An average of 44 million Americans go on a diet every year, and a recent analysis of the most popular diet trends based on global Google searches revealed that the ketogenic diet, or keto diet for short, was found to be the most popular diet trend both in the United States and Worldwide. With popularity has come many different variations of this well-known and well-loved diet; including a keto diet for athletes, a “lazy” keto diet, and a lower-fat keto diet, just to name a few. The standard keto diet, however, does not align with society’s growing emphasis on sustainability that has led to an increase in plant-based eating. Animal-derived products, which lie at the forefront of foods consumed on a classic keto diet, result in hefty greenhouse gas emissions. According to a study by IBM, nearly 6 in 10 consumers surveyed are willing to change their shopping habits to reduce environmental impact. Additionally, the plant-based food market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.9% through 2027. With these trends on the rise, a new version of keto has been added to the list of the diet’s variations: the eco keto diet. This new take on an old favorite diet makes it possible for plant-based eaters and sustainably conscious consumers to reap the benefits associated with keto.
What is the Keto Diet?
Once used as a popular therapy for Epilepsy in the 1920’s and 30’s, the keto diet is now a well-known weight loss method practiced by many around the world. On a classic keto diet, you consume a high amount of fat and a low amount of carbs, with typical diet proportions consisting of 70% fat, 20% protein, and 10% carbs. The reduction of carbohydrates limits your body’s supply of glucose, the main source of energy for the cells, and puts your body into a metabolic state called ketosis, in which your body uses fat for fuel instead of using carbs. Usually, those following a classic keto diet consume substantial amounts of animal-derived products, as foods such as meat, poultry, seafood, and cheese are high in fat and low in carbs. Following a keto diet may result in several health benefits such as weight loss, reduced blood sugar and insulin levels, and lowered blood pressure.
What is the Eco Keto Diet?
The eco keto diet is the same as the classic keto diet, however, it does not include the consumption of animal-derived foods. This allows you to reap the potential health benefits associated with keeping your body in ketosis while maintaining a plant-based diet. This fresh take on a traditionally meat-heavy diet makes keto accessible to the increasing number of consumers who consider environmental impact as a factor in their purchasing decisions. According to this 2019 study, avoiding meat and dairy products is the single largest way to reduce your environmental impact on the planet, as animal agriculture is responsible for at least 87% of greenhouse gas emissions. Avoiding meat and dairy products also could reduce farmland by 75%!
What Can You Eat on an Eco Keto Diet?
Although those on a standard keto diet typically consume a lot of meat and dairy, it is possible to eat the proper proportions of fat, protein, and carbs to keep your body in ketosis while avoiding animal-derived products. One plant-based, nutrient rich food that is low in sugar and contains healthy fats is coconut. Coconut contains medium-chain triglycerides, or MCT’s, which are fats that are metabolized faster than long-chain fatty acids and are associated with health benefits. Cooking with coconut oil and substituting coconut milk and coconut cream for dairy milk and cream are great ways to increase your intake of healthy fats on an eco keto diet. Covico offers both coconut milk/cream powder and coconut milk/cream liquid; perfect additions to products that you want to work for any variation of a keto diet. Another high in fat plant-based option is acai. Like coconut, this superfruit is high in fat but low in sugar, making it suitable for an eco keto diet. Extremely rich in antioxidants, we love these berries so much that we’ve given them a spotlight of their own. Acai bowls and smoothies are perfect meal or snack options to enjoy on an eco keto diet. Amavico offers acai powder and liquid acai, both perfect additions to keto-friendly formulations. Additionally, other plant-based foods with high fat and low sugar contents include nuts and seeds, non-starchy vegetables, avocados, and plant-based sources of protein such as tofu and tempeh.
In summary, the eco keto diet is a great option for plant-based eaters and sustainably conscious consumers looking to reap the benefits of keto without compromising their lifestyle. Looking for keto-friendly ingredients? Check out our Covico Coconut Ingredients and our Amavico Amazonian Fruit Products; we may have just what you need! To learn more about our products or to request a sample of any of our ingredients, get in touch with us, and a sales representative will be in touch shortly.