How I enjoy BLTs on the Keto diet and other game changers

I don’t know what I was thinking when I decided to start the Keto diet. I wasn’t looking for a major weight loss transformation, just a way to manage that slow, creeping weight gain. Truth be told, I even chickened out a few times before starting! The internet is scary. Well, it scared me with tales of “hangry” side effects when cutting carbohydrates. I changed my start dates a few times to avoid emotional events like graduation and other end-of-the-school-year events. I didn’t want to turn from a well adjusted adult into a carb-deprived toddler with no emotion control. Let’s face it, “hangry” is a real thing for a reason.

Looking back, I am so glad I started the Keto diet. I’ve been on it for over five months. I love it. It took a few days to enter ketosis and then a few weeks to stop craving my favorite foods. Along the way I discovered a few foods that help make the low carb diet a lifestyle change. Keep reading for the top things, like how I enjoy a BLT, that make the Keto diet sustainable for longer than I had planned for.

Five Months of Low-Carb Living: My Three Game Changers

I’m now five months into low-carb eating and ten months into what I call being a “Keto chef.” Here are Keto diet game changers that have helped make this diet a sustainable lifestyle for me and my family:

1. Low-Carb Bread

Discovering low-carb bread was a game changer! A hamburger without the bun is only tolerable for so long. Especially for someone like me, whose biggest craving while pregnant was soft, warm pretzels—I even started making them at home! So, a diet without bread is a short term situation. Cue the discovery of low-carb bread.

Finding Keto-friendly bread and buns opened up so many options: summer cookouts, thick BLT sandwiches, garlic bread with Italian dishes, and even grilled cheese. All my classic comfort foods became possible again.

Check your grocery store for your Keto bread options. I use Aunt Millie’s Live Carb Smart® bread, which offers white, wheat, multi-grain breads, plus hotdog and hamburger buns. Each slice or bun is 2-3 net carbs. (I’ve even used these for croutons or as breadcrumbs in meatloaf!)

2. Pizza Bowls

Pizza was the hardest thing to let go of when starting the Keto diet. Only the ultra-health-conscious give up pizza! It wasn’t just the pizza I was lamenting, but also the family rituals around it. No more handmade pizza nights.

Then, we discovered pizza bowls. My husband found them while traveling for work; a favorite Chicago pizzeria called it “crustless pizza,” but we’ve seen it more frequently called a “pizza bowl.” Two of our local pizzerias serve them. We have even brought back our handmade pizza nights, pizza bowls included. Pizza isn’t as frequent as it used to be, but it’s no longer a forbidden fruit—probably healthier for all of us.

3. Fruit: A Surprising Low-Carb Snack

When I first started Keto, I thought fruit was entirely off-limits. It took multiple checks and rechecks of nutritional facts before I could believe that certain fruits could actually fit into a low-carb lifestyle. Raspberries, strawberries, and even cantaloupe became welcome additions to my meal plan—and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Fruits can add a refreshing dessert, especially when paired with homemade whipped cream (just whip heavy cream with a little vanilla extract and optional sweetener). This combination not only feels indulgent but also helps curb sugar cravings, especially after a few weeks of no or very low sugar intake.

If you’re wondering which fruits are Keto-friendly, here’s a helpful scale of low-carb fruits:

• Best Choices (6-8g net carbs per 100g): Raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and watermelon

• Good Choices (7-8g net carbs per 100g): Cantaloupe, honeydew, and peaches

• Moderate Choices (9-12g net carbs per 100g): Pineapple, Blueberries, cherries, and plums

Keep in mind that portion size matters, even with low-carb fruits. While these options are a great way to enjoy natural sweetness, it’s important to measure them out to stay within your daily carb limits. For me, having a small handful of berries for dessert has made this lifestyle feel less restrictive and more enjoyable.

If you’ve been hesitant to try fruit on Keto, give it a shot! It might just become your next game-changing snack.

Time and Routine

Ten months into low-carb cooking, planning, grocery shopping, and meal prep have become second nature. At first, everything felt overwhelming—reading nutrition labels, researching recipes, and figuring out substitutions for high-carb staples. But over time, these tasks became easier and even enjoyable. Now, I have a solid understanding of the best low-carb vegetables (zucchini, cauliflower, and leafy greens are my go-to options), which sauces are worth buying pre-made (like certain sugar-free barbecue sauces), and which are better made from scratch (like marinara sauce). This knowledge didn’t come overnight—it was built gradually with trial and error, learning from mistakes, and celebrating small wins like finding a new recipe.

Just like with any new skill, practice has made all the difference. It’s easy to dismiss “routine” as a generic tip, but the truth is that familiarity breeds ease. The more time I spent experimenting with meals and navigating grocery aisles, the less daunting it became. What once felt like a chore—prepping meals ahead of time, calculating carbs, or packing snacks—has become a habit, freeing up mental space for other things.

Keeping meals interesting has been key to sustaining this lifestyle. Just as I did before Keto, I mix up our regular recipes whenever we start feeling bored. A new seasoning, a twist on a classic dish, or even experimenting with cultural flavors can reignite excitement in the kitchen.

Ultimately, turning Keto into a lifestyle rather than a “diet” has been about building familiarity and confidence over time. The more you practice, the more intuitive it becomes. Now, I don’t feel restricted—I feel empowered by the knowledge and habits I’ve developed along the way.

Why Stick with a Low-Carb Diet?

The Health Benefits Are Worth It

If you’re wondering whether I’ll stay on this low-carb “thing,” the answer is a resounding yes. I feel great—better than I have in years! My joints and body don’t ache when I get out of bed, and while I’ll still feel the effects of a Saturday gardening session, my everyday aches and pains are gone. I’m not sure if it’s the lack of carbs or the 20 pounds I lost, but it’s worth every carb I’ve given up.

While I started out counting every carb religiously, I’ve transitioned into a more relaxed low-carb approach. This might seem like a step back, but it’s actually a sign of progress. Because I’ve become so familiar with this way of eating, I no longer have the need to track carbs obsessively. I know my body, its limits, and the meals that keep me on track. As a result, I rarely experience hunger cravings, and as long as I stick to a regular meal schedule, I feel completely satisfied.

Long-term, I plan to continue giving up sugar and high-glycemic foods, but incorporating multi grains and legumes back into my diet. I miss those foods. Surprisingly, I don’t miss cookies much, which would surprise anyone who knows my sweet tooth.

A Final Note: Listen to Your Body

I should add that I’m not a doctor, and a long-term low-carb diet may not be the right choice for everyone. I’m working to make sure my diet stays balanced. This is why I plan to cut out sugar and eventually add back in some healthy grains and legumes. But that’s a story for another day. For now, I’m enjoying the Keto lifestyle, and with Thanksgiving and Christmas approaching, I’m not worried—I have my low-carb treats!

I’ve shared my game changers that helped turn Keto from a daunting diet into a sustainable lifestyle, but I know everyone’s journey is different. What about you? If you’ve embraced a low-carb or Keto lifestyle, what have been your biggest breakthroughs? Have you found a particular recipe, tip, or product that made all the difference? I’d love to hear how you’ve tackled the challenges of staying consistent and what’s worked best for you. Let’s share ideas and inspire each other to keep this lifestyle enjoyable and sustainable in the long run!