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Starting a keto diet can be both exciting and overwhelming. With its high-fat, low-carb approach, keto requires some adjustments to your pantry, kitchen tools, and daily routine. In this guide I’ll try to cover everything you need to embark on your keto journey, from the essential food items and manufactured keto-friendly products to the key kitchen tools and appliances that will make your cooking and baking easier. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, this checklist will ensure you’re fully equipped to succeed! This post will help you stock your pantry, fridge, and kitchen with the keto essentials so you’re fully prepared to embrace your new low-carb lifestyle. And please don’t panic, you don’t have to have everything in this guide, but just pick and choose the things you think will be most helpful. You can add additional foods and tools slowly.
These are a few of my favorite things. I think I’ve heard that somewhere before! 😄
Section 1: Essential Food Products for a Keto Diet
Overview:
This section will cover the must-have foods that form the foundation of a keto diet, including both whole foods and manufactured keto products. I’ll explain why each item is important, and how it fits into a keto-friendly lifestyle.
Key Items:
Healthy Fats
Examples: Coconut oil, olive oil, butter, ghee, avocado oil
Why it’s essential: Fats make up the majority of your calories on a keto diet, providing energy and supporting ketosis. You don’t want to eat too much though if you are trying to lose weight. You want just enough to keep you from being hungry. I use olive oil and butter primarily, but I also use avocado oil. I buy all the oils and fats I use at Walmart.
Low-Carb Vegetables
Examples: Leafy greens (spinach, kale), cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower), zucchini, mushrooms are my favorites. I buy a lot of cauliflower and make mashed cauliflower and cauliflower rice. This is the best recipe for mashed cauliflower. It tastes better than mashed potatoes!
https://www.virtaworks.com/post/mashed-cauliflower-a-la-george
Why it’s essential: Low in carbs, these vegetables provide vital fiber and nutrients.
Protein Sources
Examples: Eggs, bacon, fish (salmon, cod, tilapia, and sea bass are my favorites) and seafood like shrimp and when you want to splurge lobster. I also love mussels, clams, and oysters. Meat (beef, chicken, pork), and keto-friendly deli meats. I used a lot of eggs starting out and had them for breakfast just about every day. I also love the Applegate sugarfree and nitrate free bacon from Walmart. Applegate also has some sausages with a very small amount of sugar. If the serving of sausage is 3 carbs or less a very small amount of sugar is OK. I also started with breakfast sausage and some other sausages.
Aidell’s is another brand of sausage that I like very much. I buy this at Walmart and Kroger.
Why it’s essential: Proteins help maintain muscle mass and support metabolic functions.
Dairy (Full-Fat & Low-Carb)
Examples: Heavy cream, full-fat cheese, cream cheese, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese. Cottage cheese is trending now and is protein packed. There are so many great cottage cheese recipes here on Virtaworks. The Cottage Cheese Flatbread is SO good to make sandwiches with. Here’s the link.
Why it’s essential: Dairy provides fat and flavor while keeping carbs low.
Keto-Friendly Snacks
Examples: Pork rinds, nuts (almonds, macadamia, etc.), keto protein bars, and jerky. Pork rinds are your crunchy friend. They are great with so many things like dips or with cheese slices or just by themselves. There are some very good brands. I buy the basic Salt and Pepper flavor at Walmart by Mac’s, but some more gourmet flavors I like are by Pork King Good on Amazon. They have pretty much all good, clean ingredients. I love all the flavors. The dessert flavors do have some sugar so best to stay clear of those, but all the savory flavors have good macros. Here’s a variety pack of smaller bags that would be good to try to see which flavors you like best.
Another great Pork King Good Product are the different flavors of pork rind crumbs or pork panko. This is probably the number one product used in keto breading. You can bread just about anything with it. Just dip in beaten egg, then in the pork panko. Skillet fry in oil or use the air fryer. You also can crush your own crumbs with bags of pork rinds, but these ready made crumbs are just a lot easier. They come in great flavors and I have used and like them all original, unseasoned, spicy Cajun, ranch, and Italian. I buy these on Amazon.
Nuts are my nemesis, so I don’t buy them that often. Nuts are fairly high carb, so you need to limit them to an ounce or so per day. If you feel like you can handle that, I like to get this large container of Deluxe Mixed Nuts from Walmart for $13.98. Gosh those nuts look good! Ha! Stay away from me nuts! 😂
I don’t usually like jerky that much. It’s just too tough and hard. I don’t really like the beef logs either, but I have tried these Carnivore Chips before and like them a lot. They come in all sorts of protein flavors like brisket, ribeye, sirloin, chicken, pork, etc. You can buy them on Amazon. They are a little pricey, but so many keto products just are!
Cheese Crisps are another perfect keto snack! There are so many brands, but these are two of my favorites. Whisps I buy at Netrition.com and Walmart and they are very, very low carb and make a great snack or you can also use them with dips, crushed as a good breading, or even sprinkled on salads like croutons. Several great flavors.
(Use this link for 10% off your entire one-time order)
I also like these Sonoma Creamery Pizza Chips in three flavors. I buy them on Netrition. They are also great as a snack and with dips and with nachos.
(Use this link for 10% off your entire one-time order)
I love this Keto Ratio Granola. You don’t need that much to add nice flavor and crunch to yogurt. I will top yogurt with this granola and sometimes will add berries or chocolate chips to it. I also use it with desserts. You can eat it as a cereal and pour heavy cream mixed with almond milk over it. You just need to watch the quantity because it is higher carb at 7 carbs for 1/4 cup. I buy this at Walmart and on Amazon. There are three flavors.
Why it’s essential: Quick and easy snacks that keep you full between meals.
Electrolytes
Electrolytes are very important with a keto diet to replace lost ones when in Ketosis. I get my electrolytes two ways, with an electrolyte drink mix and with bone broth. I will usually use both.
Here’s my post on electrolytes to help explain electrolytes better.
But the brands I use are-
LMNT-So many great flavors!
Ultima-More like a water enhancer but it does have electrolytes. I really do like Ultima.
SALTT-A really great product from Keto Chow. Not quite as salty as LMNT. But Keto Chow also offers just plain electrolyte drops you can add to whatever you are drinking.
This link goes directly to the Keto Chow website where you can check out all the amazing Keto Chow products!
Protein Shakes and Protein Bars
Protein shakes are something I probably didn’t use when I first started keto, but I use them a lot now. They are a great source of protein and are very convenient. Yes, maybe a meal from whole food would be a better choice, but I still think protein shakes are an excellent option. I love to add a protein shake to my iced coffee for breakfast.
I use both a prepared shake and I also use the Keto Chow shakes I make myself. Keto Chow has so many delicious flavors. I’ll also make them without coffee, add ice and they taste like a great milkshake. You can also add a splash of heavy cream for extra fat and richness. I will also add some vanilla extract, but it isn’t that necessary.
Here is info on the Keto Chow shakes and soups.
I also like these ready made Walmart brand shakes.
Keto Protein bars are SO difficult to find a good one. Either they have bad ingredients or too many carbs, or not enough protein. If someone knows of a good one please let me know! BUT I have found one that I have bought before and they are truly delicious. They only have 5 carbs, which is unheard of for a protein bar, but they are small. They have a couple of questionable ingredients like two seed oils and polydextrose, but at 5 carbs and the bar size you’re not consuming that much. The protein is 10 grams which is pretty good for such a small bar. So I think if you want to have this be a treat or have something to carry with you in case you get hungry this might be OK on a limited basis. I just wouldn’t rely on these multiple times per day, but oh my heavens they are very, very yummy. But other protein sources would be better if you can. It also would be a good idea to do a blood test with these bars and make sure they don’t spike your blood sugar.
Manufactured Keto Products
There are SO many products in this category so I’ll just include the products I like best and use the most, also the ones that are good for a beginner. Other than the cauliflower sandwich thins and zero-carb noodles the other products might be good to wait just a bit until you have things under good control. The other products are usually higher carb and could be harder to fit in your meals or even trigger more intense cravings for the keto sweets. So be very careful with these products.
Examples: Keto bread, sugar-free chocolate, keto ice cream, zero-carb noodles.
I remember when the Outer Aisle Gourmet Cauliflower Sandwich first came on the market several years ago I thought I had died and gone to heaven. This was back in the day when there were very few keto products or even keto bread recipes available. Chaffles had not been invented yet either. There was nothing really to even resemble bread! I made my first hamburger with the sandwich thins. I was so excited. So definitely include these. They are only 3 cabs apiece with really good ingredients. They make fantastic mini pizza crusts toasted, but larger crusts are also available and help you make a very easy pizza. Be sure to toast both the sandwich thins and the pizza crusts They make several flavors like original, Italian, jalapeño, and everything bagel.
You can buy these products in some grocery stores. Costco has them and Trader Joe’s has their own brand. Amazon also has them and I’ll put a link below.
The other keto product I use for bread and like a lot is the Fox Hill Kitchens Bread Mix. I like this mix because it contains no wheat and has all good clean ingredients. It mixes up very easily and the dough rises like carby bread dough. I have made so many things with this great mix from rolls, buns, tortillas, pizza crust, chaffles, cinnamon rolls and so much more!
Here is a link with the bread mix information and recipes to make with this amazing bread mix. Oh my heavens the rolls, fresh out of the oven with melted butter are to die for! I use the rolls for sliders and sandwiches. I’ll make hamburger and hot dog buns too.
I also used the bread mix to make a batter and with the batter I made tortillas, waffles, pancakes, chaffles, and desserts. If I’m making a chaffle I’ll just sprinkle a little bread mix in the mixture to give the chaffle a more bread like taste and texture. SO good!
And here is a collection of almost all of the recipes I have tried with the Fox Hill Bread Mix.
Lily’s chocolate is probably the leading keto chocolate manufacturer and I use it quite frequently because I can get it easily at Walmart or on Amazon. There are several flavors too like Milk, Dark, White, Cookies ‘n Cream, Salted Caramel, Pumpkin Spice, Espresso, and more. The chocolate comes in baking chips and bars, also different candies. I would give it a score of 7 on a scale of 1-10. It’s good, I’ve just had better.
These Lily’s milk chocolate baking chips are probably my number one chocolate product I buy. I like the milk chocolate, white chocolate, and salted caramel flavors. I’ll put them in a lot of baking recipes, sprinkle them on yogurt, put them in trail mix, etc. I’ll buy them at Walmart or on Amazon.
One of the better brands of keto chocolate I like is by Choc Zero. It is very, very good, but both brands are very high carb so you have to be very careful with them. I’ll put a few of the products I use from both companies below.
Here are the flavors of Choc Zero baking chips. They are very, very good and I would rate them a 9 on a scale of 1-10. They are 6-8 carbs per tablespoon depending on the flavor so that is going to add up very fast. They also are sweetened with Non-GMO resistant dextrin. I did a post about Choc Zero products and supposedly the sweetener is OK for diabetics, but as I recall it spiked my blood sugar so definitely test if you think you could have a problem. But the white chocolate is my favorite and it’s amazing!
I talk about the Non-GMO resistant dextrin in this post and also several other Choc Zero products. I do think it probably would be better to wait a little while after starting keto before trying keto sweets.
Click on the link above to save 10% off your first time order!
Now to a chocolate I think you could start fairly soon! This Keto Belgian chocolate by LaNouba is SO good you would never think it’s keto at all. I usually buy 2-3 boxes at a time. That basically is enough to last me 6-12 months. This chocolate is beyond good and the milk chocolate bar is less than 7 carbs. The bar is in sections so you could just break off a little piece to have at a time. The best place to buy it is on this great site called Netrition and they have all sorts of keto products at great prices. These bars are only $1.75 and come in a box of 20 for $34.99.
Milk chocolate is my favorite, but I even like the dark chocolate too! I rate both the flavors a 9.5! There is another flavor with hazelnuts but it’s almost 15 carbs per bar. It’s still doable , but you probably won’t be able to eat as much at one time.
La Nouba makes two kinds of low carb bars. You want to make sure you buy the one sweetened with stevia. It also is frequently out of stock I suppose because it is so popular, but it usually is back in stock fairly soon, so don’t give up That’s another reason I buy 2-3 boxes at a time. Click this link to take you to the correct one and you also get 10% off your first entire order!
Keto ice cream can be a very satisfying snack or dessert, but I have found that making my own ice cream saves a lot on carbs. Here are two ice cream recipes, but check out all of the different ice cream recipes on virtaworks.com
I absolutely loved this recipe! So very creamy and delicious.
These Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cups were beyond good!
But there are some manufactured ice cream products that are very good! I’ve tried quite a few of them, but my favorite keto ice cream is by Rebel and there are several flavors to choose from. Below are just a few. It also is fairly high carb, so you have to be careful. Make sure you leave it out for a few minutes on the counter so it won’t be quite as hard to eat.
Low Carb Pasta
I’ve tried SO many low carb noodles. Even made my own. Here’s a recipe for some quick and easy homemade pasta noodles.
But there are so many pasta options! I’ve written four posts on all the pastas I’ve tried.
Another favorite way to get that pasta feeling are with plant based noodles made with zucchini, spaghetti squash, or cabbage to name a few. I’ll put a link below under appliances for a spiralizer to make the noodles with, usually with zucchini. Here’s a great zoodles recipe to try.
Another delicious plant-based noodle uses hearts of palm. There are basically two companies that make these. Natural Heaven and Palmini. Both are equally good. Palmini and Natural Heaven both have a really great lasagna noodle that is so close to a carby lasagna noodle I think it could fool someone, maybe! I boil the heats of palm noodles for at least 15 minutes to soften them up some, but they still are a little chewy. You can buy Palmini at some grocery stores and on Amazon and Natural Heaven on Amazon.
Here’s a great variety pack of the Palmini noodles which includes the lasagna noodles plus a rice and mashed. For the mashed I add a little cream cheese, butter and Havarti cheese and blend it all together wirh a stick blender or food processor and add seasoning salt and pepper. Also with both brands you are getting a vegetable in the form of pasta!
And for the Natural Heaven. They also have rice and it tastes very much like cauliflower rice. I think along with the Palmini it’s a bit higher carb than cauliflower rice though.
Now to the shirataki noodles, there are so many it would be too much to include them all here. But shirataki noodles are the go-to keto noodle. They are very low carb and low calorie so they are perfect for keto to give you that pasta feeling. Are they just like carby pasta-NO! they are not. But they make me happy, they make keto sustainable for me and help me to feel like I haven’t lost my favorite carb-pasta! But these are my two favorites and yes, they are a little chewy, but I feel like I’m eating pasta and that makes me happy. You can sub these noodles in just about any pasta dish except maybe those shapes that are like macaroni. I’ve found a shirataki macaroni a couple of times, but they are hard to find. There are some higher carb pastas that come in all the shapes, but they usually are just too many carbs.
The two brands I like the best are It’s Skinny Pasta and Miracle Noodle. It’s Skinny is only 2 carbs per serving and only 4 carbs for the entire bag, but it does contain some oat powder in addition to the main ingredient of Konjac flour. At only 4 carbs for the entire bag there can’t be that much. Just test if you need to. Spaghetti, Fettuccine , Angel Hair, and Rice are some of the shapes. They also have a Pappardelle, which has been fun to use the wider noodles.
Here’s the Pappardelle shape! I just discovered this one and really like like it. Here’s a link to the recipe I made with it. A yummy Pumpkin and Pork Pappardelle.
It’s Skinny also makes a cup of Chicken Noodle Soup that is similar to how Ramen soup is packaged. The It’s Skinny soup comes with a noodle packet, a seasoning packet, and a dehydrated veggie packet and even a little spoon! All you do is pour boiling water in the cup and put the lid on for a few minutes and you have a really delicious and filling cup of soup for only 7 carbs!
Miracle Noodles were my very first shirataki noodles. And seven years ago they were like eating rubber bands, but I still thought they were good because they made me feel like I had my beloved pasta again. But over the years they have perfected the process and I think their ready-to-eat noodles are much better.
Why it’s essential: These products help satisfy cravings and offer convenient options for busy days.
Condiments
Condiments can elevate your keto meals, but many are loaded with hidden sugars and carbs. So read the labels carefully. When choosing keto-friendly condiments, look for options with minimal added sugars and clean ingredients. Carbs from condiments can add up fast.
Common Keto Condiments:
Mayonnaise: Probably the number one keto condiment. You want a mayo without bad seed oils and the best one I have found is Sir Kensington’s Avocado Oil Mayo. It bothers me it’s a bit pricey though, but the avocado oil is so much better for your health. You can choose other sugar-free and avocado oil-based brands like Primal Kitchen or Chosen Foods.
Mustard: Yellow, Dijon, and spicy brown mustard are naturally low-carb.
Hot Sauce: Options like Frank’s RedHot and Tabasco add heat without carbs.
Sugar-Free Ketchup: Look for brands like Heinz No Sugar Added or G Hughes. GHughes makes so many great sauces and keto products they are practically endless! Here is a link on Walmart to most of these very delicious sauces.
https://www.walmart.com/browse/g-hughes/YnJhbmQ6RyBIdWdoZXMie
BBQ Sauce: Try G Hughes or Primal Kitchen for low-carb options.
Soy Sauce Alternatives: Use coconut aminos for a soy-free, slightly sweeter option.
Salad Dressings: Opt for creamy or oil-based dressings like ranch, Caesar, or vinaigrettes from Primal Kitchen. I also like to make my own. Lots of recipes on virtaworks.com.
Bone Broth
I like Bone Broth and use it just about every day. It has become a keto staple for a reason—it’s packed with nutrients and health benefits that far surpass what a bouillon cube can offer. Bone broth is rich in collagen, amino acids, and essential minerals like calcium and magnesium, supporting joint health, digestion, and skin elasticity. It’s also a natural source of electrolytes, making it perfect for combating keto flu symptoms.
It also has about 430 mg. Of sodium so it’s a good source for that.
In contrast, bouillon cubes are often loaded with artificial flavors and preservatives without providing the nutrient density of bone broth. While convenient, they lack the gut-healing and anti-inflammatory properties of slow-simmered bone broth.
A clean, flavorful, and nutrient-rich option, bone broth is a clear winner for keto dieters and anyone prioritizing their health.
This is my favorite brand by LonoLife because it comes in such great flavors. LonoLife comes in a large bag or these great individual packets that are very convenient because they are good on-the-go. These bone broths made from high-quality ingredients, provide a quick and nutritious option. The LonoLife products are free from artificial flavors, sweeteners, preservatives, added sugar, MSG, and shellfish.
Available Flavors:
Grass-Fed Beef Bone Broth
Savory Chicken Bone Broth
Mushroom Chicken Bone Broth
Thai Curry Beef Bone Broth
Low Sodium Beef Bone Broth
Tomato Beef Bone Broth
Low Sodium Chicken Bone Broth
Sriracha Chicken Bone Broth
Sriracha Beef Bone Broth
Here is my post about LonoLife Bone Broth and I buy it on their website and on Amazon. I also have bought special flavors that they offer on QVC and in Walmart.
Here’s where to get it on Amazon. I love this Sriracha Beef flavor.
Sweeteners
Sweeteners can get confusing. The main choice is whether to have artificial sweeteners and/or natural sweeteners. That’s the big debate. I won’t go into all the reasons because it is most definitely a personal decision, but I “try” to stick with the natural sweeteners as much as possible and I tend to use about three. Stevia, Allulose, and Erythritol. So that’s what I will discuss
Examples: Stevia, erythritol, monk fruit sweetener
Probably my most favorite sweetener of all is stevia. A long time ago, I tried stevia and probably was using too much and that can make it bitter. So add just a Lott,e bit at a time. I use both the powdered and liquid stevias, and also I like the flavored stevias. I use the flavore in baking and I love this English Toffee flavor in my iced coffee!
This is just a good, plain stevia that you can use in so much You want to read the labels carefully and ingredients to make sure there aren’t a bunch of additives
I use this powdered organic stevia mainly in baking. It is pure stevia.
I love the English Toffee Stevia in my iced coffee. But I have also used the pumpkin spice and the lemon for desserts. Here are all the flavors and I particularly like the Sweet Leaf brand over some of the others.
Two other sweeteners I like are Allulose and Erythritol. Both of these are very good in keto baking because they add good volume. I like Allulose especially because it measures 1:1 with table sugar, but it can have a blood sugar lowering effect that is always a bonus. But unlike the zero carb Stevia, both Allulose and Erythritol have a lot of carbs.
I also use Swerve. It’s very good to use with keto baking and I especially like the brown sugar Swerve.
Why it’s essential: Keto-compliant sweeteners replace sugar without spiking blood sugar
Baking Essentials for Keto
Overview:
Baking on keto is different from traditional baking due to the absence of regular flour and sugar. In this section, I’ll cover all the key baking ingredients and utensils you’ll need to recreate your favorite recipes while staying in ketosis.
Key Items:
Keto-Friendly Flours
I also like the Great Value Walmart brand.
Here’s the scoop on coconut flour. I don’t use coconut flour quite as much as almond flour. Coconut flour is very absorbent so you might have to add some more liquid to your recipe or it can be dry. I don’t detect that much of a coconut taste, but some people do.
The Bob’s Red Mill products are excellent also.
Why it’s essential: These flours are low in carbs and essential for keto baking.
Binding Agents
Examples: Xanthan gum, psyllium husk, gelatin
Why it’s essential: These agents provide structure and texture to keto baked goods.
Xantham Gum I do think you need as a keto diet beginner. It is an excellent thickener, and it lasts forever because it just requires a very small amount. To use it as a thickener start out with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon and give it time to thicken before adding more. It can alter the recipe dramatically if you use too much. Less is more with xanthan gum!
Here is the brand I’ve been using for a long time.
I’m using psyllium husk more and more. It’s very good for adding a bread-like texture to keto baking. You probably won’t need it just starting out though, but I will include what I use. Also there is something that happens when using psyllium husk, depending on the brand, but some turn whatever you’re making a slight tint of purple.
Psyllium Husk is also a good thickener.
I’ve bought this brand three times and it has not turned anything purple!
Probably when I started keto seven years ago, beef gelatin wouldn’t have been considered an essential ingredient just starting out, but I’m noticing more and more how often it’s being used. A lot of times it is even toasted for certain recipes. It’s kind of a secret ingredient because it adds flavor, nutrition, it’s a thickener and adds texture also. So I think definitely get some beef gelatin.
Baking Utensils
Silicone Baking Mats and Molds: Perfect for non-stick convenience. I love using silicone because nothing sticks to it. I think these silicone baking mats are so useful! They also are environmentally friendly because you don’t have to use parchment paper. I use these all the time.
Silicone Molds- I also use several silicone molds. The sky is the limit on these, but I especially like this silicone insert that fits in my air fryer. I use it to cook so many things, but it’s great for a quick breakfast quiche.
Here’s a recipe for one.
I also have so many other molds that I make keto candy, muffins, and so much more! Everything just pops out so easy! But those aren’t essentials just yet. I think a silicone muffin pan probably would qualify though.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precision is key in keto baking due to different flour densities.
Mixing Bowls: Essential for combining wet and dry ingredients.
Baking Sheets and Parchment Paper: Ideal for keto crackers, cookies, and bread. I have a bake set similar to this set and I particularly like the meatloaf pan with the insert to easily lift the meatloaf out. But you will definitely use all the pieces in this great non-stick set.
Meal Prep Containers-It is very useful to have the same size containers for your meal prep because everything fits in the same. Glass with lids are another plus, but of course any Tupperware or other containers you have will work too. Here is a great set to have.
I like how these are divided and have a great, no-leak snap-on lid.
Kitchen Appliances for a Keto Lifestyle
Having the right kitchen appliances makes preparing keto meals easier and faster. In this section, I’ll discuss the most useful kitchen tools for keto cooking, meal prepping, and more.
Key Items:
Chaffle Maker-I would say this is the number one keto appliance you need to get. Chaffles are just so important to a keto lifestyle. They give you the feeling of bread again without all the carbs!
And if you can this multi-chaffle maker makes chaffle-making even easier! '
Blender or Food Processor
I have 2 blenders, well actually three if you count the handheld immersion blender and use all of them for various purposes. I’m trying to think if any could be eliminated. Not really. Maybe the smaller Nutri Bullet and just make everything in the large Vita Mix blender I have. But I love the Nutri Bullet because it’s so easy to make smoothies and protein shakes and then I just drink it out of the blender cup! No more washing!
So I really do think blenders are essential keto tools and this is what I have and can recommend.
Vita Mix- I remember going to the Texas State Fair and being fascinated by the Vita Mix demonstrations every year. It made hot soup AND ice cream, plus so many other things. It’s basically considered the creame de la creme of blenders. I’ve always wanted one and finally got one a couple of years ago and love it so much. The power it has is truly amazing. I would say just don’t fool around with this. Just get the best if you can. I don’t think you will regret it.
I wish I hadn’t waited so long. Makes great margaritas!
Nutri Bullet- I love how this Nutri Bullet comes with the caps for drinking. Great for smoothies.
Immersion Blender-These are just so handy, especially if you need something blended quickly. You can blend it in the container it’s in or even while it’s cooking on the stove. I love the whisk attachment to whip heavy cream quickly and the chopper attachment. There even is a milk frother.
Why it’s essential: Great for making fat bombs, smoothies, sauces, and keto-friendly nut butter.
Air Fryer-My Ninja Foodi Grill and Air Fryer is probably my most used kitchen appliance. In case of a house fire, I’m grabbing my Ninja Foodi Grill! I use it almost every day and the feature I like best is that it is the best grill. It puts grill marks and it doesn’t smoke up the house at all. The air fryer cooks everything so fast too, dinner can be ready in minutes. I bake in it, roast in it and I have even tried the dehydrator. I cook everything in it! Do yourself a favor and get one of these as fast as you can!
Why it’s essential: Cooks keto meals like crispy chicken thighs, bacon, and veggies quickly with less oil.
Instant Pot or Sloww Cooker-I just have a very basic Crockpot. I don’t have an Instant Pot because they scare me! Ha! My mother told me a story when she was using one and it blew up all over her kitchen and ceiling. But that was a long time ago and the Instant Pots of today I’m sure are much safer, but I just don’t risk it. So I don’t know much about them
My kitchen appliance obsession continues and this is on my wish list. It’s a multi cooker that does all the cooking for you! It stirs and shreds with a built in paddle! Isn’t that genius?
STIRMAX DELUXE 7.5 Quart Digital Multi-Cooker with Automatic Paddle to Stir and Shred, 9 in 1 programmable presets to Slow Cook, Sauté, Sear, and Brown Food Before Simmering – Accessories, Skillet, & Cookbook
Why it’s essential: Perfect for batch-cooking keto soups, stews, and roasts, making meal prep a breeze.
Spiralizer-A spiralizer can take a zucchini or other vegetables and turn them into pasta lije magic! I use the small spiralizer for a quick serving for me or the large spiralizer is I’m doing a larger quantity.
This works great doesn't take up much room.
This one is easier for larger quantities.
Why it’s essential:This is a great way to have your pasta and veggie all rolled into one!
Digital Scale-
A digital scale really is a must in order to properly track things. You can try just estimating, but that usually doesn’t work very well.
Why it’s essential: Helps with portion control and accurately tracking macros, especially for carb-sensitive ingredients.
Stand Mixer and Hand Mixer-My stand mixer is a Kitchen Aid and I’ve had it for 40 years. It’s considered the best mixer because of its durability and there are so many fun attatchments for it. If you can, just go on and buy the best. That’s kind of my motto and I usually never regret it. I do regret it a lot of times if I buy a less expensive version and it breaks down or is not as good.
I also have a Kitchen Aid hand mixer and it does a great job! It has some great attachments too!
Why it’s essential:Very helpful, especially with keto baking.
Conclusion
I hope all these items aren’t too daunting for you. You can definitely buy small amounts at a time when you’re getting started. Embarking on a keto diet doesn’t have to be complicated if you’re well-prepared. By stocking up on the right food products, acquiring the essential baking utensils, and having the right kitchen appliances, you can set yourself up for success. The better equipped your kitchen is, the easier it will be to prepare delicious keto meals that fit within your macros. With these essentials, you’re ready to begin your keto journey and enjoy the health benefits that come with it!
Wishing you good health and happiness,
Denise♥️
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