What You Can (and Can’t) Eat on a Keto Diet

Some vegetables are okay while almost all fruits are out

If you've recently thought about trying a new diet to shed some pounds, the keto diet is probably the first thing that's come to mind.Being curious about the keto diet is only natural, as there's very few other diets where copious amounts of bacon and cheese are on the menu. Simply listing the different ingredients you can and can't eat while working your way through the keto diet won't explain how exactly it works. The diet's main principle is maintaining ketosis, a metabolic state that pushes your body to burn fat for daily fuel rather than glucose sourced from carbohydrates. Originally designed to help patients fight epilepsy, the keto diet guides you into ketosis by eliminating a significant amount of food groups that you normally interact with everyday; mainly, items containing sugars and carbohydrates, as these don't allow your metabolism to use fat as a main energy source.

Sugar and carbohydrates do not sound like they're part of a healthy meal to most — but in reality, they can be found in some pretty nutritious items you'll have to cut out of your diet entirely. It's why nutritionists and health experts may be critical of the keto diet, especially since deprivation requires tons of willpower that might be counterintuitive to your needs. While the keto diet could result in serious weight loss for those who can stick to the diet's plan, if you know you simply can't give up bread or fruits, it's okay — Stefani Sassos, MS, RD, CDN, a registered dietitian within the Good Housekeeping Institute, says that the Mediterranean diet or 'flexitarian' meal plans could also help you lose weight in the long run.

If you've seen a friend transform their body while on the keto diet, read up on what it entails below before you take a swing at achieving ketosis. Like all diets, Sassos points out that the keto program doesn't guarantee sustained weight loss (in fact, some people report ballooning in weight afterwards) and that you should discuss any long term diet changes with your healthcare provider.

READ MORE: Pros and Cons of the Keto Diet

What You Can Eat on a Keto Diet:

Get ready for a whole lot of fat, some protein, and just about zero carbs throughout your day. Keto-approved fridges and pantries include plenty of meat, seafood, dairy, eggs, nuts, fats and oils, and some veggies that grow above ground.

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• Plenty of meats: Chicken, pork, steak, ground beef, lamb, bacon, turkey, ham, and sausage (in limited amounts).
• Fatty seafood: Salmon, snapper, tuna, halibut, cod, trout, catfish, scallops.
• Shellfish: Crab, clams, oysters, lobster, mussels.
• Most fats and oils: Eggs, butter, coconut oil, olive oil, ghee, lard, avocado oil (and plenty of avocados!), mayonnaise.
• High-fat dairy: Heavy cream, soft and hard cheeses, cream cheese, and sour cream.
• A selection of vegetables: Cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, zucchini, green beans, peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, asparagus, cucumber, onion, mushroom, spinach, lettuce, and olives.
• Most nuts: Almonds, peanuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, hazelnuts, walnuts, as well as their retrospective butters (look for natural varieties that aren't sweetened).
• A selection of berries: Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries.
• Some of your favorite beverages: Unsweetened coffee and black tea is OK. Dry wine, champagne, and hard liquor should be enjoyed sparingly.
• All spices and some sweeteners: Enjoy stevia and sucralose every once in a while.

What You Can't Eat on the Keto Diet:

It's a pretty exhaustive list, and probably includes some of your favorites: Bread, rice, pasta, fruit, corn, potatoes, beans, baked goods, sweets, juice, and beer all get the axe. Basically, you have to avoid most sugars and starches. Whole grains like oatmeal don't even make the cut!

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• Almost all fruits: Apples, bananas, oranges, grapes, watermelon, peaches, melon, pineapple, cherries, pears, lemons, limes, grapefruits, plums, mango, and more.
• Most grains: Wheat, rice, rye, oats, corn, quinoa, barley, millet, bulgur, amaranth, buckwheat, and sprouted grains.
• Starches: Bread (all of it!), bagels, cereal, pasta, rice, corn, oatmeal, crackers, pizza, popcorn, granola, muesli, flour.
• Legumes: Black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, navy beans, soybeans, peas, chickpeas, lentils.
• Real sweeteners and sugar: Including cane sugar, honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, Splenda, aspartame, saccharin, and corn syrup.
• Sweet treats: Candy, chocolate, cakes, buns, pastries, tarts, pies, ice cream, cookies, pudding, and custard.
• A selection of cooking oils: Canola oil, soybean oil, grapeseed oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, and sunflower oil.
• Alcohol: Beer, cider, sweet wines, and sweetened alcoholic drinks are off the menu.
• Bottled condiments: Ketchup, BBQ sauce, tomato sauce, some salad dressings and hot sauces all contain added sugar.
• Low-fat dairy: Things like skim milk, skim mozzarella, fat-free yogurt, low-fat cheese and cream cheese should be swapped for higher-fat counterparts.

If you're tempted to go keto, consult with your doctor before embarking on any extreme weight loss plan. While the ketogenic diet can include some healthful foods (we're all about broccoli), many others get nixed (bye, bananas and sweet potatoes).