BACK ON TRACK WITH KETO KRISP Part 3: No-Counting Keto (But Let’s Not Call It Lazy)

Whether you’re new to the keto lifestyle or getting back into ketosis after a break, you’re likely in the process of acquainting (or reacquainting) yourself with the rules of the keto diet. And, while keto success guidelines are relatively simple—VERY limited carbs and sugar, lots of protein and healthy fats—they are pretty strict. After all, the keto lifestyle will only deliver dramatic weight loss results if you get into ketosis: the process by which your body learns to burn fat, instead of its natural go-to, carbs, for fuel. And the results can be VERY dramatic!

As with any lifestyle shift, though, keto success can either be a science or an art. You may already know where you fall on this spectrum, but if you’re new to keto and not sure, give this little chart a look. And do keep in mind that nothing here is an absolute—these are just two different mindsets for approaching one’s goals, and it’s good to know where you stand.

 

THE SCIENCE OF KETO	THE ART OF KETO
Rapid Results	Slow + Steady Results
Counting Macros	Visual Portions
Optimizing Performance	Getting Healthier
Changing Body Composition	Feeling Better in Clothes
Competitive Mindset	Continuous Improvement
Weekly Meal Preparation	Keto-Friendly Staples
Challenge Oriented	Easily Overwhelmed
Cheats? NEVER!	Treats? ALWAYS!

 
Now that you’ve got this chart under your belt, it should be fairly obvious which camp you fall into. While everyone’s unique, certain personality types tend to experience greater keto success when they approach this important lifestyle shift in a way that really suits them. You left-column folks are probably meal-prepping your macro-compliant nom-noms as we speak—so, right-column keto artists, let’s talk about YOU for a minute! 

 

So...is “lazy keto” really a thing? A thing that actually works?

 

The short answer is “yes,” although your friends here at Keto Krisp prefer not to call it “lazy keto.” That feels like a judgment, and judgment is NOT our jam! Nobody who’s actively working to better themself—through diet, exercise, education or anything else—is lazy! We prefer to call it “no-counting keto,” because once you establish some very simple guidelines around your daily food intake, your version of the keto lifestyle doesn’t have to be so intense.

How does no-counting keto work?

 

So let’s break it down. As our keto scientists above know, the stricter version of the keto lifestyle involves meticulous counting of macronutrients (macros for short). Getting into ketosis involves getting roughly 5% of your daily calories from carbs, 75%–90% from fat, and 5–20% from protein. For competitive athletes and challenge-oriented types, counting macros can be a fun puzzle to work day after day—but for busy regular folks and anyone who’s experienced disordered eating, all that counting can start to veer into OCD-land.

With no-counting keto, by contrast, there’s really only one rule: no more than 20 grams of carbs per day. So once you figure out what that LOOKS like (we like this visual guide by the Diet Doctor), all you have to do is stay within those limits! The same visual guide has some good suggestions for healthy ways to fill the rest of your plate, as well. And of course, you’ll need to do some basic research about hidden carbs in foods you might not expect to have them—including fruits, many vegetables and even dairy.

 

What about protein and fat? Do I need to count those?

 

With no-counting keto, you really don’t! It’s really pretty easy, which is why it’s sometimes called lazy keto. The only other thing it’s critical to remember is that while keto often gets praised for its reliance on decadent foods like cheese and bacon—really, what’s not to love—keto is NOT a high-protein diet. In fact, consuming too much protein can actually kick you out of ketosis by triggering gluconegenesis. This is what happens when your body starts making glucose, which means it stops burning fat for energy. No bueno for keto, friends.

So, while our “keto artist” friends probably don’t want to start counting macros for protein and fat, it’s definitely a good idea to do a little research up front to see what acceptable protein and fat levels look like, visually, for keto success. Visual guides are the artist’s friend!

 

Keto success tip: Always keep keto-friendly snacks on hand.

Sure, you’ll have to bid farewell to naughty-naughties like chips and cookies. But there are actually PLENTY of super-satisyfing things you can snack on without jacking up your ketosis clock! Cheese crisps. Olives. Jerky. Nuts and seeds. Hard-boiled eggs. Peanut butter. Sugar-free chocolate. And Keto Krisp! This healthy, keto-friendly snack quickly satisfies carb and sugar cravings without sending you into a backslide. Made with premium nut butters, MCT oil, whey protein isolate krisps and other wholesome ingredients, our keto-friendly protein bars have next-to-no net carbs and with the perfect balance of healthy protein.

 

So, keto artists...are you ready to paint your keto lifestyle masterpiece? Let’s go out there and make something beautiful together.