How Can Observing A Keto Diet Change In The Summer?

For anyone undertaking a Keto diet, the regimen is quite strict. Because the whole aim is to reach a metabolic state of ketosis, where the body concentrates on burning fat for energy instead of carbohydrates, balancing these is crucial.

It means eating more foods with fat in, though ideally healthy fats like those in avocados instead of saturated ones in processed food, while greatly reducing carbohydrates and keeping protein in balance.

Those who manage this can report some very satisfactory results as their body successfully burns off fat in a way it has never done before.

However, some would argue it is a very restrictive diet. That may be an exaggeration, but it is certainly true that it needs to be carefully balanced and, because so many familiar foods are high in carbs, there are a lot of common things that will need to stay off the menu.

What Are The Seasonal Features Of Food In Summer?

At certain times, the diet may be challenged by seasonal food factors. This may include the feasts on offer at Christmas, or one-off items like pancakes and Easter eggs. But whole seasons can sometimes bring potentially large changes in diet and summer is one of them.

Among these are:

·       A tendency to eat more salads and cold food instead of hot meals

·       Barbecues

·       The greater availability of fresh summer fruit and veg

·       A need to reduce salt, as you are more likely to get dehydrated in hot weather

·       Sweet temptations such as ice cream, plus cold drinks full of sugar

·       You may not have such regular meals if you are spending long periods away from home, especially if you are walking outdoors.

Each of these is a common feature of the summer. Not all of them spell danger for a Keto diet and some may even help with aspects of it. But it is important to know how you can adjust your meals, how you shouldn’t, as well as the role meal replacement bars can play.

The first thing to note is that there are steps everyone, whether they are on a Keto diet or not, can take to adjust to the arrival of summer:

·       Eating the healthiest summer foods

·       Staying hydrated

·       Taking healthy options to barbecues

·       Having lots of healthy snacks on hand to avoid having too many unhealthy treats

Of course, some advice may not apply to those for whom ketosis is the goal. For instance, while many will be wary of lots of fatty red meat at a barbecue, those on a Keto diet will have less reason for concern.

Why Are Meal Replacement Bars Great When Taking Long Summer Walks?

Using meal replacement bars may be something you can do when heading off on long hikes. The light summer days and warmer temperatures make the season a great time for hill walking, which means you will be away from any home or even a pub for hours on end.

The standard preparation for this will be to make a packed lunch, but because bread is high in carbs, you can’t take sandwiches. This means you should fill the lunchbox with items that fit a Keto diet, such as avocados, some meat, cheese and hard-boiled eggs.

However, meal replacement bars may also be part of your day’s ration, helping keep everything balanced between protein and fat while minimising carbs.

Many people who enjoy a long walk in the country will go for a refreshing drink afterwards. If you do drink alcohol, it is better to go for something like wine, whereas beer has far more carbs in it. But it is far better for any diet to go without booze.

What Summer Fruits Can You Eat On A Keto Diet?

Summer fruits seem like quite a challenge, but, as long as you don’t overdo them, some fruits are OK as they are lower in carbs.

You can still treat yourself to some strawberries with cream while watching Wimbledon, or freshly-picked blackberries in August and early September, but avoid fruits that are high in carbs like apples, pears, grapes and, above all, bananas.

Finally, when considering vegetables, your focus should always be on above-ground veg. That means avoiding potatoes, carrots and parsnips and going for more green veg like spinach, broccoli and lettuce.

You should try to focus more on green veg anyway, especially those with higher levels of fibre, as you will be reducing the fibre intake that you would normally get from things like bread. This will help your digestive system to function better.

Maintaining your Keto balance in summer can be challenging, but with the right knowledge, discipline and use of meal replacement bars for part of the time, you can ensure that you continue to get fitter while the sun shines.