07/28
These Mediterranean Dishes are Keto-Friendly
The Ketogenic diet has been around since the 1920s, originally used as medical treatment for patients with seizures. Although it was originally used for a very narrow scope of the population, many people have now adopted the diet for weight loss.
The keto diet is high in fat, moderate in protein, and low in carbs. The body normally burns carbs first, turning it into glucose. Only after all carbohydrates have been burned will the body burn fat stores.
When the body has exhausted all glucose in the body and is prepared to burn fat, the liver starts producing ketones. These ketones are what allow the body to burn fat, and a big part of the keto diet. The keto diet is followed in an effort to go into ketosis, or fat burning.
While this may sound appealing, it can be difficult. Carbs are a big part of our diet, and include things like potatoes, rice, and chickpeas. That’s quite a bit of most foods! The only real vegetable most keto diets allow are green leafy vegetables. With a diet so narrow, what can you eat?
The good news is there’s an enormous number of Mediterranean dishes out there, with a wide range of food options. This means that on top of being delicious, it’s also remarkably flexible. Enough so that even if you’ve decided to go on a Ketogenic diet, you can still eat at a Mediterranean restaurant.
If you’re on a Keto diet, here’s what to order:
Chicken or Beef Shawerma Salad
While root vegetables and cucumbers do have a small amount of carbs in them, the value of them compared to the rest of the salad is low. Leafy greens and meat are both extremely keto-friendly, making a chicken or beef Shawerma salad a great option.
These salads are loaded with protein and leafy greens, making the bulk of it delicious, refreshing, and keto-friendly.
Mixed Grill
Kebobs and lamb shanks are high in protein and fat, and of course don’t have any carbs to them. Aladdin’s offers a mixed grill which is a plate of various meats, without the Basmati rice that is not so keto-friendly.
Order this and a salad on the side for a balanced and delicious keto friendly meal.
Kebabs
Kebabs are also keto-friendly. Shrimp, chicken, lamb and beef are all quality proteins that are keto-friendly and delicious. As many of these kebabs are served with rice or hummus—not so keto friendly—you may want to ask if you can get a salad to replace them.
Mediterranean foods have a broad range of flavors, ingredients, and styles. There’s room for keto and for your favorite Mediterranean dish as well. Keep in mind that fats and proteins should be your main foods, followed by green leafy vegetables. Turn down carbs like rice and chick peas.
Eating a ketogenic diet doesn’t mean you have to go without flavor, and most Mediterranean dishes are packed with it. If you’re starting or on a keto diet, stop by your favorite Mediterranean diet and look through the menu. You’ll be sure to find something you can eat.