High electrolyte keto foods are the number one prevention for the dreaded keto flu. The keto flu is the number one reason people begin a keto diet and quit within the first month.
As a matter of fact, paying extra attention to electrolytes and water consumption is right up there with knowing how to count and manage your macros!
In my ucanketo community, we share a lot of information about how to prevent the keto flu, and the subject of electrolytes comes up often. An electrolyte imbalance can cause debilitating symptoms for some, but are easily managed with supplements and food.
The combination of supplements, along with foods rich in electrolytes, magnesium, sodium, and potassium are the key to preventing or lessening symptoms.
People hear me talk a lot about my favorite electrolyte drink – LMNT (you can grab free samples here), but I think it’s wise to leave you with some information on which foods will also allow your body to prevent an electrolyte imbalance.
High Electrolyte Keto Foods Include;
Himalayan Sea Salts
Nuts
Bone Broth (I love Kettle and Fire)
Seeds
Fatty Fish
Dark Chocolate or Cocoa Powder
Meats
Avocado
Dark Green Leafy Vegetables
And…. of course, water! As part of my daily routine, I also enjoy GO (info here) for an added perk up and also great tasting!
The electrolyte imbalance will affect your kidneys over time so it’s important to flush them with tons of water until your body balances out the electrolytes and moves past the keto flu and into ketosis.
Truthfully, always paying attention to the amount of water you drink is an important aspect of your overall health!
Plus, the amount of sodium in your diet also directly relates to the regulation of water balance in the body through the kidneys. Less salt in the diet means that the kidneys will release more water from the diet. Coupled with this, a reduction in carbohydrates brings a lowering of the hormone insulin, which also plays a role in sodium-balance in the kidneys. The reduction in your salt intake and the release of extra water from the kidneys means that key electrolytes will also be flushed out.
See why are water and electrolytes so important on Keto?
People often become overly concerned with counting macronutrients when they are aiming for ketosis, and while macros are super important to track, the keto flu can derail your willingness to push through and let this keto journey really begin.
This is why when you start a low carbohydrate diet, making sure you get the appropriate electrolytes from food is just as important as the macronutrient content. Be sure to plan your foods so that your meals are as nutrient dense as possible! This will help to reduce any keto flu symptoms that you may experience.
High electrolyte keto foods are often overlooked when planning to begin a keto diet, or when working towards ketosis again.
Yes, your macros really do matter, but if the keto flu will cause you to consider quitting (like it has for many of us!) then choosing foods high in electrolytes to complement supplements is so necessary!
As always, if you aren’t already a member of my ucanketo community, hop on for all the tips, tricks and motivation you will ever need to succeed!
Amy XO
p.s. Make sure you’ve downloaded my Keto Guide to help YOU get started (or restart) on your Keto Journey
p.p.s Have you seen my September Top 10 list yet? Click here
It’s always nice to receive this helpful health info…. it reminda me to stay on track. Tx Amy
Good to know. Thanks
Thank you love
Always on point
Thank you. Great information
Great read! And timely. Have been Keto for almost 2 years. Have maintained my goal weight for a year and sometimes forget to add electrolytes. Thanks!
You are so right and I think here lately I have been messing up on this. Thank you for the info. It is always so helpful. Lovevya and God bless
Awesome read. Thanks Amy for the reminder because you do forget sometimes the importance of these things.
THANK YOU for this article…I have been having problems with my lower back/kidney area…trying to drink lots of water but this article really helped in explaining it all… I’m having problems with staying under the 20g of carbs… if I eat more trying to get the electrolyte level up, gonna put me above 20 for sure 🙁 struggling
As always great information
Thanks Amy!!
Thanks for the info.