Keto Diet Essentials To Stock Up On: MCT Oils, Keto Snacks, Supplements & More!

A keto diet is an eating plan that focuses on different foods that provide a lot of beneficial fats, good amounts of protein while minimizing your intake of carbohydrates. Some keto diet purists go even further by adopting a no-carb diet. The goal is to get more calories from fat than from carbs.

The diet works by depleting the body of its sugar reserves. As a result, it will start to break down its own fat reserves for energy. This results in the production of molecules called ketones that the body uses for fuel instead of sugar. When the body burns fats, it can also promote weight loss.

In this article, we'll be showing you the top keto diet-friendly items you should already have in your pantry. If you're bored of your typical handful of almonds, be sure to check out these yummy snacks and more below.

Snack bars

Snack bars are perfect for your busy on-the-go lifestyle. You can store these individually-wrapped bars literally anywhere! You can pop one for breakfast on the road, store some at work, toss a few into your gym bag and pack them in your carry-on. These chocolate hazelnut bars contain only fresh, real-food ingredients, and are free from any artificial sweeteners and flavors. They're also gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, peanut-free, non-GMO and vegetarian. They're the perfect keto snack in every sense of the word!

Nut butters

Nut Butters are one of the best high-fat snacks on the market. They're often made by a cool-grind process that produces a creamy base texture with a few small nut chunks (there are also nut butter options that offer a completely smooth texture). We personally think that the slightly chunky texture provides the ultimate nut butter experience.

If you're just getting into trying nut butter, this nut butter variety pack from FBOMB is a great way to start. It contains 16 1-ounce nut butter packets (4 packets of each of the 4 flavors) and includes flavors such as Macadamia Pecan with sea salt and Salted Chocolate Macadamia. These also make an amazing gift for people not on the keto diet!

MCT oil powders

As the name suggests, medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil contains medium-length chains of fats called triglycerides. Due to their shorter length, compared to complex triglycerides, MCTs are more easily digested and many health benefits are linked to the way your body processes these fats. Below are some of the reasons hoe MCT oils can aid in weight loss:

• Lower energy density - MCTs provide around 10% fewer calories than LCTs (long-chain triglycerides) or 8.4 calories per gram for MCTs versus 9.2 calories per gram for LCTs. However, note that most cooking oils contain both MCTs and LCTs, which may negate any calorie difference.
• Increased calorie consumption - Several older animal and human studies show that MCTs may increase the body’s ability to burn fat and calories.
• Greater fat loss - research found that an MCT-rich diet caused greater fat burning and fat loss than a diet higher in LCTs. However, these effects may disappear after 2–3 weeks once the body has adapted.
• Increased fullness - a study found that compared to LCTs, MCTs resulted in greater increases in peptide YY and leptin, two hormones that reduce appetite and help keep people feeling fuller for longer.
• MCTs get used faster - given that MCTs are absorbed and digested more rapidly than LCTs, they’re used as energy first rather than stored as body fat. However, MCTs can also be stored as body fat if excess amounts are consumed.

One of the most popular ways you can enjoy MCTs is in the form of MCT Oil Powders. These powders can be mixed into smoothies or can be taken by themselves. They contain no artificial sweeteners and come in a variety of delicious flavors like vanilla, Dutch chocolate, and hazelnut

Keto-friendly supplements

No diet is 100% fool-proof. That's why you still need good supplements to round out your diet and to make sure you're not deficient in any nutrients. Because the keto diet cuts out a number of food options, it’s a good idea to supplement with specific nutrients. Not to mention, some supplements can help dieters reduce the adverse effects of the keto flu and even enhance athletic performance when training on a low-carb diet.

• Collagen - helps repair joints and keep skin looking young.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids - help maintain a healthy omega-3:omega-6 ratio when following a high-fat diet.
• Vitamin D - facilitates the absorption of calcium. The keto diet doesn't have many food options that are vitamin D-rich.
• Digestive Enzymes - since the keto diet is high in fat, the body needs a little help in digesting it.
• Exogenous Ketones - increased ketone levels in the blood reduce appetite.
• Greens Powder - the keto diet makes eating enough greens quite difficult. Supplementing the vitamins and minerals found in vegetables will be quite beneficial.

It is important to discuss with a doctor, dietitian, or trusted healthcare provider if you plan on going on any sort of diet, especially for people who are trying to manage a health problem or disease. With that said, if you're already on the keto diet, it's a good idea to spice things up since your eating options are fairly limited. With these keto-friendly items, you'll have no trouble being satisfied and happy in your keto diet!