Top Keto Dinner and Dessert Recipes For Valentine's Day (2024)

FAQs

What if I want something sweet on keto? ›

Satisfy your sweet tooth with keto-friendly sweet snacks like a small piece of dark chocolate or berries with cream. Look for a snack with some protein, if possible, and some fat. Even though you might be craving sugar, grabbing some keto-friendly berries might not be the best choice right before a workout.

No worries! Keto isn't a 'one-size-fits-all diet', and it also doesn't mean that you have to completely cut out all sweet treats from your life. In fact, with the right planning and tracking, you can still enjoy healthy, low carb sweet treats, even on a ketogenic diet.

Essentially, low carb desserts are made with keto-friendly ingredients. They are low in sugar and carbohydrates from other sources such as wheat flour. They can also be made with sugar substitutes such as stevia or monk fruit, which are low in carbs and do not affect blood sugar.

Keto fruits by definition are low in carbohydrates. You still need to exercise portion control with most keto-friendly fruits to be within the limits of a keto diet. Keto-friendly fruits include avocados, watermelon, strawberries, lemons, tomatoes, raspberries, peaches, cantaloupe, star fruit, and blackberries.

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

Your blood sugar will spike, making an abundance of quick energy available and causing your body to switch back to glucose as a source of fuel. Ketone production will stop. A majority of the sugars you eat will likely be used to replenish glycogen stores. This may cause a temporary gain in water weight.

As a rule, focus on naturally high-fat foods and avoid highly processed foods labeled trans fats as much as possible. Foods that can disrupt ketosis pretty quickly include: Grains. Sugar and sweetened beverages.

Increase the size of your meals with nutrient-dense foods. This will promote a sense of fullness and reduce the urge to snack in between meals. Include plenty of fibre in your meals. While fibre from foods like green leafy vegetables is considered a carbohydrate, we don't digest it, so it doesn't count.

Simply Delish Natural Instant Vanilla Pudding - Sugar Free, Non GMO, Gluten Free, Fat Free, Vegan, Keto Friendly -1.7 Ounce (Pack of 12)

What dessert won't raise blood sugar? ›

Choosing the Best Dessert for Diabetes

Some of Burgess' go-to desserts include Medjool dates stuffed with peanut butter, energy bites, chia seed pudding with toppings (like fruit, nuts and yogurt), desserts baked with protein powder, and nut butter-based desserts like these Almond Butter-Quinoa Blondies.

Processed fruits like applesauce and canned fruit in syrup or juice often have more carbs and can raise your blood sugar higher than fresh fruits. When you eat dried or processed fruit, check the label. Many have added sugar, and serving sizes can be very small. Go easy on the fruit juice.

Research, the keto diet, and diabetes

A 2013 review reported that a ketogenic diet can lead to more significant improvements in blood sugar control, A1c, weight loss, and discontinued insulin requirements than other diets.

High-cocoa chocolate

Chocolate with a high cocoa content is a good source of antioxidants, including flavanols. Research suggests that it can improve heart health. Keto-friendly chocolate should contain 70% cocoa or more.

Stevia, allulose, and monk fruit are three great examples of all-natural sugar substitutes that work perfectly well if you are on a keto diet. They can replace typical table sugar with ease. You can also use erythritol, which is a sugar alcohol that is acceptable for consumption while on a keto diet.

Yes, you can choose to eat regular ice cream on a keto diet if it fits within your daily carbohydrate needs required on the keto diet. Remember, regular ice cream is higher in carbohydrates than keto ice cream, so be sure to check the label to ensure you're within your daily carbohydrate limits.