The keto diet and tomatoes may seem like a strange combination, but there are ways to incorporate tomatoes into your daily diet. You can eat a variety of different tomato-based foods, including tomato soups, stuffed and baked tomatoes, and tomato-based products such as sauces and dips.
Stuffed and baked tomatoes
Stuffed and baked tomatoes are a perfect low carb option for a lunch or a dinner. They are easy to make and come together quickly. You can serve them hot or at room temperature. The fillings are made from cheese and bread, so they are a great meal for a low carb diet.
If you’re making these for a meal, they are best served warm. When they’re served at room temperature, they will get a little watery. However, they’re delicious right out of the oven. This recipe is also a good way to use up leftovers.
To start, you’ll need to hollow out the tomatoes. Cut a 1/4-inch slice off the top of the tomato, and then cut around the inside of the tomato. Remove the seeds and sour cream or salt and pepper.
Fill the tomatoes with whatever fillings you prefer. Cheese, spinach, garlic, and rice are all excellent choices. Other fillings include cooked sausage, panko breadcrumbs, and even ground beef.
You can use either a small or medium-sized tomato. Choose a firmer style with fleshy walls. If you are using a large tomato, you may need to cut it in half to fit the filling.
Before baking, lightly brush the bottom of the tomato with olive oil. Place the stuffed tomato in a 9-inch pie plate. Bake for 20 minutes. Check for a golden brown color.
The filling can be kept in the refrigerator or at room temperature for up to two days.
Soups
Soups with tomato and keto can be a delicious way to enjoy the benefits of a low carb lifestyle. However, not all soups are created equally. Before you try one, consider the type of ingredients you are using and how you will cook them.
First, decide if you are going to make a liquid or thicker version. The liquid variation will allow you to have more servings. If you choose the latter, be sure to blend all the ingredients until smooth.
Next, consider adding spices and herbs. They can add an alluring aroma to your meal. You can also try using red curry paste for a tangy kick.
One of the best ways to prepare a tomato soup is by making it yourself. You can start by chopping onions and garlic. Once they are all chopped up, place them on a baking dish. Drizzle olive oil over them. Bake them for 25 minutes.
You can also use a high speed blender to get the job done. Then you can mix in arrowroot powder to thicken the soup.
If you are feeling fancy, you can even add some heavy cream to the mix. This will add a nice creaminess and also increase the fat content.
Other optional ingredients to consider are fresh basil and red pepper flakes. You can also add a dash of cayenne.
Tomato soup isn’t as hard to make as you think. It can be made with a blender or food processor. To enhance the taste, you can use chicken broth, olive oil, and seasonings. Adding a splash of sour cream will also help.
Sundried tomatoes
Sundried tomatoes are a great way to add a punch of flavor to your dish without adding too much carbs. However, you may not be using them to their full potential. There are a few ways to get the most of your sun dried tomatoes.
The best way to go about this is to purchase a bag of dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes. This is a good alternative to grabbing a canned version of the same item. These also happen to be less expensive.
You can also opt for the rehydrated kind. These are simple to prepare. Simply soak them in a pot of boiling water for 5 minutes. Once the water is absorbed, store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. They are a great way to make salad dressings, dips, or other tomato-based dishes.
One of the best uses for your leftover sundried tomatoes is to mix them into a creamy sauce. This works particularly well with pork chops or grilled chicken breast. In addition to the aforementioned ingredients, you can add some diced potatoes, bacon, or sausage for a complete meal.
While it’s not a secret that sun-dried tomatoes are not keto friendly, the good news is that you can still enjoy their tangy goodness without sacrificing your carb count. Just be sure to choose a quality brand, or you’ll be paying for it in the form of an upset stomach.
Tomato-based products
Tomato-based products can be a great way to add flavor to meals. They are low in calories and rich in vitamins and antioxidants. But if you are on a keto diet, you need to be careful about the ingredients you use. Many store-bought sauces and salsas contain added sugars that you should avoid.
Tomatoes can be cooked or eaten raw. Cooked tomatoes are a solid source of beta carotene, lutein and lycopene. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that slows the aging process and may reduce the risk of cancer. And lutein, a vitamin A-compound, protects the eyes from cataracts.
Tomatoes also have a high fiber content. Fiber is important for digestive health, helping to keep constipation at bay.
If you are following a keto diet, you can find several tomato-based recipes that you can make at home. Sauces like ranch and bleu cheese dressing can help you to enjoy a variety of tomato-based meals without affecting your overall carb count.
Tomatoes are a good source of lycopene, a phytochemical that gives them a red color. It has been linked to lowering ‘bad’ cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease, and preventing strokes.
The lycopene in tomatoes is also thought to help fight inflammation. Chronic inflammation has been associated with a host of serious illnesses.
While a few tomato-based products may be suitable for a keto diet, most of them have added sugars. Make sure you check the labels to determine the total amount of carbs in each serving.
Kale beats tomatoes and spinach on a low-carb diet
One of the most popular leafy greens is kale. It’s high in vitamins and antioxidants. Kale is also low in calories and fat. Plus, it has a nutty, earthy flavor. You can add it to your salads and other meals for a boost of nutrition.
The nutritional benefits of kale include antioxidants, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium and potassium. What’s more, it’s a good source of vitamin A, beta-carotene and folate. These nutrients have been shown to help protect against diseases such as cancer and osteoporosis.
Another nutritional tidbit is that kale is low in carbohydrates. For example, a cup of cooked kale has just 4 grams of carbohydrates. That’s about half of what you get from a serving of spinach.
This green is also a good source of betaine, a phytonutrient that has been shown to help your body process insulin and regulate blood sugar. In fact, it’s one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet.
Another nifty tidbit about kale is that it’s a great source of the antioxidant beta-carotene. Beta-carotene has been shown to have a number of medical benefits, including improving asthma and preventing lung disease. Likewise, beta-carotene can be converted into vitamin A, which is useful in asthma treatment.
Other notable features include the fact that kale is also a good source of calcium and iron. And it’s even got hypolipidemic properties.
Adding a variety of colorful, flavorful vegetables to your diet is a good way to improve your health. To get the best value out of your food, try to eat fresh produce, cook it properly, and use the right cooking methods.
Avocados
If you want a low carb salad that’s healthy and tasty, try avocados and tomato. Both are rich in dietary fiber and monounsaturated fat. They also are high in antioxidants. And you don’t have to go out and buy a lot of expensive ingredients. You can make your own guacamole with just a few staples.
Avocados are naturally low in carbs. That’s why they’re great for a ketogenic diet. But even if you’re not on a keto diet, it’s still a smart move to eat avocados. They’re packed with healthy fats, minerals and vitamins.
One of the easiest ways to enjoy an avocado is by making a quick avocado tomato salad. It’s a perfect side dish or an easy lunch. Plus, it’s a delicious and nutritious mix of tangy tomatoes and creamy avocado.
To make the avocado tomato salad, you’ll need avocados and tomatoes, as well as olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sea salt and red pepper flakes. Add some extra virgin olive oil to really dress up the salad.
You can serve this avocado tomato salad with some low carb chips or make a tasty dip out of it. If you want, you can also add grilled chicken. Chicken is lean and a healthy way to get protein.
Avocados are best when eaten fresh. However, you can store them in the fridge for a few days. The key is to keep them in a paper bag so they’ll ripen faster.
