly vegetables for your diet and which will help you reach your weight loss goal the fastest.
First of all, what is a ketogenic diet?
If you’ve made it this far you probably already have an idea of what a ketogenic diet is, but let’s remind you:
The ketogenic diet is a diet low in carbohydrates and high in protein and healthy fats. What differentiates the ketogenic diet from other diets, such as low-carb, is that in the Lev diet weight loss is faster. This is because the body is induced into the so-called state of ketosis. Ketosis is a metabolic state, where our body, as soon as it runs out of glucose (sugar) reserves, starts using accumulated fat as a source of energy.
In order to stay in this state of ketosis, you need to restrict your intake of carbohydrates and sugar as much as possible, otherwise there is no significant production of ketone bodies and the body stops using stored fat as an energy source. It is in this sense that there are some vegetables that are best for your ketogenic diet.
Keto friendly vegetables
In order to boost the results of your ketogenic diet, there are vegetables that are more recommended than others. This is because vegetables have naturally occurring sugars, which are enough to break the state of ketosis. Therefore, to achieve your weight loss goals faster, these are the keto friendly vegetables we recommend at an early stage of the diet:
Lettuce, rocket, watercress, broccoli, turnip greens, spinach, etc.
They are vegetables with a low carbohydrate content, rich in fiber. They are therefore nutritious and satiating due to their high water content.
Celery, parsley, coriander
In addition to adding nutrients and vitamins to your meals, these 3 foods can be used as a way to add more flavor to your food, as they are often used as seasonings.
Cucumber, radish, mushrooms, green bell pepper
They are foods rich in water and naturally low in carbohydrates.
Garlic, leek, pumpkin, eggplant, onion, zucchini, cauliflower, savoy cabbage, peppers….
These are some more of the vegetables allowed in the first phase of the diet, although they should be consumed more sparingly and their consumption should not exceed 200g per day. This is because they have a higher carbohydrate content, which may be enough to break the state of ketosis.
What do all these vegetables have in common?
- Low in carbohydrates;
- Rich in fiber;
- Rich in vitamins and minerals;
- High in water content;
- In other words, they increase the feeling of satiety without adding too many calories to your diet.
On the other hand, foods such as tomatoes, carrots, beet, red cabbage, avocado, white cabbage, although still extremely healthy and rich in nutrients, are not welcome in the early stages of the Lev diet, as they have a high amount of naturally occurring sugars.
Don’t go it alone on the ketogenic diet. Count on Lev’s team of nutritionists to help you with your weight loss goals. Talk to us and book your free, no-obligation consultation now!