Make Ahead Thanksgiving! Keto, Low Carb, & THM Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Should I break keto for Thanksgiving? ›

If you're unfamiliar with a keto diet, here's the quick explanation: It's extremely low in carbohydrates and high in fat. Meat, including turkey with skin, is fine to consume, but other Thanksgiving staples aren't. Mashed potatoes are off limits, along with bread stuffing, rolls, sugary cranberry sauce and desserts.

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.

Cutting your carb intake is the best way to get into ketosis. Other actions, such as consuming MCT oil and exercising in a fasted state, may also help. Quick and easy methods, such as using special urine strips, can let you know whether you're maintaining ketosis or you need to make some adjustments to your diet.

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”.

“If you have too many carbohydrates, you're going to build up your glycogen stores, and it's going to be very hard for you to get back into ketosis,” she says. She says to think about your glycogen stores, which are your body's supply of stored carbohydrates, as a gas tank.

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.

It's important that you do not just fall back into whatever old eating patterns you had before going keto! This could no only result in nasty side effects, but also, weight regain. Weight regain after restrictive diets like this is SO common it's almost textbook.

Following a ketogenic diet is the most effective way to enter ketosis. Generally, this involves limiting carb consumption to around 20 to 50 grams per day and filling up on fats, such as meat, fish, eggs, nuts, and healthy oils ( 6 ). It's also important to moderate your protein consumption.

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.

It's okay to have a cheat day while observing keto. But keto practitioners recommend you plan your macros carefully. Don't go all out on your cheat day — know your limits so you don't get knocked out of ketosis and become unable to get back.