Let’s get back to basics with my top 10 tips to succeed on keto.

For those who are new here, my name is Amy Hightower-Smith, and I have lost over a hundred pounds.

I have been in keto maintenance for years, but I have made more mistakes than I care to remember.

The ucanketo community was developed to share essential and accurate information about keto, so you won’t have to make the same mistakes I did! 

When I began this journey many years ago, I had no guidance.

I actually had more people telling me I would make myself sicker than I did anything else.

That said, I had strived to be the person I wish I had been when I started. For some, these tips may seem simple, but when I had no direction, these could have saved me a lot of trouble when I was unknowingly falling off the keto wagon.

My Top 10 Tips to Succeed on Keto!

1. Remove temptations. This has been a lifesaver for me. I don’t know about y’all, but sometimes I sabotaged my keto success because I could. It’s not to say you can’t go out and buy yourself a non-keto thing to indulge in, but if it isn’t looking you in the face and asking to be eaten, you aren’t going to go for it!
2. Stock your pantry with keto-friendly foods. You’ll be more likely to succeed when you are set up for success! Take inventory of what you already have, and purchase keto foods that will give you access to a variety of keto snacks and ingredients. Nuts and seeds, low-carb condiments, and spices are a great way to stay prepared.
3. Stay hydrated! Even if you think you drink enough water, drink more! Dehydration can lead to headaches, keto flu, and trouble concentrating. Having a fun and convenient refillable water bottle can help you to stay on top of your water consumption. Just be ready for lots of washroom breaks!
4. Use sweeteners responsibly. A drastic change in your diet can easily cause you to feel like you need replacements for everything you are removing from your daily routine. This includes over-using sweeteners to replace sugars in coffee, tea, soda, sweets, cakes, candies… the list goes on and on. Sweeteners like monk fruit or Swerve are great to use as replacements, but we can’t get carried away. If you are craving something sweet, it is always best to reach for a low-carb, high-fiber fruit like strawberries or blueberries. Over time, your palate will change, and you will crave fewer sweets. 
5. Plan your meals. Meal planning has been an absolute lifesaver! Taking the guesswork out of busy days regarding keto meals will keep you on track. This tip is the tip of all tips. My Facebook ucanketo group has free meal plans to help you kickstart your keto journey. Out of all the things our community loves, it’s the meal planning ideas!
6. The fridge should stay stocked with Keto foods. Low-carb vegetables, eggs, seafood, meats, butter, leafy greens, and whole-fat dairy should be the foundation of your fridge contents! Get rid of processed foods, most yogurts, ice creams, non-keto ketchup, and condiments; just let them go!
7. Your portions matter. I can’t stress this enough, which is why it will continue to come up in blogs! I was the worst at portion control and would often have way too much food on my plate or I would have too little. Either way, it was a problem. Having a food scale helped me ensure I was on the right track, and it helped me determine whether I was eating too many calories or misjudging my macros. 
8. Eat when you are hungry. Having a whole new food regimen can be exciting. Trying new foods can make us want to try them all at once (I’ve been there, too!). The keto food and keto recipes aren’t going anywhere; continue to eat when you are hungry; otherwise, you can make way for new habits that will not serve you well. 
9. Try your best to avoid the keto flu. The keto flu can make you want to give up, but once you’re past it, you’ll start to feel great. The best course of action is to avoid the keto flu altogether. You can do this by adding electrolytes to your water. LMNT is my favorite to date, the raspberry and the watermelon electrolytes just get poured into my water bottle, and they are ready to drink. Plus, they’re delicious. LMNT comes in many flavors, so if you are not a fan of the ones I love, I’m sure you’ll find something you can love too!
10. Take your time. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Take the time to learn new things, change how you think about food, make some mistakes, and talk to people on the same journey as you. There is more keto information on the internet than there ever has been before, there are communities (like mine!), and there is patience that you will need to make adjustments and stay committed to the process. 

These are my top 10 tips to succeed on keto! 

If you have any to add, leave them in the comments!

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. Here’s another great blog on gaining electrolytes