The ketogenic (keto) diet is a low-carb, high-fat eating plan that has become increasingly popular for its potential health benefits and weight loss effects. To help you succeed on this diet, we’ve created a week-long meal plan with a variety of tasty, easy-to-prepare dishes that adhere to the keto diet’s macronutrient guidelines. Each meal has been chosen to align with the principles of the ketogenic diet, ensuring you enjoy a delicious and nutritious dining experience.
Keto Diet Guidelines
Before diving into the meal plan, it’s essential to understand some key keto diet guidelines:
- Keep daily carbohydrate intake between 20-50 grams.
- Consume moderate amounts of protein (approximately 0.8 grams per pound of lean body mass).
- Prioritize healthy fats, such as avocado, olive oil, and nuts.
- Include plenty of non-starchy vegetables to ensure adequate micronutrient intake.
- Stay hydrated and consume adequate electrolytes.
Sample Week-long Keto Meal Plan
Monday
Breakfast: Keto-friendly omelette with spinach, cheese, and avocado.
This meal is low in carbohydrates and high in healthy fats and protein. Spinach provides essential vitamins and minerals, while the cheese and avocado offer healthy fats to keep you satiated.
Lunch: Grilled chicken salad with mixed greens, olives, feta cheese, and low-carb dressing.
This lunch option provides a moderate amount of protein from the grilled chicken and healthy fats from the olives and feta cheese. Mixed greens offer a low-carb source of fiber and essential nutrients.
Dinner: Baked salmon with a side of sautéed asparagus and hollandaise sauce.
Salmon is a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids and high-quality protein, while asparagus provides fiber and micronutrients. The hollandaise sauce adds extra healthy fats to the meal.
Tuesday
Breakfast: Greek yogurt topped with crushed nuts and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Opt for full-fat Greek yogurt, which is low in carbs and high in protein. Crushed nuts add healthy fats and texture, while cinnamon provides a touch of natural sweetness.
Lunch: Lettuce wrap with deli meat, cheese, avocado, and mustard.
A lettuce wrap is a low-carb alternative to traditional sandwiches. Deli meat and cheese provide protein, and avocado offers healthy fats to support your keto diet goals.
Dinner: Beef stir-fry with broccoli, bell peppers, and a sugar-free teriyaki sauce.
This meal offers a balance of protein from the beef and fiber from the vegetables. Be sure to use a sugar-free teriyaki sauce to keep carb counts low.
Wednesday
Breakfast: Keto-friendly chia seed pudding with a few berries and crushed nuts.
Chia seeds are rich in healthy fats, fiber, and protein, making them a perfect keto-friendly breakfast option. Berries add natural sweetness, and crushed nuts provide extra healthy fats and crunch.
Lunch: Egg salad stuffed into a bell pepper or served over a bed of mixed greens.
Eggs are a fantastic source of protein and healthy fats, while bell peppers and mixed greens provide essential nutrients and fiber without adding many carbs.
Dinner: Grilled shrimp with a side of cauliflower rice and garlic butter.
Shrimp is a lean source of protein, while cauliflower rice offers a low-carb alternative to traditional rice.
Thursday
Breakfast: Keto pancakes with almond flour and a sugar-free syrup.
Almond flour is a low-carb, high-fat alternative to regular flour, making it perfect for keto pancakes. Top with sugar-free syrup for a delicious and keto-friendly breakfast.
Lunch: Cobb salad with grilled chicken, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, and blue cheese.
This salad is packed with protein from the chicken, bacon, and eggs, while avocado and blue cheese provide healthy fats. It’s a satisfying and nutrient-dense meal option.
Dinner: Zucchini noodle spaghetti with ground beef and a sugar-free marinara sauce.
Replacing traditional pasta with zucchini noodles keeps this dish low-carb while still providing essential nutrients. Ground beef offers protein, and a sugar-free marinara sauce keeps carbs in check.
Friday
Breakfast: Keto-friendly smoothie with spinach, avocado, almond milk, and a scoop of low-carb whey protein powder or plant-based protein powder.
This smoothie is packed with healthy fats from the avocado, vitamins and minerals from spinach, and protein from the low-carb protein powder.
Lunch: Tuna salad served in an avocado half or over a bed of mixed greens.
Tuna is a lean source of protein and rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Serving the salad in an avocado half or over mixed greens ensures a low-carb, nutrient-dense meal.
Dinner: Roasted chicken thighs with a side of Brussels sprouts and bacon.
Chicken thighs are a higher-fat cut of meat, making them perfect for a keto meal. Brussels sprouts are low in carbs and high in fiber, while bacon adds extra flavor and healthy fats.
Saturday
Breakfast: Keto-friendly egg muffins with bacon, cheese, and spinach.
These egg muffins are packed with protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients from the spinach. They’re a delicious and convenient keto breakfast option.
Lunch: Chicken Caesar salad with a low-carb dressing.
Grilled chicken provides protein, while the low-carb Caesar dressing offers healthy fats. Be sure to choose a dressing without added sugars.
Dinner: Pork chops with a side of sautéed green beans and a mustard cream sauce.
Pork chops are a great source of protein and healthy fats. Green beans provide essential nutrients and fiber, while the mustard cream sauce adds flavor and extra healthy fats.
Sunday
Breakfast: Keto-friendly granola with full-fat Greek yogurt and a few berries.
This granola is made from nuts and seeds, providing healthy fats and a satisfying crunch. Full-fat Greek yogurt offers protein, while a few berries add natural sweetness.
Lunch: Chicken salad lettuce wraps with celery, mayo, and a touch of Dijon mustard.
Chicken salad is a protein-packed, keto-friendly lunch option. Lettuce wraps keep carbs low, while celery adds crunch and mayo provides healthy fats.
Dinner: Steak with a side of sautéed mushrooms and a loaded cauliflower mash.
Steak is a fantastic source of protein and healthy fats. Sautéed mushrooms add flavor and nutrients, while the loaded cauliflower mash is a low-carb alternative to traditional mashed potatoes.
By following this meal plan, you’ll enjoy a variety of delicious, nutrient-dense meals that align with the ketogenic diet’s guidelines, supporting your muscle-building goals while satisfying your taste buds.
