Finding keto shakes is becoming increasingly easier than preparing a low-carb meal yourself. You can walk into stores like Walmart or surf online on Amazon and get keto products that vibe with your preferred keto diet. So why do you need a guide?
You see, the problem is not that ketogenic meal replacements aren’t prevalent in the market. It’s that most brands that sell ketogenic shakes either just sell protein shakes or shakes with enough carbs to knock you flat out of ketosis. But keto shakes are more than just pro-protein and anti carbs. The best keto shakes in 2021 will keep you in a healthy and satisfying state of ketosis throughout the day. As we have already established, finding a keto shake is easy, but choosing the right one is incredibly difficult. Below, we have compiled all of the need-to-knows and factors to consider before selecting a keto shake.
What is a Keto Diet?
All too often, we lose sight of what it truly means to be ketogenic. A good keto diet comprises of low-carb, high-fat foods that help you efficiently maintain ketosis -a metabolic state in which your body uses fat as its primary source of energy. Such a diet should ultimately contain carbohydrates -5%, protein -25%, and fat -70%. Ketosis is a very effective weight-loss program because your body basically becomes an efficient fat-burning machine since fat has become the new energy source. A ketogenic diet also has other health benefits, like raising insulin levels in pre-diabetic people and persons with type 2 diabetes. Many individuals don’t have the time to prepare keto-friendly meals every time.
What are keto shakes and how do they work?
If you are an indecisive person, then you have nothing to worry about because food choices become even more complicated when maintaining ketosis. So, the supplement industry has seized the opportunity and released a slew of keto meal replacement shakes and supplements that are high in fat and low in carbs and sugars, as per the demands of ketogenic principles. MCT oils and fat supplements that digest more quickly than in other foods are also some ingredients that ketogenics will find effective.
As a meal replacement, keto shakes must taste good and keep you full for obvious reasons. Also, Keto shakes can sometimes be repurposed in cooking delicious keto meals or in coffee as a creamer, which is undoubtedly a plus.
What should you consider before choosing a keto shake?
Your dietary goals and lifestyle are the driving factors for choosing keto shakes. We have discussed the main elements to consider before selecting a keto shake below.
Ingredients
Appetite-suppressing ingredients such as medium-chain triglycerides (MCT oil) and beta-hydroxybutyrates (or BHB — a ketone body) are present in most keto shakes. And since keto shakes stand as a meal replacement, you have to choose shakes with keto-friendly ingredients that are high in fiber and will keep you feeling full for longer. If your goal is to live healthier and make better food choices, please avoid shakes with artificial ingredients. As much as possible, choose a keto shake that contains natural sources of ingredients and all-natural ingredients. For example, a keto shake with coconut oil as its source of MCTs rather than MCT powder.
Sweeteners
Keto shakes should have no sugar content, and the type of sweetener used for the shake matters. There is evidence that suggests that some artificial sweeteners have a negative effect on how your body responds to glucose. Your best bet is to opt for natural sweeteners and completely shun keto shakes laced with sugar alcohols.
Calories
If you are looking to replace a full meal and entirely depend on keto shakes, you need a substitute with enough calories to meet your daily calorie intake. Keto shakes with a caloric value between 400 to 600 calories per serving are an excellent choice. But you need to know for yourself what your daily calorie needs are before and then buy a keto shake that will meet up.
Net carbs
Limiting your carbohydrate intake is the whole point of a ketogenic diet, but ironically most ket shakes are full of carbs. And this is not in the fibers because although fibers increase the carbohydrate levels, and many keto shakes contain large amounts of fiber, your body doesn’t use carbs from fibers as a source of energy. The carbs you need to worry about are those on the product body or packaging, written as “net carbs.” If the net carbs of a keto shake aren’t clearly written, you can determine it by subtracting the grams of fiber from the total carbs. For example, DannyK keto shake has 18 grams of carbohydrates and 15 grams of fiber, which means DannyK has 3 grams of net carbs.
Protein Content
Protein in moderate amounts is good for the body, especially for people who work out regularly. However, if consumed in excess, it can be converted to glucose by the body, albeit slowly, and knock you out of ketosis. We recommend that the protein content of whatever shake you choose should not go further than 20% of the total macronutrient content of the bottle.
Fat Content
In the absence of carbohydrates, fat becomes the primary source of fuel in any keto diet. A good keto shake must contain a high amount of fat -about 75% of the total caloric value of the bottle. The type of fat is also essential, and as a result, shakes that contain unsaturated fats in high amounts are the only ones you should choose.
Make sure you consult with your doctor or dietician before starting any diet or buying meal replacement products.
Best Keto Shake FAQs
Q: Do keto shakes work?
A: If your goal is to live healthier, lose some weight and temporarily boost your energy, then keto shakes work.
Q: What are the best low carb meal replacement shakes to buy?
A: After thorough research, we believe Zone Perfect Keto Shakes, Keto Science Ketogenic Meal Shake, SlimFast Keto Meal Replacement Shake Powder to be the best and healthiest low carb meal replacement shakes available in the market.
Q: What is the best keto shake?
A: You will find that it all depends on your goals and dietary lifestyle. So once you can determine where you’re going and how you want to go, you will find a keto shake that is best for you.