Keto diet does not allow many foods. People following a keto diet need a lot of patience, determination, and discipline, as many foods are totally restricted in this diet. But luckily, lettuce is not one of them. Fresh lettuce is available round the year, in all grocery stores and restaurants.
It is a crunchy and hydrating vegetable, often used as a base for salads. As keto diet requires foods low in carbs, grains are completely avoided in it, as they are full of carbs. Which means pieces of bread, tortillas, buns are completely cut out.
Lettuce is a good alternative for these. It can be used by replacing bread or tortillas and making keto-friendly wraps or sandwiches. You can also replace your burger buns with lettuce, slap your burger patty between two large lettuce leaves and enjoy a keto-friendly burger.
Lettuce is an above ground vegetable, and above-ground vegetables are generally low in carbs as compared to the root vegetables. So like zucchini, kale, and asparagus, lettuce is also one of the keto-friendly vegetables.
One whole head of lettuce has about 5.6 grams of carbs. A cup of shredded lettuce has 1.3 grams of carbs. So it can easily fit in your keto diet plan. Lettuce also contains nutrients such as sodium, calcium, and potassium and also has vitamin A, C, K, and folate.
Lettuce contains a lot of water. This makes it a vegetable that not only nourishes but also hydrates you.
It has many varieties; no matter which one you choose, iceberg lettuce, leaf lettuce, butterhead, or romaine or any other variety, they are all great for the keto diet.
The thumb of rule is that the darker green the leaves are, the more nutrients it has. But even the light green types such as iceberg or the romaine are very nutritious and also keto-friendly.
Keto diet is high in fats and low in carbs. Lettuce is low in carbs, but it is not high in fat. This makes it good for keto diet but not the best option.
Lettuce should not be the main ingredient of your keto menu. But it can accompany your keto meals.
What Is Keto?
Keto diet is a low carb, high-fat diet. It helps you to lose weight by forcing the body in a metabolic state, known as ketosis.
By consuming low carbs, the body that normally uses the carbs to make glucose and then uses this glucose as a source of energy is then forced to use the alternative source of energy, which is fats. Another way to help the body achieve ketosis is by taking exogenous ketones such as the supplement BodyTone.
When you are consuming a normal diet which is high in carbs, the body produces glucose and insulin. The body uses this glucose to produce energy, which is the primary source of energy and stores the fat. When you are following a keto diet, the body is not getting enough carbs.
As a result, the fats are broken down to form ketones that are used as fuel for the body. Keto diet not only helps you to lose weight, but it also improves the overall health condition and is also beneficial in improving blood sugars.
