Hearty Delicious Keto Chili for Game Day

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large red onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 2 pounds lean ground beef, ground venison, ground buffalo, or other ground meat
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 28 oz organic diced tomatoes
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 1/2 cups beef stock or other stock
• 2 tablespoons Keto Zone® Taco Seasoning
• additional salt and pepper to taste 

 Instructions

1. In a non-stick pan or skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Once heated, add chopped onion, peppers, and garlic. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
2. Increase the heat to high and add the ground beef. Break apart, stir, and cook until mostly browned.
3. Add the remaining ingredients and reduce to low. Cover and simmer for 1 ½- 2 hours, until thick. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
4. Serve chili in bowls and top with jalapenos, avocado slices, fresh red onion, shredded cheese, sour cream, and parsley or other Keto Toppings. Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups. Serves 8.

Nutrition info per 1 1/2 cups: 297 calories, 19 grams fat, 3 grams net carbohydrates (7 grams total carbohydrates, 4 grams fiber), 510 mg sodium, 23 grams protein

Storing and Freezing: This chili stores and freezes well. Store chili in the refrigerator, covered for up to 3-4 days. Or, freeze for up to 6 months.

More Delicious Keto Game Day Foods

You don’t need carbohydrates to enjoy delicious foods on game day! In fact, your game day menu can be brimming with festive, fun, flavorful foods while staying in the Keto Zone®.

Keto Chili is a great start. Here are a few more to add to the menu:

• Keto Zone Appetizers: Bacon Wrapped Brussel Sprouts, Veggies & Cheese Kebabs, and Smoked Salmon? Yes, please! These Keto Zone appetizers are great way to start off the game day festivities.
• Keto Zone Guacamole and Keto Zone Ginger Dips: Or, you may want a dip for your veggies, Keto Zone crackers and chips.
• Keto Asian Meatballs: Make some meatballs and stick a toothpick in each for an easy, healthy, Keto Zone game day food.
• Crispy Keto Chicken Wings and Sauces: Just 0.5 grams of net carbs per serving! Wings are the perfect keto game day food!
• Fajitas: Fajitas are also a great meal for any big game. These fajitas are made in the slow cooker, so you can enjoy the first half while they cook.
• Keto Bacon Burgers: Nothing says big game like a big keto burger! These bacon burgers are delicious and keep it in the Keto Zone.
• Take-Out Options: Or, kick up your feet and order out. Follow our guide to make great keto choices with take-out options.

Why Keto Game Day Foods?

It’s no secret that most game day spreads are loaded with refined carbs, sugars, processed foods, chemicals and junk. While many people start the new year off with health goals in mind, football parties and other festive days can sabotage even the best intentions.

To live a healthy Keto Zone lifestyle, it’s imperative to learn to eat and enjoy healthy foods on these days rather than succumbing to yo-yo dieting.

Amazingly, as you make delicious Keto Zone game day foods, you’ll find it’s really not hard to stay in the Keto Zone, enjoy delicious foods, have fun with family and friends, and tune into the big game!

Bottom Line

Want to enjoy the game, delicious foods, and stay in the Keto Zone? Look no further! Start with our delicious Keto Zone Chili and round it out with our many amazing Keto Zone game day options. Let us know what makes your menu this year!

The post Hearty Delicious Keto Chili for Game Day appeared first on Keto Zone® | Dr. Don Colbert, MD.

But, social situations don’t have to be uncomfortable, difficult, or scary.

Whether eating out or going to a party, you can make Keto Zone work easily.

Here is a step-by-step guide to stay in the Keto Zone at any summer social gathering.

Keto Zone Restaurant Eating: 5 Steps to Summer Restaurant in the Keto Zone

Have a plan ahead of time if possible (many menus are online). Then, don’t be afraid to be picky if needed. You’re paying for it, and you have bigtime health goals!

Step #1: Drinks

Drinks, anyone? Start with water, sparkling water, tea, coffee, or another non-sugary drink (there may be stevia-based options). Avoid soft drinks, lemonades, or sugary-alcoholic drinks.

Step #2: Appetizers

If choosing an appetizer, order a salad or meat and cheese plate (sans crackers). The best dressing option is olive oil and vinegar. Or, carry your own small keto zone dressing with you.

Step #3: Main Course – Omit the Carbs

Time for the main course.  Omit any starch, grain, or carbohydrate to start. This means no pasta, rice, potatoes, beans, tortillas, bread, etc. If they come as a side, simply ask the waiter to leave them off your plate. Ask to sub an extra side of vegetables.

Step #4: Focus on Vegetables, Proteins and Fats

Focus on the delicious foods you can have. Choose a nourishing protein such as seafood, steak, chicken, duck, or bison. Add sautéed or fresh vegetables (verify that these are sautéed in oil or butter, without extra sauces). If needed, ask for extra butter, cream, or olive oil to round out your dinner.

Watch out for high-carb sauces: Ketchup, BBQ, Sriracha, Buffalo Sauce, and most gravies contain sugars or flour.

Step 5: Dessert Options

If staying for desserts with others, enjoy coffee or herbal tea with cream. If you really want another food, ask if the restaurant can provide berries with cream, or berries with cheese.

Examples:

1. Cheese plate appetizer, Steak or Salmon over Salad, Decaf Coffee for dessert.
2. Miso Soup, Sashimi with grilled vegetables, Warm Jasmine Tea for Dessert
3. Grilled Chicken Sandwich or Burger wrapped in lettuce, Side Salad

Keto Zone Party Eating: 7 Steps to Stay in the Keto Zone at Parties

Step #1: Workout

Consider a short workout within 1-2 hours before you go. A good workout can keep you in the Keto Zone physically and mentally. Here’s how:

One, your body will continue to “burn” extra carbohydrates efficiently, and improve glucose control in the hours after your workout (carb intake should still be minor) (1).

Two, if you consume a high-protein recovery snack after your workout, you won’t be as hungry for the party food.

Three, a good workout can be highly motivating and remind you of your goals (but make sure you don’t give into “deserving” to eat extra).

Step #2: Eat Ahead

Reduce “Stress Eating” by eating a Keto Zone meal before you go.

First, eat a moderately-sized keto zone meal. Then, consider anything at the party to be just a small about of “extra” Keto Zone food. Instead of focusing on the food, you’ll have a lot of time to really enjoy the people and any activities. Keep a low-carb drink handy and enjoy the time spent!

Step #3: Bring Keto Zone with You

Bring Keto Zone dishes you want. Others will appreciate it, too.  If you’re bringing just one thing, concentrate on the course of the meal that you think will give you the most trouble. For example, bring a Keto Zone dessert or Keto Zone drink.

Or, you can always bring a meat with a high-fat delicious sauce, low-carb salads, heavy whipped cream and berries, dessert, or meats and cheese.

Step #4: Keto Zone Drinks

Have a plan for drinks.

It’s no surprise that many people completely derail their healthy eating plans with just one sugary drink, whether eating in the Keto Zone or not.

In fact, a typical sugary punch packs in 30+ grams of sugar and carbohydrates per serving (2).

Opt for a “skinny” cocktail or mocktail, decaffeinated tea, water with cucumber and lemon (always a party pleaser), or another low-carb drink. Again, if needed, bring something to share.

Step #5: Look for a Cheese Plate

Many parties offer appetizers you can eat as a meal. Look for it, or bring a beautiful, festive plate or cutting board of meats, cheeses, vegetables, and a high-fat sauce. This is sure to be a hit and a great addition to the feast.

Step #6: Enjoy the Company and Fun More than the Food

Oftentimes, you can have a great time at a party with less food.

In fact, if you eat ahead of time and then just find a few keto options there, you are freed up to talk to friends, play games, and enjoy festivities without being tied down to a plate.

Step #7: Grace

If your best intentions get derailed, give yourself grace. Get right back on track the next day or meal.

Generally, it’s not the occasional summer party that causes the most trouble for Keto Zone eaters. It’s the continual overeating or allowing over-eating to linger days after a party.

Don’t let it happen to you. Nip it in the bud and get right back on track.

A great tool? Try this Anti-Bloat Celery Smoothie and you’ll feel Keto Zone Healthy again in no time.

Bottom Line

Social eating and parties are great experiences in summer. However, for Keto Zone eaters, they may cause anxiety. This summer, stay in the Keto Zone with our step by step tips for restaurant and party social eating.

The post Steps to Stay in the Keto Zone at Summer Dinner Parties appeared first on Keto Zone® | Dr. Don Colbert, MD.