Meal-Prepping, Keto-Curious SO

#1

I’ve been doing keto now for 44 days. My SO is very tentatively expressing curiosity by asking questions like “if I were to go keto what would…” Etc.

So I’m really excited but also a bit nervous because if he gets the keto flu or finds it too hard he might give up, because he’s not coming to it from a place of dire need like I have. He’s been complaining of gaining a little weight, but he’s much younger than I am and really doesn’t have any health issues yet.

Ok my point: I want to help him transition as cleanly as possible and help make it really easy, should he choose to join me. I’m not a bread eater but he is so I’m going to make keto breads and carb-like snacks and have them in the freezer ready to go. But I also have a life and things to do so I need to be efficient.

Can anyone please post their meal-prepping tips and tricks for having things easy and ready to go for a busy work week?

Much appreciated!!

(Stacy) #2

From a cravings perspective he might find it easier to skip the ketofied versions of carbs for a little while.

I only do a bit of prep - At the beginning of keto I batch cooked 3lbs of bacon at the beginning of the week and ate a piece every single time I wanted carbs, bread etc. It keeps nicely in a ziplock and you can eat it cold or warmed up.
I also cut and prewash lettuce every few days. We often do a batch of egg cups (use 12 eggs cracked in a bowl, whisk and add whatever you want to them - meat, cheese, veg, salt, pepper etc. Then bake in greased muffin tins at 350 for 30 min). Those are awesome and so easy to grab for breakfast or take to work for lunch.

Awesome that he is joining you! My hubby started with me (on a whim) and six months later is at goal weight and staying keto because he feels so good!

#3

I’m the only one doing Keto in my household, so its kind of a necessity for me to have Keto foods at my fingertips- just so I don’t get tempted with the carby crap the rest of the family likes. My go to’s are:
Hard boiled eggs. I make a bunch and keep them handy in the fridge
Dill Pickles - great for a sodium boost
Stuffed olives - another great sodium boost
The pickles and olives serve another purpose for me. I have a sweet tooth- a BIG sweet tooth. I find that by eating something insanely salty helps me forget about sugar cravings.
Crunchy Cheddar Cheese slices. I nuke them on parchment paper until they get crunchy. Easy to make ahead of time, and store in tupperware. Use as crackers. Terrific avenue for increasing fat intake- I scooped whipped butter on them, and chow.
Turkey ham - I keep a ziplock or two filled with cubes to munch on.
Macadamia nuts.
Beef short ribs - I cook 2 crockpots full at a time. One, we eat for a meal, the other I salt liberally, slice apart, and sear on cast iron. It morphs into the most delicious beefy-bacon-y tasting delicacy. I then stash it in the fridge, and nibble as I wish.
Avocados
dried coconut pieces (no sugar)
Salads in a jar- I’ve done this a few times, when I know I’ve got a hectic work week ahead. Just layer all the good keto-salad fixins you like, pop the lid on the mason jar, and chill. Easy to grab and eat.
LC Pizza. Crust is made with shredded cheddar and mozzarella, eggs, basil and garlic powder. Baked. Top with pizza sauce and sautéed toppings. Add a little more mozzerella and broil for a minute to get it all gooey. This stuff freezes well. I’ve made “lasagna noodles” with the same ingredients as the pizza crust. Those noodles freeze well also. (Parmesan makes it waaaayyy too salty, IMHO)

I hope some of those ideas might help.

(Jan) #4

@SecondBreakfast, thanks! I’m also a solo-Keto-er with a carby husband. I’ve recently slid into an “I’m too busy I’ll just grab anything” (Keto, of course) mindset. It’s boring. You’ve just reawakened my Keto brain! Thank you! I’m gonna try your beef short ribs idea. And the lasagna noodles, too. I used to make your pizza crust (best one ever!) but forgot all about it. Whoohoooo! Pizza for dinner tonight!

(Jean Taylor) #5

My husband likes meatloaf (keto friendly kind) and bacon wrapped chicken in his lunches. They’re both easy batch cook type things.

He’s pretty lazy and not terribly concerned with variety so typically I think he makes the same meatloaf every time, but I like the idea of it because you can do all kinds of weird things to a meatloaf and completely change the flavor profile.

Also the crunchy cheese crackers someone mentioned above make awesome tostadas or taco shells if you pull the parchment out and fold them while their still very hot. And you don’t have to use cheddar I’ve used muenster and havarti both they’re great. I’ve never actually made enough at once for them to need to keep but if they keep as crackers they should keep as taco shells so it would be another easy meal to prep.

If you do keto bread type things I would check out fathead dough. We don’t use it a lot but it’s probably one of the better things we’ve tried. There are a lot of ways to use it and it doesn’t take much time or effort really. My 2 year old loved fathead pizza pockets.

#6

Just found these little gems today…Bleu Cheese Stuffed Olives. All the salt one needs in a tasty little tidbit.
They are a little pricey, but worth the dough if you need a yummy salty snack to kill a craving.

(Rick) #7

What made it much easier for me was not to abruptly go cold turkey down to <20g/day, but over several weeks to gradually taper off my carbs. As a result - no keto flu. Keep up electrolytes during the transition and it will be much easier.

#8

Good thoughts thank you

#9

I never ever make meatloaf but I always enjoy it