Thanks to its emphasis on carb-free living, the increasingly popular keto diet continues to dominate nutrition blogs, fitness magazines and other wellness platforms. While this diet has proven that it is possible to forego carbohydrates and still feel satisfied (don’t worry pasta, we still love you), its pivot towards high-fat foods can make it seem like a counter-intuitive choice for those people looking to lose weight.
Those adopting the keto diet in order to shed pounds need to be particularly conscious of what goes into their meals, ensuring that the overall caloric intake is adequately reduced. Even if you’re not necessarily going keto to lose weight, it’s important to stay cognizant of caloric intake since fat, including healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated varieties, contains more calories per gram than any other macronutrient.
Embarking on making all meals high-fat, low-carb and relatively low-calorie might seem like a lot of cooking limitations to consider, but keto meals certainly don’t have to be difficult. The list of keto-friendly ingredients is surprisingly comprehensive and diverse, lending to loads of tasty, filling dishes.
Pan-Seared Tilapia with Homemade Tartar Sauce
Tangy tartar sauce is just the thing to take your Tilapia dish to the next level. With all of the elements of a classic fish dinner, this Old Bay seasoning–infused recipe emphasizes fresh, strong flavors. Repurpose any remaining leftover tartar sauce as a dip for vegetables or hard boiled eggs.
Calories per serving: 208.
Try the recipe: Pan-Seared Tilapia with Homemade Tartar Sauce from Low Carb Sisters.
Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
You won’t believe how satisfied you’ll feel after loading up on this parmesan crusted Tilapia. What’s more, this simple to prepare dish takes no more than 30 minutes to cook, meaning this recipe is the perfect option for those busy days where cooking dinner is the last thing you want to do when you get home. Add a side of steamed veggies to round out the dish, with low-carb options including broccoli, cauliflower and asparagus.
Calories per serving: 294.
Try the recipe: Parmesan Crusted Tilapia from KitchMe.
Tilapia Salad with Spinach and Creamy Avocado Dressing
Brimming with colorful veggies, this Tilapia salad is as gorgeous as it is healthy. Most recipe items are ingredients you likely already have on-hand, like onion powder, lemons, butter and cherry tomatoes. The Tilapia component can be served hot or at room temperature, so feel free to eat the salad right away or save it for tomorrow’s lunch.
Calories per serving: 348.
Try the recipe: Tilapia Salad with Spinach and Creamy Avocado Dressing from Low Carb Yum.
Lemon Tilapia
Tangy with just the right amount of creaminess, these lemon Tilapia fillets are a quick and easy treat to whip up on a busy week night. Making use of both the lemon juice and zest, this dish has quite the refreshing bite, while the dill and cream cheese balance the flavors perfectly. Serve with a light quinoa salad, cauliflower rice or some steamed vegetables to ensure a satiating and delicious meal that is also very low in calories.
Calories per serving: 252.
Try the recipe: Skinny Lemon Tilapia from Pop Culture.
Although it’s completely achievable, making all meals low-carb, low-calorie and high-fat requires ample planning and preparation. Keep your kitchen continuously stocked with keto-friendly food staples and your favorite keto recipes bookmarked. Whether you’re beginning your keto journey or you’re in need of a little inspiration to keep things interesting, it’s critical you have an arsenal of recipes on-hand to ensure all of your meals are balanced, nutritious and incredibly tasty.
For more keto recipe options, visit these keto-friendly meal prep ideas.
Eager to try these recipes at home? Consult our store locator to find your nearest Tilapia retailer.
Photo Credits: Jacek Chabraszewski / Shutterstock Inc, Low Carb Sisters, Miranda’s Kitchen Adventures, Tried & True, PopCulture