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The Top 10 Keto Tips Every Beginner Needs to Know

Are you a beginner to the ketogenic diet? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Starting a new diet can be overwhelming and often it’s hard to know where to start. In this blog post, we’ll look at the top 10 keto tips every beginner needs to know in order to get the most out of their new lifestyle. Read this article to learn more

By BennyPublished 3 years ago 8 min read
The Top 10 Keto Tips Every Beginner Needs to Know
Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash

From proper nutrition to meal planning, these simple tips will help you kick-start your keto journey and get you well on your way to reaching your health and wellness goals.

1) Get rid of all the carbs in your house

One of the best tips for any beginner on the keto diet is to get rid of all the carbs in your house. This means that any food that contains sugars, starches, and grains should be discarded. This includes white bread, pasta, rice, and processed snacks such as chips, crackers, and cookies.

The presence of these foods can make it much harder to stay on track with your keto goals. So, it’s important to take the time to clear out all of these items from your pantry, refrigerator, and other areas of your kitchen.

In addition to removing all carb-heavy foods from your kitchen, you should also consider limiting or eliminating foods with added sugars and refined grains from your meals.

This includes products like cereals, pastries, white bread, muffins, crackers, and more. If you do keep any of these items in your home, try to limit them to a few servings each week so that they don’t sabotage your progress.

Finally, if you’re trying to lose weight on a keto diet, it’s essential to stock your kitchen with healthy, low-carb snacks such as nuts, seeds, and vegetables. This way you’ll have plenty of nutritious options available when hunger strikes.

2) Plan your meals ahead of time

One of the best ways to stay on track with your keto diet is to plan your meals ahead of time. This will not only help you stay within your macronutrient goals, but it can also make meal prep much easier. When you plan ahead, you can create a grocery list and buy everything in one trip.

You can also have all the ingredients ready to go for quick and easy meals.

There are many different methods for meal planning, so find one that works best for you. You can use an app or website like MyFitnessPal or CalorieKing to keep track of your macronutrients.

Or, you can create a simple spreadsheet with your planned meals and grocery list. Another great option is to use meal prep containers and divide out portions ahead of time.

When planning your meals, focus on healthy, low-carb ingredients like fresh vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. A good rule of thumb is to include at least one protein source and two vegetable sources with each meal. It's also a good idea to make sure your meals are well-balanced and provide enough calories to meet your needs.

Lastly, don't be afraid to get creative with your recipes! There are tons of keto-friendly recipes online and you can also experiment with different flavors and spices to make your meals more interesting. Planning ahead can make sticking to your keto diet much easier and more enjoyable.

3) Invest in a quality kitchen scale

If you’re serious about following a ketogenic diet, then investing in a quality kitchen scale is an essential tool. A kitchen scale will help you accurately measure and track the amount of food you’re eating, which is critical for staying within your macro goals.

The most important thing to look for when buying a kitchen scale is accuracy. You want to make sure the scale is accurate enough that it won’t give you false readings. Look for scales that measure in increments of at least 0.1 grams.

Another feature to consider is portability.

If you plan on taking your scale with you when you travel, then look for one that is light weight and compact.

Finally, think about the types of food you plan on weighing. For keto dieters, this will mostly be proteins, vegetables, and fats. Make sure the scale is capable of handling these different types of foods.

Some scales are designed specifically for dry ingredients while others can handle both dry and wet ingredients.

Ultimately, investing in a quality kitchen scale is a great way to ensure that you stay on track with your keto diet. It will allow you to accurately measure and track the amount of food you’re consuming, which is key to achieving your desired results.

4) Learn the difference between net carbs and total carbs

If you’re new to the keto diet, you may be overwhelmed with all of the different terms and acronyms. One of the most important terms to understand is net carbs vs. total carbs. So, what’s the difference?

Net carbs are the total amount of carbohydrates in a food minus the amount of dietary fiber, sugar alcohols, and glycerin.

This number gives you the amount of carbs that are actually digested by your body and contribute to your blood sugar levels. For example, if a food contains 20g of total carbohydrates and 10g of fiber, then its net carbs would be 10g.

Total carbs, on the other hand, are simply the total amount of carbohydrates in a food. This includes any dietary fiber, sugar alcohols, and glycerin.

For example, if a food contains 20g of total carbohydrates and 10g of fiber, then its total carbs would also be 20g.

It’s important to pay attention to the difference between net carbs and total carbs when counting your daily macros on a ketogenic diet. While you can still count your total carbs if you wish, it’s generally recommended that you count your net carbs instead since these are the ones that have an actual impact on your blood sugar levels. This will help ensure that you stay within your macro goals and stay in ketosis.

5) Drink plenty of water

When starting the keto diet, one of the most important things to do is to make sure you are drinking plenty of water. Proper hydration helps your body to function optimally, as well as reducing hunger and cravings.

It can also help reduce the risk of constipation, which can be a common issue when first starting the diet. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water per day, but increase your intake if you exercise or it's hot outside. Keep a reusable water bottle with you during the day to remind yourself to keep drinking.

6) Avoid artificial sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners may be tempting for those trying to reduce their sugar intake, but they are not recommended for those on the keto diet. While some artificial sweeteners may not spike your blood sugar, they can still interfere with your body's natural process of ketosis.

Aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose can all increase your insulin levels and prevent you from reaching optimal ketosis. In addition, they have been linked to a variety of health issues, including headaches, dizziness, and even cancer. For this reason, it's best to avoid artificial sweeteners and opt for natural, low-calorie alternatives like stevia or monk fruit. Additionally, be aware of hidden sugars in many "diet" foods that claim to be low-carb or sugar-free.

7) Keep track of your progress

Tracking your progress is an important part of any diet, but especially on the keto diet. Keeping track of your progress allows you to make adjustments and tweak your diet if needed.

It also provides you with the motivation you need to stay on track and keep going.

There are a few different ways that you can track your progress on the keto diet. One way is to weigh yourself and take measurements of your body every week or two. This will show you how much weight and inches you have lost and can be an effective way to measure progress.

You can also use food diaries and journals to track what you’re eating and your hunger levels throughout the day. This can help you identify any problems or weaknesses in your diet.

Finally, keeping track of your energy levels throughout the day can also be a good way to measure progress. If you feel more energetic after switching to the keto diet, this could be an indication that it’s working for you.

No matter which method you choose, tracking your progress is essential for staying on track with the keto diet and achieving your desired results. Take the time to track your progress regularly so that you can make adjustments as needed.

8) Get enough electrolytes

Electrolytes play an essential role in maintaining the body’s fluid balance, acid-base balance, and muscle and nerve function. Therefore, it is important to get enough electrolytes when following the keto diet.

There are a few ways to ensure you get enough electrolytes on the keto diet. The first is to eat plenty of low-carb high-electrolyte foods like leafy greens, avocados, salmon, nuts, and mushrooms. It's also important to make sure you're consuming adequate amounts of sodium, potassium, and magnesium.

The best way to do this is to supplement with electrolytes such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and magnesium citrate.

Lastly, it is essential to drink plenty of water when following the keto diet since dehydration can quickly become an issue when your body adjusts to the keto lifestyle.

Make sure to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water each day and replenish electrolytes with drinks such as coconut water or sports drinks with low sugar content.

Overall, getting enough electrolytes is key for anyone following the keto diet.

Eating a variety of low-carb high-electrolyte foods, supplementing with electrolytes, and drinking plenty of water are all important steps in making sure you're getting enough electrolytes while on the keto diet.

9) Be patient

When it comes to starting the keto diet, patience is key. The transition can take some time, and you may not see results right away. It is important to stay focused and consistent with the lifestyle changes you are making.

Start by committing to a month of the diet, and if it works for you and you’re feeling good, then continue on. Don’t be discouraged by minor bumps in the road like cravings or setbacks. Just keep in mind that if you remain consistent and patient, you will reach your desired goals.

10) Join a supportive community

Starting a new diet can be intimidating, and it’s important to have a support system to help you stay on track. Finding a supportive community of others who are also following a keto lifestyle can be beneficial for everyone involved. With the rise in popularity of the keto diet, there are many online communities available to join.

These online communities provide members with a safe space to ask questions, share advice, recipes, and tips. Participating in these online forums can be invaluable for those just starting out on their keto journey. You can find a wide variety of recipes, support from others who understand your struggles, and real-life success stories that may help you st=ay motivated.

Some people may find it helpful to join local meetup groups or Facebook groups dedicated to the keto diet. If you prefer face-to-face interaction, these groups can be a great way to connect with other people on the same path as you.

Attending events like potlucks and cookouts are another great way to build relationships with like-minded people and sample delicious low-carb dishes.

No matter which option you choose, having access to a supportive group of individuals is an essential part of achieving long-term success on the keto diet. The right community will make all the difference in helping you stay focused and motivated on your keto journey.

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