10 Keto Food Replacements That Will Make Your Mouth Water
The Ketogenic diet, Keto for short, is gaining a large following. This high-fat, low-carb diet can lead to quiet a bit of food restrictions. It can be hard to find Keto food replacements for those high-carb foods we all love, especially replacements that taste good! Here are 10 Keto food replacements to try, that will have you coming back for more.
1. Cauliflower
If you’re a pizza fan who’s missing their favorite carbohydrate laden dish, try using a cauliflower crust as an alternative keto food replacement. Not only will you cut down on empty carbs, but you will slash your caloric intake as well. You can still enjoy one of your favorite foods without worrying about breaking the rules of your diet. Now you won’t feel so guilty when you go to reach for that second or third slice!
2. Zucchini
Zucchini is a delicious and versatile keto food replacement that should be kept in the kitchen of every keto dieter. Whether you’re making zoodles, stir fry, zucchini fries, or using it as a meat replacement, this is a flexible vegetable that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Try making a zucchini lasagna, zucchini au gratin, stuffed zucchini boats, or zucchini cheesy bread. This gourd goes especially well with Italian recipes.
3. Lettuce
If you’re thinking about reaching for a couple of slices of bread, this keto food replacement will have you thinking again. Lettuce is a low calorie, low carb replacement for bread that is cheap and convenient. Try varieties like butter and romaine to replace bread in wraps and sandwiches.
You can also look into mouthwatering recipes for lettuce cups, grilled lettuce wedges, or sauteed greens. Keto food replacements aside, make a large salad to let lettuce shine on its own, or simply cut up lettuce and other keto friendly vegetables for a crudites tray.
4. Butternut Squash
Sweet, nutty, and a great substitute in multiple recipes, butternut squash is a keto food replacement you’ll want to eat over and over again. Roast it slowly with a few pads of butter, molasses, salt, pepper, cinnamon, and cayenne. Once it’s cooked through, mash it and top with toasted nuts like pecans for a delicious sweet potato keto food replacement. This is an especially great alternative to mashed potatoes at large family meals. After one bite, you won’t even miss those starchy spuds!
5. Eggs
Packed with protein and extremely low in carbs, eggs are perfect for the keto diet. Whether you’re eating them on their own or using them as a keto food replacement, you can’t go wrong with using them in a meal.
Try whisking eggs and thinning them with a bit of unsweetened almond milk. Add salt and pepper to season, and pour the eggs into a well buttered crepe pan. The finished result makes for an awesome keto food replacement for bread and wraps. Use the egg wraps to make BLTs, breakfast tacos, sandwiches, or whatever food your heart desires!
6. Almond Flour
Sometimes you just really need to indulge on a diet, and this keto food replacement will allow you to do so without feeling guilty. Almond flour is an ideal replacement for flour in many recipes. Use it to bake a loaf of bread, make pancakes, cookies, brownies, muffins, cake…the possibilities are as endless as your imagination! You can have a cheat day without really having a cheat day. Take that, carbs!
7. Broccoli
Another keto food replacement full of nutrition, broccoli will keep you full and can be used in multitude of ways. Run it through a food processor and use it as a replacement for rice or couscous, use it to make fritters, throw it in soup, or even make a casserole. High in fiber and protein, it will help keep you full longer. Use it to bulk up a stir fry, or try it as a keto food replacement for high carb foods in your favorite curry!
8. Cucumber
One wouldn’t think cucumber could be used for more than making pickles or garnishing a salad, but think again! Crunchy and refreshing, try using cucumber as a keto food replacement for chips, crackers, bread, or just snack on slices all by themselves!
If you’re having guests over, use cucumbers to make keto friendly hors d’oeuvres. Slice into disks and skewer the slices with cheese and deli meat for an appetizing platter. Your guests will appreciate the healthy snacks, and you’ll feel proud knowing you found another winning keto food replacement.
9. Cheese
Ahh, cheese. Creamy, melty, fragrant, savory, and downright delicious. Some diets restrict cheese, but thankfully, the keto diet does not. Low in carbs and high in fat, it is a perfect food to snack on when you’re feeling hungry.
Cheese is one keto food replacement that will be a welcome change-up from the monotony of vegetables. Yes, vegetables are delicious. However, every once in a while we all need something different. Try placing cheese shreds or slices on a baking sheet and baking until crispy. The cheese crisps will be reminiscent of cheese crackers. This is one keto food replacement you won’t be able to put down!
10. Jicama
High in fiber and low in carbs, jicama is a nutritious and ideal root vegetable to add to your keto diet. Though potatoes can be tempting in all of their starchy goodness, jicama is a keto food replacement that will give them a run for their money. Try making jicama fries or chips, or julienne the root to make a delicious salad. For an interesting take on jicama, take a food spiralizer to the root and substitute it for noodles in any recipe. Roast it; toss it in soups; add it to salsas; this is a delicious addition to any meal. This root vegetable is also slightly sweet and crisp, making it a great candidate to eat raw on its own.
