My Top 5 Most Important Grocery Items for Low-Carb Success

Low-carb and keto diets are all the rage right now. While I can get on board with eating less carbs and more veggies, I don't necessarily adhere to any specific diet. My motto is "it's all about balance." Meaning, I can have a piece of chocolate cake, as long as I have had plenty of fresh veggies and protein during the day. I also lead a pretty active lifestyle and try to do 30-40 minutes of exercise, even light exercise, daily.

I am a grazer - I love to snack and munch throughout the day. For me to be successful and not overindulge, I have to "arm" myself with a pantry and fridge full of readily available, convenient snacks. When I get a craving, I need to have something I can easily grab and snack on.

On the flipside of this strategy, I try not keep sweets or junk food in my home. If it is there, it will get consumed, probably in large quantities and quickly.

My husband adheres to the keto diet. In order to keep our weekly menu from getting boring, I'm often searching out and experimenting with new recipes as well as easy snack ideas. After many months, I have come up with a list of items that I recommend to keep on hand at all times to set you up for success in your low-carb endeavors.

I am not a health expert or dietitian - these are items I enjoy and have found helpful in staying on the low-carb bandwagon.

1. Almond Flour

This is a low-carb staple. I use almond flour to make pizza crust, low-carb blueberry muffins, crispy fried salmon cakes, and many more items. The Blue Diamond Almond Flour offers large quantities at a reasonable price. I keep a large bag on hand because I use it for so many different low-carb recipes.

2. Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are an easy and delicious low-carb snack. They are protein-packed and yummy on their own, mixed in greek yogurt, or as a topping for salads.

3. Stevia

This next item is great if you are following a low-carb or keto diet, but also benefits those who are trying to limit their sugar intake. Sweets are my weakness. I fully admit that I am addicted to sugar (although I am working on it). Stevia tastes igreat in all of my low-carb muffin and pancake recipes. While it doesn't taste like sugar, I find the flavor much smoother than some of the other artificial sweeteners out there. Stevia is also made from the stevia leaf and isn't chemically produced like some other products.

4. Lily's Chocolate

I mention that I have a thing for sweets and I also like to snack. Keeping some Lily's Chocolate bars on hand allows me to have a few bites of chocolate without the sugar. Lily's is sweetened with stevia and doesn't cause me any tummy distress like some other sugar free treats that I've tried. They come in many flavors and taste like the real thing.

5. Eggs

We eat so many eggs in our household. They are a staple for low-carb eating. You can eat hard-boiled eggs for a low-carb snack, make a hearty "breakfast-for-dinner", or use them for low-carb baking. They are a good source of protein that help keep you full longer.

**Bonus Favorite -- 6. Leafy Greens - I'm going to go ahead and add that when eating low-carb, eating plenty of veggies and getting fiber is very important for me. I have found that eating at least one large salad daily with dark leafy greens (kale, spinach, romaine) prevents me from feeling bloated or having any type of tummy distress.

Do you follow a low-carb or keto diet? Do you have some "staple" items you keep on hand to help you stay on track? I'd love to hear your ideas in the comments below.

Moon Valley Living is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.