Category: SELF-CARE

How To Calculate Net Carbs

This topic is literally the most asked about topic that slides into our direct messages on Instagram. We personally consider total carbs and do not subtract fiber or sugar alcohols to track net carbs. Why? Because net carbs give us too much wiggle room to eat processed foods filled with extra fiber.

Imagine eating 2 slices of zero net carb bread that’s actually 24g total carbs — that’s just one meal so the carbs will eventually add up throughout the day and you end up woth 60-70g total carbs and likely kicked out of ketosis. When we limit our carbs to 20g total carbs, it makes us tighten our food choices because we have to focus on proteins, greens, and berries. We like to eat until we feel satiated and we are never satiated with protein bars or other grab and go type keto snacks – which are usually 15-25g total carbs. The best way to know how many total carbs you can eat without getting kicked out of ketosis is to simply test yourself at different total carb counts.

The majority of people we talk to use net carbs to guide their eating. It’s important to know how to calculate net carbs when you are first starting keto. You always want to subtract any fiber or sugar alcohols. Something to note is that if there is allulose, the FDA requires companies to label it as sugar – so read ingredients closely so you can calculate net carbs accurately.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if it seems too good to be true, it’s cause it is. Case in point the three bean medley from Target, Shiitake Mushroom crisps from Costco, and even the Great Value Organic Peanut Butter. The Target and Costco items had international label translation issues which made the net carbs look much lower than they actually are. The Great Value Peanut Butter has an updated label showing a higher carb count on the new label.

If calculating net carbs is overwhelming to you when you are first starting keto, use an app like Carb Manager, which will do the work for you. After several weeks of carb counting, you will get the hang of it and it will be like second nature to you.

Keto for Beginners: A Quick and Easy Guide

If you’re reading this right now, there’s a chance you are just starting your keto journey, want to know more about keto so you can start, or are wondering what we have to say about this lifestyle.

Living a ketogenic lifestyle can sound intimidating or be confusing when you first start out, but it doesn’t have to be that way if do your research up front and keep it simple at the beginning. We always receive feedback from people that they are overwhelmed by the amount of things they can’t eat and don’t know how they could ever sustain cutting out so many of their beloved carbs. Our take is that instead of focusing on what you CAN’T eat, consider what you CAN eat and how you can work it into your daily routine.

Let’s just get the nitty gritty out of the way first.

What is ketogenic diet?

A ketogenic diet is a very low carb (20g net carbs per day), high fat way of eating in order to achieve the metabolic state of ketosis, which converts fat into ketones, which the body will use as a source of energy for the brain. It replaces the need to rely on carbohydrates for energy. The ketogenic way of eating has also been linked to lowering blood sugar and insulin levels – which can lead to multiple health benefits.

How are net carbs calculated?

According to Healthline, Net (digestible) carbs are broken down into individual sugar units and absorbed into your bloodstream. However, your body processes fiber and sugar alcohol carbs differently than digestible carbs.

How do you track net carbs?

Two very common apps to track macros and carbs are MyFitnessPal or Carb Manager. Once you get comfortable, it is also possible to eyeball and intuitively track them once you understand the average net or total carbs in foods you are eating on the regular. If you are just beginning, we recommend using an app until you truly feel comfortable with carb counting and staying within your daily targets.

Here are some recommendations on how to start eating a ketogenic diet:

  1. Talk to your healthcare provider to understand if this is the right lifestyle choice for you. This is optional but recommended as everyone’s bodies are different. What is safe for someone could be dangerous for another.
  2. Do your research. You NEED to do this. Whether that be googling articles like this one or talking to people who have experienced the keto lifestyle – you need to ask questions up front or else you are going to feel lost in a sea of opinions. Do you need to be a keto expert to start eating a ketogenic diet? No way! But you should know the basics such as how to count carbs, understand what ketosis is, common grocery items, and general foods/ingredients to avoid. Build a strong foundation for success.
  3. Get rid of the bad stuff. Donate the sugary, starchy, processed foods living in your fridge and pantry and don’t look back. Out of sight, out of mind. If the flamin’ hot cheetos are not staring you in the eye, you probably will not be tempted to eat them.
  4. Start upping your water intake. Carbs retain water. As you lower your carb intake, water will be flushed out at an increased rate, so you need to remember to maintain your fluid levels as your body transitions.
  5. Avoid the dreaded KETO FLU by adding electrolytes or increasing salt into your food. The keto flu can make you feel like a hot mess and wanting to quit after a few days. Don’t quit, just avoid the keto flu until your body is used to the lower carb intake.
  6. Figure out your targeted macros and/or net carbs you should be intaking each day. You can do this on ruled.me
  7. K.I.S.S. – KEEP IT SUPER SIMPLE! There are so many more keto-friendly or low carb products out on the market today, which is great, but that’s just more temptation and a lot of money to be spent. We love trying new products more than anything, but it’s easy to get caught in the hype when you first start and then you somehow end up with $500 worth of snacks. Start simple with whole foods and unprocessed foods and then work in the fun keto on the go items once you get your bearings straight. You need to know how to fend for yourself at any moment when these products are not available. Eggs, good fats like avocados, grass-fed butter, fatty meats, dark leafy greens are your friends. Start with them first.
  8. Find at least one support system whether it be a friend, family member, coworker, or even a stranger in the #ketocommunity on Instagram or Facebook. There will be times of frustration or stress and you want to be able to cope without turning to sugary or high carb foods.
  9. Give it a hot minute before you give up. It took some time for you to feel the way you do so it will take time to heal both inside and out. Just because you do not see the scale change or see or feel any different, it will take time. Try a few months before you throw in the towel.

So, now what?

Go to the grocery store and set yourself up for success. Have food ready to cook or grab on the go. Here is a sample meal plan:

Keto Meal Plan For 1 Week

To help get you started, here is a sample ketogenic diet meal plan for one week:

Monday

  • Breakfast: Bacon, eggs and tomatoes.
  • Lunch: Chicken salad with olive oil and feta cheese.
  • Dinner: Salmon with asparagus cooked in butter.

Tuesday

  • Breakfast: Egg, tomato, basil and goat cheese omelet.
  • Lunch: Almond milk, peanut butter, cocoa powder and stevia milkshake.
  • Dinner: Meatballs, cheddar cheese and vegetables.

Wednesday

  • Breakfast: A ketogenic milkshake (try this or this).
  • Lunch: Shrimp salad with olive oil and avocado.
  • Dinner: Pork chops with Parmesan cheese, broccoli and salad.

Thursday

  • Breakfast: Omelet with avocado, salsa, peppers, onion and spices.
  • Lunch: A handful of nuts and celery sticks with guacamole and salsa.
  • Dinner: Chicken stuffed with pesto and cream cheese, along with vegetables.

Friday

  • Breakfast: Sugar-free yogurt with peanut butter, cocoa powder and stevia.
  • Lunch: Beef stir-fry cooked in coconut oil with vegetables.
  • Dinner: Bun-less burger with bacon, egg and cheese.

Saturday

  • Breakfast: Ham and cheese omelet with vegetables.
  • Lunch: Ham and cheese slices with nuts.
  • Dinner: White fish, egg and spinach cooked in coconut oil.

Sunday

  • Breakfast: Fried eggs with bacon and mushrooms.
  • Lunch: Burger with salsa, cheese and guacamole.
  • Dinner: Steak and eggs with a side salad.

Always try to rotate the vegetables and meat over the long term, as each type provides different nutrients and health benefits. This meal plan was from Healthline.com, one of our favorite resources for all things keto.

Intermittent Fasting 101

Intermittent fasting is a dietary pattern that involves cycling between periods of eating and fasting. There are several different types of intermittent fasting, including:

  1. Time-restricted fasting: This involves restricting your eating to certain hours of the day, such as only eating during an 8-hour window. I (Vy) personally prefer the 16:8 method while Regina has practiced 18:6 or OMAD (one meal a day) because of her busy schedule and health needs. We do not practice intermittent fasting 365 days out of the year but have found benefits in working some form of it in our regular routines.
  2. Alternate-day fasting: This involves eating every other day, either consuming only very small amounts of food on non-eating days or abstaining from food entirely. We have never personally tried this method.
  3. The 5:2 diet: This involves eating normally for 5 days of the week and restricting calories to 500-600 for the other 2 non-consecutive days. David has done this method and had success with his weight loss and energy levels but it was no sustainable for him long term to stick to that schedule.

During periods of fasting, it is super important to stay hydrated. Water, coffee, and other non-caloric beverages are all acceptable to consume while fasting. I take a liquid vitamin that has a little bit of fruit juice in it, but the benefits from the vitamins are worth it to me. Some people also find it helpful to drink broth or consume small amounts of coconut oil or other healthy fats to help reduce hunger during fasting periods. We’ve seen many people start the day with a simple cup of bone broth and have found success.

There are several potential benefits to intermittent fasting, including weight loss, improved insulin sensitivity, and possibly even increased lifespan. However, it is important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of intermittent fasting.

There are also some drawbacks to intermittent fasting to consider as well. For example, it may not be appropriate for everyone, especially people with certain medical conditions or who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is important to work with a healthcare provider to determine if intermittent fasting is a safe and appropriate option for you. This article is meant to provide a quick overview, not medical advice.

If you are interested in learning more about intermittent fasting, there are many additional studies and resources available online. It is always a good idea to do your own research and consult with a healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your diet.

Morning Skincare Routine

We have a lot of people inquiring about our skincare routine and complimenting on our skin (thank you) so I thought it be easier to have everything I use in one post. 

I use to have 1000 products in my routine thinking it will guarantee good skin but once I paid attention to the quality of ingredients I eliminated all of the unnecessary steps. I also was applying things in the wrong order…oops but hey, my failures are learning lessons for your success.

Here is a nice diagram I found online on the basic steps on how to layer your products and what you need.

I try to be consistent with both AM/PM routines but ya know my laziness gets the best of me sometimes. If I happen to fall asleep in my makeup (huge NO-NO) I would add double cleansing in the morning.

If I followed my own directions the night before then this is my daily AM skincare routine: 

1. Cleanse/Rinse: I have dry skin so I do not use a cleanser in the morning. I wish I knew this tip sooner because I was essentially drying out my skin more by cleansing in AM/PM. Now, I gently rinse with warm water and pat dry.

2. Toner: I like to be efficient and having multi use products. Discovering  Laneige Cream Skin toner was a dream come true. I apply the toner on a cotton pad and wipe my face down. This feels amazing on the skin and doesn’t feel like I’m stripping my skin. 

3. Essence: After using Laneige Cream Skin toner , I honestly didn’t feel the need for using an essence which saves another step and money! But if you wanted to add one, I enjoyed FRESH Kombucha Antioxidant Facial Treatment Essence

4. Serums: Vitamin C is a must have ingredient in any serum you use. It helps with uneven skin tone, rough texture, fine lines, scars, and just gives you a GLOWWWW. I’m on my second bottle of La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Face Serum 

5. Eye Cream: This step is also unnecessary if you use a good moisturizer but because my skin is dryer than the desert I like applying eye cream during the day. I gently pat in Kiehl’s Avocado Eye treatment under my eyes, on my eyelids, and on my laugh lines. You just need a tiny amount and applying this gives my Vitamin C serum time to soak in.

6. Moisturizer: My moisturizer graveyard is ridiculous and shameful. I have purchased and tried out so many before I found my go-to ride or dies. I want something that gives me a hydrating glow, but not too glow-y that I look sweaty. Something that is richer in texture but doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. Thank you psoriasis for making me become a picky bish lol. My ride or dies for the past 2 years: Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream and La Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream 

7. SPF!!!!!!!! If I could only choose one morning skincare product it would be SPF. Without using SPF the rest of the products are pointless. You need SPF even if you’re driving to the store quick. Get into the habit of applying SPF in the morning like how you brush your teeth. SPF is essential to protect your skin, prevent wrinkles, sun damage, etc. We are spending all of this time and money on skincare products but if you don’t wear SPF you are just wasting your efforts. 

I had a hard time finding SPF products that wouldn’t irritate my psoriasis on my face, even the “sensitive” ones would sting my skin.  It has also been hard finding a sunscreen that didn’t effect my makeup foundation color. Currently, i’m on my third bottle of Krave Beauty- The Beet Shield and never looked back. I love how it moisturizes the skin, truly is undetectable, and DOESN’T STING. I apply a generous amount to my face and use what I have leftover in my palm to rub in my neck, chest and hands.  For my no makeup days I also love Glowscreen Sunscreen to protect my skin and give me that fresh faced look . 

8. Bonus: Once a week I shave my face (weird, I know) and exfoliate my face and body. I use this Women’s Disposable Razor to shave my hairy face. This helps brighten up my complexion and remove texture to keep my makeup looking smooth. I use to wax but it was ummmmm painful. Shaving is painless, cost effective and way easier. 

Then I exfoliate my body with Smoothie Star Breakfast Scrub and use ExfoliKate for my face. 


iPad Pro Productivity

Ever since I received the iPad Pro and Apple pen, I have left my MacBook Air to collect dust. The iPad Pro has streamlined my work performance and decluttered my work bag so much, I swear my back pain came from carrying around 15lbs+ of paperwork everyday too. 

I also discovered “digital planning” and OMG, where has this been all of my life? Being able to create custom inserts, with folders, and endless amounts of digital notebooks has been life changing. The Apple Pen also allows me to still get the traditional feeling of writing (that I love) but also has an endless amount of pen styles, highlighters, colors etc all in one. 

After geeking about it hardcore on our IG stories we had tons of DM’s requesting more info so here are all my favs…

iPad Pro 12.9 256gb in Silver

target.com

You definitely do not need to get 256gb but I wanted to make sure I had enough space for all of my files. If you need more storage you can also pay a monthly subscription to apple to keep everything on a cloud.

 

 

Apple pen 

You can use either the 1st gen or 2nd gen with the new iPad Pro. The apple pen feels like a normal pen in your hand and my handwriting looks the same!

 

Apple Magic Keyboard 

This keyboard was just released this year and it’s amazing. If you’re looking to replace your laptop, this is key because it also has a trackpad and the functions we love with a traditional mac keyboard. I love the simplicity of it and it’s very sturdy.

 

iPad Smart Keyboard no trackpad 

If you don’t care for the trackpad and are just looking for a keyboard case, this is a great alternative.

 

Apple USB-C to USB adapter 

Most of my files are located in an external hardrive, this adapter connects your usb to ipad so that you can still access your files. 

Digital planner

again…WHERE…HAS…THIS…BEEN…all my life? Lol i’m a planner addict but I was just wasting so much paper. Usually I would buy a few planners a year or create my own printables because I had different needs. The customization with digital planners is literally endless and way more efficient. I’m able to use ONE digital planner for every aspect of my life. 

 

Digital stickers 

Of course now that my eyes are opened to a whole new world I found my next addiction…DIGITAL STICKERS. Adding a cute post it or bullet points just makes your day a little bit more fun 🙂

 

How to Get Back into Ketosis

If you’re reading this right now, there’s a chance your most recent carb intake was a little more lit than you were expecting. Maybe you ate some carbs, all of the carbs, or too much low carb stuff that ended up being a ton of carbs. Regardless of the reason, you’re here, and you’re wanting to get back into ketosis…like ASAP.

While we are not nutritionists or physicians, we have been eating a ketogenic diet for years now so our lifestyle has it’s super ultra low carb days and some high days that warrant us to need to reset how we’re eating to feel good again. Most of the time when we carb up, the next day isn’t so bad. It’s after we have a little too many benders on the carb train that our bodies start to reject the extra junk and we feel it in our faces, bodies, and just overall. Chances are you are feeling and looking fluffier due to water weight. You did not just undo weeks-months-years of progress in just a few days.

We’ve done a lot of resets – water fasts, OMAD, 16:8, 18:6, eggfasts, carnivore, zero carb week, ketones, and we will truthfully say they have all helped us drop the excess water weight – some easier others. However, out of all of the resets that we’ve done, none have been easier or more enjoyable than a clean 20g TOTAL reboot. The reason why a 20g TOTAL carb reboot works for us is because it goes back to the fundamentals of a ketogenic diet. Low carb, high fat, and focusing on trying to nourish our bodies with the good stuff. The other resets we have done have more restrictions and by day two or three we are coming off a carb high and act HANGRY and all sorts of cray cray. The 20g TOTAL reboot revolves around the idea that you should try to keep your carb count at 20g total or under. That means you do not rely on processed or packaged foods to subtract fiber from your carb count. You simple just eat to fit the 20g total carbs. If you’re feeling the least bit confused, consider this analogy. You have $20 to spend a day on food. Choose wisely. Do you. spend it on vending machine or gas station snacks throughout the day? Or do you strategize and buy foods that will keep you fuller longer? We do a strict 20g total carb reboot for 5 days and then loosen the reigns as we get back into ketosis and start incorporating more fruits, veggies, and the “dirty” (packaged, processed, etc) stuff to continue our lifestyle.

Here are 7 tips and tricks to get back into ketosis. As a reminder, please do not consider the following medical advice – rather, opinions on what has worked for us.

Eat 20g total carbs or fewer each day.

Total carbs means you do not subtract fiber – so you should be leaning on ultra low carbs such as meats, poultry, eggs, cheese, and greens. Remember, sweeteners like monkfruit sweetener still have high carb carbs (before you subtract the sugar alcohol) so if you must sweeten anything – like coffee, use stevia – as its truly zero carb. We’ve started a #20gtotalreboot hashtag on Instagram with a ton of recipes & inspo for you.

Keep it Simple

Y’all should know by now that we are extra – like super extra. We once packed a keto burger with edible gold foil because we had it on hand. You do not have to do that in this case. When you’re trying to get back into ketosis, keep it simple and stick to whole, unprocessed foods as much as you’re able. This will give your body what it needs to continue to heal. Do not over think it. An easy way to think about it is go for the foods that don’t have an ingredient list. You can still season your food – we never said it had to bland.

Drink water and then more water.

We cannot stress how important drinking water is on a ketogenic diet. You would think that drinking a lot of water would over-bloat you, but it helps push the toxins out. Something important to remember is to increase your electrolyte intake as you increase your water and decrease your carbs. Your body will be pushing out the bad stuff but it will also flush out essential minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Pink salt is also a really easy ingredient to sprinkle into your water or add to your meals and it can do wonders.

Move your body. Especially before you eat for the day.

If you’re not already doing so – try starting with 30 mins of physical activity prior to eating in order to facilitate the depletion of glycogen stores. Go for a walk, bike ride, or follow along your favorite YouTube workout video.

Dabble into Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting can be a great tool on your journey back into ketosis. When you fast, your maintains its energy balance by shifting its fuel source from carbs to fats. Think of it as an additional jumpstart to get you back into ketosis.

Increase your healthy fat intake, but watch your calories if you’re trying to lose weight.

Replace the loss of carbohydrates with an increase in healthful fats. Some fats that a person can eat include:

  • coconut oil
  • olive oil
  • avocados and avocado oil
  • flaxseed oil

This will help you feel satiated longer but can also boost your ketone level to get you back into ketosis faster.

Be kind to yourself and remind yourself that keto is a lifestyle.

If you’re committed to a ketogenic way of eating for life, just remember there may be some days you go off plan and that it’s okay. Don’t be hard on yourself if you get kicked out ketosis. Sometimes we get kicked out even when our carbs are low – (ingredients matter). Give yourself some grace and know this is a marathon to better health, not a sprint!

KETO SPRING CLEANING


SPRING HAS SPRUNG KETO BAES! This challenge will run from MARCH 29TH TO FRIDAY APRIL 2ND and will focus on total grams of carbs, upping your step game, and being better with your water intake. Use the hashtag #ketospringcleaning to follow along with other keto baes this week. As a reminder, please consult with your health care provider when you make changes to your diet. We are not nutrition or medical professionals and any suggestions should be taken as opinions.

The guidelines are simple:

  1. Stick to 20g TOTAL carbs or fewer. That means DO NOT SUBTRACT ANY FIBER to get to 20g of total carbs. This also means you will be depending on very low carb foods to get you through the week instead of many processed foods with added fiber or sugar alcohols. This is a great way to refocus your low carb intake and challenge yourself to eat more unprocessed, whole foods.
  2. Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity. Yes, we understand that many of you can barely fit 15 minutes your daily routines between your jobs, families, activities, and general schedule. However, there are many opportunities you can take to fit physical activities, like take the stairs at work, taking a walk during your breaks, parking further away from the entrances if businesses, etc. If you want to achieve something, you’ll make it work.
  3. Try to be consistent with your hydration patterns by hitting at least 100oz of water each day of the challenge. Water is so beneficial on ANY diet, but it’s super helpful when you’re entering a deeper state of ketosis. Your coffee and electrolytes count as water too.

We will support you throughout the week by answering your questions and documenting what we do ourselves to reset for the spring. Follow us on Instagram to watch for story updates, meal ideas, and live q&a sessions.

Before you start, take pictures, measurements, and weigh yourself. This will show you how small changes can make a difference. Make sure you plan ahead by making sure you have plenty of food and ingredient options that will nourish you this week and keep you satiated. Do not plan to wing it the morning of Day 1.

If you need a little TLC because you are new to keto or have never tracked total carbs, here is a sample meal plan with product links to get you through the week. Please note that these are suggestions and you can customize them to ensure success with your reset. If you need more meal ideas, search the #20gtotalreboot hashtag on Instagram to see past meals we have eaten during this type of reset.

We only share products/services that we love. This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission for purchases made through our links.

Keto 5 Day Meal Plan

To help get you started, here is a sample ketogenic diet meal plan:

Pro tips:
-skip breakfast if you are not hungry
-season your food with zero carb seasonings
-mix and match meals you like and don’t eat meals with foods you do not like
-drink a lot of water throughout the day

Monday

  • Breakfast: Bacon, 1/2 avocado, and eggs. 9G total carbs OR pumpkin spice bulletproof coffee 0G total carbs
  • Lunch: Chicken salad with celery sticks 3G total carbs
  • Dinner: Salmon with 1 cup asparagus cooked in butter. 5G total carbs

Tuesday

  • Breakfast: Egg, tomato, basil and goat cheese omelet. 3G total carbs
  • Lunch: Tuna salad with 1 cup cucumber slices. 4G total carbs
  • Dinner: Meatballs & Marinara with sautéed zucchini. 9G total carbs

Wednesday

  • Breakfast: Sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich. 1G total carbs
  • Lunch: BLT lettuce wraps and avocado. 9G total carbs
  • Dinner: Chicken Noodle-less Soup. 6G total carbs

Thursday

  • Breakfast: Omelet with avocado, salsa, peppers. 10G total carbs
  • Lunch: Ground taco meat with butter lettuce wraps and shredded cheese. 3G total carbs.
  • Dinner: Chicken stuffed with spinach and artichoke dip. 3G total carbs

Friday

  • Breakfast: Ham and cheese omelet. 2G total carbs
  • Lunch: Beef stir-fry cooked in avocado oil with broccoli. 6G total carbs
  • Dinner: Bun-less burger with bacon, egg and cheese. 1G total carbs

Bonus

Saturday

  • Breakfast: Sugar-free yogurt with peanut butter, cocoa powder and stevia. 5G total carbs
  • Lunch: Turkey and cheese slices with nuts. 5G total carbs
  • Dinner: Loaded cauliflower soup. 9G total carbs

Sunday

  • Breakfast: Fried eggs with bacon. 0G total carbs.
  • Lunch: Burger with salsa, cheese and guacamole. 5G total carbs
  • Dinner: Steak and hardboiled eggs with a side salad. 5G total carbs

0G-1G carb snacks:
seaweed crisps
pork rinds
pickles
-pepperoni chips
-olives
-hard boiled eggs
-cheese crisps
-beef sticks
bone broth
-deviled eggs
string cheese

0G carb sweets:
-stevia sweetened meringue cookies
-popsicles made with zero carb beverage powders
-sugar free jello
-cinnamon sweetener pork rinds
-stevia sweetened milk tea
-sugar free homemade gummy bears

Have wiggle room?
Choczero – use KETOBAES to save 10% off your order

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Fall into Ketosis Challenge

@theketodashians

New season, better habits! Join us to reset for fall! Daily updates on our instagram page 💕##learnontiktok ##keto ##lowcarb ##fallintoketosis ##easyketo

♬ You Got It – Vedo

W T F happened to Summer 2020?! With the official start of Fall commencing on Sept 22, we thought it would be fun to jump start the new season with a keto based health and wellness reset week starting on Monday, Sept 21st. This challenge will run from Sept 21- Sept 25th and will focus on total grams of carbs, upping your step game, and being better with your water intake.

The guidelines are simple:

  1. Stick to 20g TOTAL carbs or fewer. That means DO NOT SUBTRACT ANY FIBER to get to 20g of total carbs. This also means you will be depending on very low carb foods to get you through the week instead of many processed foods with added fiber or sugar alcohols. This is a great way to refocus your low carb intake and challenge yourself to eat more unprocessed, whole foods.
  2. Aim for 10K steps a day. Yes, we understand that many of you can barely fit 3K steps into your daily routines between your jobs, families, activities, and general schedule. However, there are many opportunities you can take to fit steps in, like take the stairs at work, taking a walk during your breaks, parking further away from the entrances if businesses, etc. If you want to achieve something, you’ll make it work.
  3. Try to be consistent with your hydration patterns by hitting 100oz of water each day of the challenge. Water is so beneficial on ANY diet, but it’s super helpful when you’re entering a deeper state of ketosis. Your coffee and electrolytes count as water too.

We will support you throughout the week by answering your questions and documenting what we do ourselves to reset for the Fall. Follow us on Instagram to watch for story updates, meal ideas, and live q&a sessions.

Before you start, take pictures, measurements, and weigh yourself. This will show you how small changes can make a difference. Make sure you plan ahead by making sure you have plenty of food and ingredient options that will nourish you this week and keep you satiated. Do not plan to wing it the morning of Day 1.

If you need a little TLC because you are new to keto or have never tracked total carbs, here is a sample meal plan with product links to get you through the week. Please note that these are suggestions and you can customize them to ensure success with your reset. If you need more meal ideas, search the #20gtotalreboot hashtag on Instagram to see past meals we have eaten during this type of reset.

We only share products/services that we love. This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission for purchases made through our links.

Keto 5 Day Meal Plan

To help get you started, here is a sample ketogenic diet meal plan:

Pro tips:
-skip breakfast if you are not hungry
-season your food with zero carb seasonings
-mix and match meals you like and don’t eat meals with foods you do not like
-drink a lot of water throughout the day

Monday

  • Breakfast: Bacon, 1/2 avocado, and eggs. 9G total carbs OR pumpkin spice bulletproof coffee 0G total carbs
  • Lunch: Chicken salad with celery sticks 3G total carbs
  • Dinner: Salmon with 1 cup asparagus cooked in butter. 5G total carbs

Tuesday

  • Breakfast: Egg, tomato, basil and goat cheese omelet. 3G total carbs
  • Lunch: Tuna salad with 1 cup cucumber slices. 4G total carbs
  • Dinner: Meatballs & Marinara with sautéed zucchini. 9G total carbs

Wednesday

  • Breakfast: Sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich. 1G total carbs
  • Lunch: BLT lettuce wraps and avocado. 9G total carbs
  • Dinner: Chicken Noodle-less Soup. 6G total carbs

Thursday

  • Breakfast: Omelet with avocado, salsa, peppers. 10G total carbs
  • Lunch: Ground taco meat with butter lettuce wraps and shredded cheese. 3G total carbs.
  • Dinner: Chicken stuffed with spinach and artichoke dip. 3G total carbs

Friday

  • Breakfast: Ham and cheese omelet. 2G total carbs
  • Lunch: Beef stir-fry cooked in avocado oil with broccoli. 6G total carbs
  • Dinner: Bun-less burger with bacon, egg and cheese. 1G total carbs

Bonus

Saturday

  • Breakfast: Sugar-free yogurt with peanut butter, cocoa powder and stevia. 5G total carbs
  • Lunch: Turkey and cheese slices with nuts. 5G total carbs
  • Dinner: Loaded cauliflower soup. 9G total carbs

Sunday

  • Breakfast: Fried eggs with bacon. 0G total carbs.
  • Lunch: Burger with salsa, cheese and guacamole. 5G total carbs
  • Dinner: Steak and hardboiled eggs with a side salad. 5G total carbs

0G-1G carb snacks:
seaweed crisps
pork rinds
pickles
-pepperoni chips
-olives
-hard boiled eggs
-cheese crisps
-beef sticks
bone broth
-deviled eggs
string cheese

0G carb sweets:
-stevia sweetened meringue cookies
-popsicles made with zero carb beverage powders
-sugar free jello
-cinnamon sweetener pork rinds
-stevia sweetened milk tea
-sugar free homemade gummy bears

Have wiggle room?
Choczero – use KETOBAES to save 10% off your order

DIY Mask Chain

If you’re going to wear a mask – make it fashion. This one is also a functional solution for those of you run around a lot and find yourself taking your mask on and off between locations and activities. I personally love my mask chain because there have been so many instances when my mask has dropped to the ground when I eat or drink LOL.

I’ve been seeing a lot of articles about mask chains lately and after browsing several online shops and even purchasing a few on Amazon, I realized I could easily make my own.

To make your mask chain you need three things:

  1. Chain of choice. Craft stores carry a variety of chains in spools and individual styles. Look for them in the jewelry section.
  2. Lobster Clasp. Most chains will come with at least one, especially if you are using a necklace as your chain but you will need two for your mask.
  3. Split Rings. Think of these as adapters for your chains and lobster clasps. These connect the two seamlessly.
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Here are the steps to make your chain mask:

  1. Take a lobster clasp and connect it to a split ring.
  2. Connect the split ring with lobster clasp to each end of the chain.
  3. Clasp each end of the chain onto the ear loop of your mask.
  4. Happy social distancing and stay safe!

*pro-tip, if you have extra costume jewelry or chains in your vanity, this is a great way to give it new life.

 

AM Skincare Routine

We have a lot of people inquiring about our skincare routine and complimenting on our skin (thank you🥰) so I thought it be easier to have everything I use in one post. 

I use to have 1000 products in my routine thinking it will guarantee good skin but once I paid attention to the quality of ingredients I eliminated all of the unnecessary steps. I also was applying things in the wrong order…oops but hey, my failures are learning lessons for your success.

Here is a nice diagram I found online on the basic steps on how to layer your products and what you need.

Hudabeauty.com

I try to be consistent with both AM/PM routines but ya know my laziness gets the best of me sometimes. If I happen to fall asleep in my makeup (huge NO-NO) I would add double cleansing in the morning.

If I followed my own directions the night before then this is my daily AM skincare routine: 

1. Cleanse/Rinse: I have dry skin so I do not use a cleanser in the morning. I wish I knew this tip sooner because I was essentially drying out my skin more by cleansing in AM/PM. Now, I gently rinse with warm water and pat dry.

2. Toner: I like to be efficient and having multi use products. Discovering  Laneige Cream Skin toner was a dream come true. I apply the toner on a cotton pad and wipe my face down. This feels amazing on the skin and doesn’t feel like I’m stripping my skin. 

3. Essence: After using Laneige Cream Skin toner , I honestly didn’t feel the need for using an essence which saves another step and money! But if you wanted to add one, I enjoyed FRESH Kombucha Antioxidant Facial Treatment Essence

4. Serums: Vitamin C is a must have ingredient in any serum you use. It helps with uneven skin tone, rough texture, fine lines, scars, and just gives you a GLOWWWW. I’m on my second bottle of La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Face Serum 

5. Eye Cream: This step is also unnecessary if you use a good moisturizer but because my skin is dryer than the desert I like applying eye cream during the day. I gently pat in Kiehl’s Avocado Eye treatment under my eyes, on my eyelids, and on my laugh lines. You just need a tiny amount (I use too much but enjoy it lol) and applying this gives my Vitamin C serum time to soak in.

6. Moisturizer: My moisturizer graveyard is ridiculous and shameful. I have purchased and tried out so many before I found my go-to ride or dies. I want something that gives me a hydrating glow, but not too glow-y that I look sweaty. Something that is richer in texture but doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. Thank you psoriasis for making me become a picky bish lol. My ride or dies for the past 2 years: Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream and La Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream 

7. SPF!!!!!!!! If I could only choose one morning skincare product it would be SPF. Without using SPF the rest of the products are pointless. You need SPF even if you’re driving to the store quick. Get into the habit of applying SPF in the morning like how you brush your teeth. SPF is essential to protect your skin, prevent wrinkles, sun damage, etc. We are spending all of this time and money on skincare products but if you don’t wear SPF you are just wasting your efforts. 

I had a hard time finding SPF products that wouldn’t irritate my psoriasis on my face, even the “sensitive” ones would sting my skin.  It has also been hard finding a sunscreen that didn’t effect my makeup foundation color. Currently, i’m on my third bottle of Krave Beauty- The Beet Shield and never looked back. I love how it moisturizes the skin, truly is undetectable, and DOESN’T STING. I apply a generous amount to my face and use what I have leftover in my palm to rub in my neck, chest and hands.  For my no makeup days I also love Glowscreen Sunscreen to protect my skin and give me that fresh faced look . 

8. Bonus: Ever pray for thick hair but got it on your face instead? Dats meeeee. Once a week I shave my face (weird, I know) and exfoliate my face and body. I use this Women’s Disposable Razor to shave my hairy face, but this helps brighten up my complexion and remove texture to keep my makeup looking smooth. I use to wax my face but it was ummmmm painful. Shaving is painless, cost effective and way easier. 

Then I exfoliate my body with Smoothie Star Breakfast Scrub and use ExfoliKate for my face. 

@theketodashians

Dry skin struggles. Go to our site for more product deets theketodashians.com ##keto ##selfcare ##skincareroutine ##skin ##wellnessjourney

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