Starting the Keto diet can be daunting. With so much conflicting information online, knowing where to start and what information to follow is confusing. We have put together our top tips for going Keto to try and help you get started. 

1. Be prepared. Start by making sure you rid yourself of any temptation then stock up your cupboard, fridge and freezer with Keto friendly foods.

2. The side effects will pass. Some people experience some initial side effects of going into ketosis - also dubbed as the “Keto Flu” – This is completely normal when making a big change to your diet as your body needs time to adapt. Symptoms vary from person to person and may include a headache or feeling lethargic, but they will pass. Most people will start to feel the positive benefits of Keto, including feeling more energetic, reduced hunger and better sleep quality, within 3 or 4 days.

3. Choose an information source. The internet is awash with information and a lot of it is conflicting. Overtime keto has developed into different versions designed to deal with different health issues. Therefore, pick the keto diet that suits your needs and stick to it and follow one set of guidelines to get the best results. Overtime your knowledge and confidence will grow helping you to build the plan which is perfect for you.

4. Listen to your body. As mentioned above, not all Keto diets are the same and they certainly are not one size fits all. What works for one person may not be quite right for another. Listen to your body and work with what it is telling you. If you are hungry or feeling low on energy, eat a Keto friendly snack. If you are still feeling satiated from breakfast, skip the elevenses and wait until lunch. If you have been more active, you may need more water and a small snack. Your body will tell you what it needs.

5. Don’t let yourself get hungry. When we go too long without eating our blood sugars can drop and can leave us feeling really hungry (or even worse, hangry!) Make sure you eat regularly through the day and listen to what your body needs. This can lead us to reach for carb heavy convenience food to lift our mood and banish the hunger.

6. Stay hydrated. Whilst is seems cliché, we often mistake thirst for hunger so try to make sure you stay well hydrated through the day by drinking about 2L of water. If you do have a craving or hunger pang, have a few sips of water as this may be just all you need.

7. Avoid sweeteners. When going Keto a common mistake people make is to simply replace all sugar with sweeteners. In reality replacing one sweet food for another does nothing to help you break the addiction to sweetness or allow your body to overcome it. Continuing to use sweeteners in your diet will affect your hunger levels and cravings.

8. Don’t fear fat. Whilst we don’t recommend glugging bottles of olive oil or nibbling more cheese than a mouse, fat will become the body’s energy source when you are following a Keto Diet. Having a higher amount of fat in your diet will help you to stay feeling fuller for longer after mealtimes. Plus, with the removal of sugar in your diet, fat brings the flavour!!

9. Always check the label. Some foods make claims to be keto, low in sugar or no added sugar but in reality, the overall make-up of the product is still not Keto friendly. Never trust the claims, always make sure you read the label and understand what is in your food. Look at the overall carb amount per serving of product to make sure it is low enough to keep you in Ketosis. Remember to also look for other names for sugar like dextrose or sucrose and, of course, check for sweeteners.

10. Make sure you get enough sodium. A combination of eating less processed foods paired with a Keto diet can lower the body's sodium level and knock electrolytes out of balance. Sodium plays an important role in regulating our internal water balance. Too little sodium can mean the body does not absorb water as well as it should causing issues like brain fog, fatigue, muscle cramps and stomach problems as well as causing the initial "Keto Flu" side effects to be more intense. Keep everything in balance by adding a pinch of good quality salt like rock salt or Himalayan sea salt to your meals.