Any time you start a new diet, there is a learning curve where it takes some time getting used to it, and the keto diet is no different. There tend to be some common mistakes people make when they first start keto, but by knowing about them know, you can be sure to avoid them.

Not Tracking Everything

The first thing you need to do when you are on the ketogenic diet is track absolutely everything you consume. A common mistake people make is assuming they know their carb amounts since they are eating a lot of low-carb foods, but are still going over those 20 net carbs a day. The only way to know for sure is to track your macros. This also helps you keep an eye on other macros like your protein, fat, sugar, and fiber. Don’t forget to also add in seasonings, oils, and flavorings as those sometimes contain carbs as well.

Failing to Add in Enough Veggies

While some people can do the keto diet without any vegetables, it is not recommended. You need your veggies for vitamins and minerals, particularly for fiber and reducing your overall protein levels. Veggies help to keep you full and can combat some of your cravings. Try to have at least one serving of vegetable a day, but preferably with each meal.

Constantly Checking Your Ketones

When you are on the keto diet, you are trying to get into ketosis. This is what allows you to lose weight as your body begins burning fat for fuel. Many people need to know they are in ketosis so they will use strips and other monitoring devices to check their ketones. There are many reasons your ketone levels might be off on certain days, so the stress it produces is really not worth it. Just stick to your 20 net carbs a day, focus
on healthy eating with the right macros, and you should be just fine with staying in ketosis.

Eating Too Much of Something

With any diet you are on, balance is key. Even on the ketogenic diet, you can have too much of a good thing. Focus on portion sizes and balance out your meals and snacks so that you are not constantly eating just one type of food all the time. There is a possibility you are eating too much of one kind of fat, too much dairy, too much cheese. Try to mix up your meals and snacks, focusing on the overall nutrients as well as those net carbs.

Failing to Prep and Plan

Another common mistake people make is not planning ahead. Keto is one of those diet plans where you really need to keep track of everything you eat. This makes it hard to just grab something without knowing how many net carbs it contains. It is best that you plan all of your meals and snacks ahead of time, and prep as much as you can so you aren’t grabbing for a high-carb convenience food just because you’re not sure what to eat.

Need help getting started? Get my 7-Day Ket Meal Plan Kick Start Guide!

Not Adding Enough FAT to Your Diet

Adding enough fat to get your body “fat adapted” can be hard.  We have to transition from the traditional “Don’t eat fat… it will make you fat” mindset that pervades our culture today. In reality, when you eat fat as a fuel source you are teaching your body to use and BURN fat as energy for your brain and body. It makes more logical sense when you think about it, but we have taken to trusting the “experts” and missing the key biological indicators. Good healthy fats are a great source of fuel. So, how can you add more fat to your diet in a simple way? Check out my favorite fat bomb recipes on this post and BOOM you are eating good healthy, fat-burning ingredients. Also, grass-fed organic butter is a great source of fats. I love adding MCT oils to my tea in the morning to boost the healthy fat in my morning tea. It’s satisfying and tastes better than a latte!