10 Guilt-Free Keto Cheat Day Ideas
Following through with your keto diet every day is already a big deal. Most people give up before they can even make significant progress, and that’s not because a keto diet is inherently impossible. It’s mainly because people adhere to the extreme version of the diet, which almost makes sure they’re ready to cheat anytime they’re in a room with chocolate. And before they know it, they’ve already had too much—oops! But what if you can plan your keto cheat days in advance and make them light?
You don’t have to hit the gym every single day or bake chicken breasts and steamed broccoli for every meal. Even reputable platforms such as Proper Good say that your diet doesn’t have to be zero carbs for it to be effective.
It’s okay if you just want to enjoy life without the restrictions and eat some delicious foods and snacks once in a while. But if the thought of one ‘cheat meal’ sends you into an emotional downward spiral, then this post is for you. Here are some guilt-free keto diet cheat day ideas:
- Bacon-Wrapped Steak
This is one of the most popular Keto diet cheat day ideas for good reason—who doesn’t love bacon and steak? Be it bought from the store next door or those ordered online via ButcherBox subscription boxes, no one could resist the taste of savory meat. To make this dish, simply wrap a nice cut of steak in plenty of bacon, evenly sprinkle salt and pepper over both sides, and pan-fry in some butter until the bacon is crispy. This tasty pairing will definitely satisfy your palate while conveniently staying within your daily carb limit!
- Mozzarella Sticks
Let’s be real—these are absolutely delicious. One serving can set you back anywhere from 7g to 12g net carbs depending on where you purchase them, but it’s worth it! Just make sure to get a version that isn’t breaded or covered in flour and wrap them with bacon or stuff them with cheese to bring down the carb count. Check out our Homemade Mozzarella Sticks recipe.
- Keto Cheesecake
It’s not too difficult to whip up a cheesecake, but if you’re crunched for time or just want to take a break from cooking, many bakeries now bake these tasty treats for you! Just be sure you check the label before purchasing.
- Low Carb Buffalo Chicken Cracklins Recipe
Another great keto diet cheat day idea that’s not only delicious but also super easy to make. This meal is a simple mixture of chicken skin, shredded chicken and buffalo sauce. We think these Buffalo Chicken Cracklins are such a unique spin on the traditional flavors and are a must try appetizer if you’re trying to stay low carb!
- Spaghetti Squash Boats
Spaghetti squash boats are a great way to ingest copious amounts of spaghetti without actually ruining your daily calorie limit. Simply cut the spaghetti squash lengthwise into halves, scoop out the insides (the seeds can be roasted for a tasty, guilt-free snack), and fill each half with your favorite pasta sauce. Just add some mozzarella cheese into each boat and pop them in the oven for about 20 minutes.
- Eggnog
While it may not be keto friendly straight out of the carton, it’s easy to turn this convenient holiday beverage into an awesome cheat day drink by buying a sugar-free version or making your own keto-friendly version at home. There are plenty of recipes online that will show you how to make your own rich and creamy eggnog with common ingredients like heavy cream, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla extract, stevia, and the list goes on.
- Mozzarella Sticks with Pizza
If you’re not opposed to mozzarella sticks and pizza in the same meal, then you’ll most certainly enjoy this recipe. All you need is a low-carb pizza crust (almond flour is quite popular in the keto community) or keto-friendly tortilla along with some mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce to make your own quick-and-easy deep-dish pizzas. And yes, this includes both pepperoni and sausage—no use in wasting calories there!
- Shrimp Cocktail Dip
Keto diet cheat day ideas don’t have to be limited to savoury dishes—this dip is so good, it’s almost sinful. But what exactly is the secret ingredient that makes this dish taste so incredible? It’s simple: horseradish!
If you’re not familiar with it, horseradish has a very distinct kick that perfectly balances the sweetness of the shrimp and cream cheese. To make this recipe even easier (and remove any unnecessary carbs), purchase some pre-cooked frozen shrimp for the best results.
- Low Carb Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark
This may come as no surprise, but they are really a great idea for your cheat day. You can make these awesome keto diet cheat day snacks using peanut butter powder, adding some sugar-free chocolate chips and a few tablespoons of swerve if you want to get really decadent. This Low Carb Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark hits the spot if you are trying to stay away from sweets or eating Keto.
- Salted Caramel Protein Shake
Now, this seems like such a random snack idea, but this simple shake is incredibly tasty. You’ll need some unsweetened almond milk, heavy whipped cream (or coconut milk), erythritol sweetener, and chocolate protein powder. Then simply blend everything together with ice and a dash of salt.
What’s The Cake?
Your keto diet doesn’t have to be painful. You can let loose and eat some carbs here and there, as long as you’re keeping track of them and sticking to your diet. The trick is also to make sure you stick to the low-calorie version of your favorite foods. Following your keto diet plan with consistency will help you achieve your goal faster.
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