Three Delicious Keto Holiday Meal Recipes

The holidays can be such a stressful time with all the gifts to buy (and receive on time), decisions about who will host and who will travel, and all the other stressors that go into holiday planning. However, maintaining a healthy keto diet doesn’t have to be part of that stress this year. Here are three recipes that can satisfy cravings this holiday season. 

Cauliflower Stuffing 

Cauliflower Stuffing is a great way to stay aligned with the keto diet and enjoy a classic holiday meal. It’s a great way to pack all those amazing flavors you want during the holiday season. Similar to bread in usual stuffing, cauliflower soaks in all the flavors like a sponge. 

Baked Fresh Ham with Herbs de Provence

Ham is a great source of protein that’s key to the keto diet. When is a better time to try Baked Fresh Ham with Herbs de Provence than during the holidays? This recipe is a great way to get the protein you need and still follow your diet during your holiday dinner. 

Buffalo Shrimp Lettuce Wraps 

Buffalo Shrimp Lettuce Wraps aren’t the usual holiday meal, but why can’t they be? Shrimp is another food that is high in protein but also a great source of nutrients. Creating lettuce wraps is giving your body the nutrients it needs without giving it unnecessary calories. This might not be the most common holiday meal, but it’s a great meal idea if you want something tasty and different tasting while sticking to your keto diet. 

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards, a Princeton MD is the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, providing quality care to uninsured and under-insured New Jersey residents in Mercer and Middlesex counties.

What To Know About the Keto Diet

healthy food for keto diet

The ketogenic diet has continued to gain popularity as one effective way to lose weight. Like any diet, this approach to eating may or may not be for you and you should consult a medical professional before making any significant dietary changes. It is always recommended to pair diets with workout plans to supplement weight loss.

How The Ketogenic Diet Works

The ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet. The goal is for your body to enter ketosis, a state where your body will start to break down protein and fat, thus causing the individual to lose weight.

Benefits

This diet has been used to manage conditions like epilepsy, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Because body fat is linked to various diseases, successful weight loss from this diet can improve heart health, decrease the risk of cancer, and acne. Some studies show that the ketogenic diet may lead to better cognitive function while preventing Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.

Potential Drawbacks

For long term use, minimal research has been done on the effects of this diet. Long term users may suffer adverse health effects or struggle with keeping the weight off. Being in ketosis for too long may put you at risk for entering ketoacidosis (high levels of acid in the blood) which can become life threatening. Because carbohydrates are a main food group, largely excluding them from your diet may create deficiencies.

Dr. Edwards, Princeton internist practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center and also serves as Medical Director of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Community Health Center.