30 LOW-CARB TIPS TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOURSELF A VERY KETO CHRISTMAS!

Well, it’s that time of year again, where diets get destroyed by mountains of tasty food, sweets, and sneaky glasses of Christmas Eve egg nog! 

With all the tasty food and drink on offer over the festive period, Is a Keto Christmas Possible?

So, are you worrying about keeping up with the keto diet during the holiday season?

Stressing that those sweet treats and absolutely delicious recipes will be too much for you to bear at the Christmas dinner table?

Or, do you think being on a strict low-carb diet may ruin the best part of the year?

We understand!

Both Becky and I know many keto friends and family that go through this every year, and in this article, we will provide you with 30 tips to keep you on track over the holidays…

First, you must decide whether you’ll let a little bit of sweetness in your life this Christmas (and who are we to judge!) or if you’ll hold fast and stay keto to the core. 

Let’s face it: there WILL be temptations everywhere. From that sneaky roast potato to that oh-so-buttery mince pie. 

So, how do you stay true to your keto lifestyle during this month-long feast? 

Before we explore what you can eat at Christmas on a keto diet, we recommend you follow these two rules; 

• Never leave yourself starving (when you’re hungry like the wolf, saying no to that office mince pie will be that little more difficult)

• Plan (You’ll never be caught short if you know what’s on the menu!) 

With this keto arsenal up your sleeve, you’ll be able to follow your head and not your grumbling stomach. 

So, let’s cut to the chase… What can you eat over Christmas, and what are the alternatives?
 

Here are 30 tips on how to ‘Ketofy’ the festive period…

Choose keto-friendly proteins like turkey, pork, beef as your holiday main course.

Avoid sugary glazes! Opting for meats like turkey or ham, without sweet glazes, allows you to enjoy festive flavours while sticking to keto. Focus on the protein and enhance flavour with herbs. Meat is the main event of the Christmas dinner; luckily, meat is mostly carb free (pigs in blankets are also low carb). A keto dinner is very possible!

Substitute mashed cauliflower or celeriac instead of mashed potatoes. Trading starchy potatoes for low-carb stand-ins lets you load up on holiday comfort food favourites without added carbs. With some butter and seasoning, these swaps can be just as tasty and make a perfect side dish.

Opt for green beans, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and salads as side dishes. Skip the typical high-carb sides and load your plate with low-carb veggies instead. Dress them up with bacon, nuts, cheese and rich cream sauce.

Avoid high-carb condiments like cranberry sauce; make your own mint sauce instead. Be mindful of added sugars in premade condiments. Opt for easy homemade sauces, like mint sauce with apple cider vinegar, which adds flavour without carbs.

Make a keto cheesecake or chocolate truffles for dessert. Indulge your sweet tooth with a rich keto cheesecake or easy chocolate truffles. Made with heavy cream and zero added sugars, these treats let you end your keto holiday meal on a sweet note. Have a go at using our keto cookies as a cheesecake base. 

Enjoy berries or citrus fruits for a low-carb sweet treat. Fresh fruits like raspberries, blackberries or sliced grapefruit make light, refreshing desserts. Sweeten them up without sugars by adding fresh whipped cream. 

Choose keto-friendly clear alcohols like vodka/gin and soda water when having a tipple. Enjoy festive spirits without mixer carbs by sipping vodka sodas or rum with club soda. Fortify your hot drinks with heavy whipping cream for a sweet kick. Those extra carbs can sneak in before we’ve even said roasted carrots!  Head to our previous blog about Keto and Alcohol for keto-friendly drinks.

Never leave yourself too hungry to avoid temptation. Being overly hungry can cause you to make poor diet decisions in a moment of weakness. Make sure to eat filling keto snacks between meals so you don’t get desperate and crash your keto efforts. Keep your blood sugar levels under control and avoid those sweets!

Stick to recipes low in net carbs when cooking. Search for keto recipes using low-carb flour and sweeteners. Or learn to tweak traditional dishes by swapping ingredients or reducing carby elements. This allows you to enjoy the holiday flavours you love while doing keto. Use almond and coconut flour correctly by following the recipes strictly. These non-wheat flours absorb moisture differently than regular flour. For best results with keto baking, precisely measure and follow trusted recipes developed for these unique ingredients. 

Make your friends and the whole family understand that by coming to your house over the Christmas season, they will be served a keto Christmas menu! Simple!

Just because its Christmas, doesn't mean you should stop tracking your macros. Consume less than 50 grams of net carbs per day. Monitor your net carb numbers to ensure you keep daily totals at or below 50 grams to maintain ketosis. Track diligently at holiday gatherings when unmonitored grazing can sabotage success. Apps make tracking easy.

Avoid sugary drinks and snacks. Because it’s festive season, it doesn’t mean sugary temptations get a free pass. Steer clear of soda, sweet teas, candy, syrupy holiday coffees and other high-sugar fare to protect your keto efforts. When someone offers you a drink with a mixer, make sure its not a mixer with sugar!

Set realistic keto goals for the season, allowing yourself to plan indulgences. Perfectionism isn’t sustainable or enjoyable long-term. Decide what small treats matter most during celebrations and enjoy those mindfully, without guilt. The combo of planning and self-compassion is key.

Try low-carb eggnog made with sugar substitutes if you want a festive drink. Don't avoid nutmeg-spiced eggnog just because you’re avoiding sugar. There are plenty of easy keto Christmas recipes to enjoy some eggnog without the carbs.

Make a charcuterie board with keto-friendly meats, cheeses, and nuts. Create a beautiful platter piled high with sliced salami, prosciutto, salted nuts and an array of rich cheeses. It makes the perfect easy holiday appetizer you can nibble without blowing your carb limit.

Offer to bring keto-friendly appetizers if going to a party. Prepare and provide your own snacks tailored perfectly to your keto diet so you’ll have low-carb nibbles available. Bringing appetizers also takes the pressure off, avoiding hosts’ high-carb options. 

Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and help curb hunger cravings. Don’t confuse thirst or dehydration with actual hunger! Drink plenty of water at holiday gatherings. Add electrolyte supplements if needed. Adequate hydration satisfies salt cravings that can derail your progress when confused with food cravings.

Take a break from social gatherings to reset your hunger or cravings. Holiday parties full of temptation around every corner can intensify urges and hunger when willpower reserves run low. Step away, drink water, and recalibrate your determination before diving back in. You don't want to wreck everyone else's fun by being Hangry all day!

Scope out recipes beforehand if attending any holiday meals not prepared by you. Do your homework, research restaurant menus, or ask hosts for dish details you’re unsure about. Foreknowledge allows you to pre-plan adjustments and modify choices on the fly.

If you indulge, do so in moderation and get back on track immediately. Holidays are a time for enjoyment and balance. If you want a small taste, practice mindful moderation. Stick to keto foods surrounding the indulgence so one treat doesn’t spiral into a bender. Most of all, enjoy your day! It only happens once per year, and letting things slide at the holiday table won't be the end of the world. 

Just prepare to get back on it ASAP!