The ketogenic diet (or simply keto diet, for short) is all the rage. With promises to help you lose weight and even stave off diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer’s, it’s no wonder why so many are hopping aboard the keto train. But can you eat your favorite lobster dish while you’re on the keto diet? Read on to learn more:
The ketogenic diet has exploded in popularity over the last few years. This very low-carb, high-fat diet can help you lose weight, improve health, and simply feel better overall. But with carb counts getting slashed, you may be wondering if you have to kiss seafood favorites like lobster goodbye.
The great news is you don’t have to give up enjoying succulent lobster meat just because you’re living the keto lifestyle! Lobster can definitely be part of a ketogenic diet,
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about eating lobster on keto. You’ll learn:
- What the keto diet is
- Why lobster is keto-friendly
- How to add lobster into your keto meal plan
- Delicious keto lobster recipe ideas
So keep that bib on – lobster can stay on the menu while you’re sticking to a low-carb ketogenic diet!
What is the Ketogenic Diet?
The ketogenic or “keto” diet is a very low-carbohydrate high-fat moderate protein diet. It’s designed to put your body in a state of ketosis.
Ketosis means your body switches from primarily burning glucose from carbs to burning fat stores and fatty acids for fuel. This metabolic state has been shown to offer many benefits including:
- Enhanced weight loss
- Reduced appetite
- Improved mental focus and cognition
- Stabilized blood sugar levels
- Increased energy
On the keto diet, carb intake is usually restricted to just 20-50 grams of net carbs per day (that’s total carbs minus fiber since it’s not digested). To maximize benefits, keto macronutrient ratios typically look like:
- 70-80% calories from fat
- 15-20% calories from protein
- 5-10% calories from carbs
Following these keto diet guidelines helps transition your body into fat-burning ketosis.
So what can you eat on keto? Foods encouraged include:
- Meat, poultry and seafood
- Eggs
- Full-fat dairy products
- Nuts, seeds and healthy oils
- Non-starchy vegetables
- Limited berries and fruits
Meanwhile, foods restricted on keto are:
- Grains like bread, pasta, rice and cereal
- Starchy vegetables like potatoes
- Legumes like beans and lentils
- Sugary foods like fruit juice, soda, candy and ice cream
- Most fruits except for berries in small portions
Now that you understand the basics of the ketogenic diet, let’s talk about how decadent, delicious lobster fits into the equation!
Why Is Lobster Keto-Friendly?
Lobster is an amazing fit for a well-formulated ketogenic diet for several reasons:
Lobster is Very Low in Carbs
The biggest factor that determines whether a food is keto-approved or not is the carb content. Lobster is an almost zero carb food!
A 100 gram serving of lobster contains less than 1 gram of carbs. This makes it easy to keep net carbs under 50 grams even when enjoying lobster.
Lobster Provides High-Quality Protein
While keto is a high-fat diet, you still need adequate protein for preservation of muscle mass, cellular repair, and other vital functions.
Lobster delivers over 20 grams of protein per 100 gram serving. Plus, it contains all the essential amino acids your body requires from protein foods.
Lobster is Packed with Vital Nutrients
In addition to being low-carb and high in protein, lobster provides a variety of beneficial vitamins and minerals:
- Vitamin B12 – Necessary for neurological health. Lobster is one of the best food sources.
- Vitamin B6 – Crucial for immune function and energy production.
- Selenium – Has antioxidant properties and supports thyroid health.
- Zinc – Bolsters immune system function and DNA synthesis.
- Phosphorus – Assists with calcium absorption for bone health.
Lobster Contains Heart-Healthy Fats
While low in total fat, the fats that lobster does contain are anti-inflammatory omega-3s. Omega-3 fatty acids promote heart health, brain function, and overall wellness.
Lobster Makes Keto Eating More Enjoyable
One obstacle some people face with sticking to the keto diet long-term is that they get bored eating the same high-fat foods like meat, eggs and cheese over and over.
Being able to build meals around luxurious, succulent lobster meat provides a nice change of pace from typical keto fare. It helps make the diet more sustainable and enjoyable.
As you can see, lobster checks all the boxes for suitability in a ketogenic diet plan. Now let’s look at some tips for practical ways to enjoy keto-friendly lobster.
Tips for Eating Lobster on the Keto Diet
Here are some great tips to keep in mind for making lobster work for your keto goals:
- Choose wild-caught lobster – It’s lower in carbs and higher in nutrients than farmed.
- Watch add-ons – Avoid high-carb ingredients like rice, biscuits or heavy sauces on the side.
- Pick healthy cooking methods – Opt for lower carb preparations like steaming, grilling, baking or roasting.
- Don’t discard the tamale – The green liver is super nutritious, as is the tomalley.
- Pair with extra fat – Balance out the leanness by serving lobster with butter, olive oil, avocado etc.
- Count carbs accurately – Confirm nutrition data since preparation techniques impact carbs.
- Limit to 1 serving per meal – Stick to 4-6 ounces of lobster meat max per person.
- Stay under 20g net carbs/day – Include lobster as part of your whole day keto plan.
Follow these lobster tips and you can confidently enjoy luscious lobster any time cravings strike, without sabotaging ketosis!
Keto Lobster Recipe Ideas
Let’s explore some appetizing ways to prepare lobster so it fits into your keto meal plan:
1. Baked Lobster Tails
Buttery baked lobster tails are a simple yet elegant keto meal. Serve with melted butter and a side salad or low-carb veggies.
2. Cheesy Baked Lobster Dip
Mix chopped lobster with cream cheese, shredded cheddar, bacon and spices. Bake until bubbly then dig in with keto crackers or veggies.
3. Lobster Stuffed Avocado
Halve an avocado and fill with chunks of lobster tossed in keto mayo. Garnish with crumbled bacon if desired.
4. Lobster Cauliflower Risotto
No rice required! Simply use riced cauliflower instead to soak up the rich, creamy broth studded with lobster.
5. Lobster Spinach Salad
Toss nutritious spinach with chopped lobster meat, egg, avocado and a keto dressing like blue cheese or ranch.
6. Keto Lobster Rolls
Skip the bun and serve succulent lobster salad wrapped in lettuce leaves or stuffed into cucumber slices.
7. Cheesy Lobster Casserole
Buttery lobster meat baked with heavy cream, cheese and seasonings until irresistibly hot and bubbly.
8. Cioppino
This classic seafood stew bursting with lobster, shrimp, fish and clams in a tomato broth is a delicious one-pot keto meal.
9. Lobster Fried Cauliflower Rice
No takeout needed! Make this flavorful stir fry with riced cauliflower instead of rice and pile it high with lobster.
10. Lobster Chowder
Thicken your creamy chowder with cauliflower instead of potatoes or flour. It lets the sweet lobster flavor shine through.
With so many tasty ways to prepare it, you can enjoy succulent lobster any night of the week and stay in ketosis!
Where to Buy Lobster for Keto
When selecting lobster to enjoy on your ketogenic diet, quality matters. The best bet is choosing fresh live lobster or fresh frozen lobster meat.
Ordering premium lobster online from a reputable source like Maine Lobster Now is a convenient way to get incredibly fresh, sustainable wild-caught lobster delivered right to your door.
Their live lobsters are shipped overnight from the cold Atlantic waters of Maine. Or you can order frozen lobster meat, tails and claws that capture the just-caught taste.
The Takeaway – Lobster Fits on Keto
Thanks to its stellar nutrition stats – zero carbs, ample protein and healthy fats – lobster is one of the most keto-friendly seafood options out there.
Adding delicious lobster dishes into your low-carb meal plan helps provide variety so you don’t get bored. It takes keto dining from monotonous to mouthwatering.
Next time lobster cravings strike, don’t deny yourself. Go ahead and indulge, knowing you can enjoy every tender, succulent bite while maintaining ketosis. Lobster lovers rejoice – this regal crustacean fits beautifully into a well-formulated keto diet.
What is the keto diet?
The keto diet is very similar to the Atkins Diet—it’s low in carbs and high in healthy fat. By replacing carbs with fat, your body is put into a metabolic state called ketosis. In this state, your body becomes extremely efficient at burning fat for energy. This helps people lose weight, but it can also help people lower their blood sugar and insulin levels.
Eat More Shellfish On Keto (Ketogenic Diet) – Dr.Berg
FAQ
Can you eat lobster on a keto diet?
Is lobster keto-friendly? Seafood is generally keto-friendly, and lobster is not an exception. It is high in protein like meat but contains other nutrients that improve cardiovascular health, mental health, and more.
Is lobster high in carbs?
- Lobster contains virtually no carbohydrates, fiber, or sugar.
- A serving of cooked lobster (about 3 ounces) contains 0 grams of total carbohydrates.
- Lobster is primarily composed of protein, making it a great source of lean protein.
What is the best seafood for keto?
But others, especially salmon, mackerel, tuna, oysters, and sardines, contain tons of heart-healthy unsaturated fats like omega-3s—and none of the saturated …
Are crab and lobster low-carb?
Are you sure? I looked it up in several places and real crab and lobster are zero carb essentially.
Is lobster keto friendly?
YES! Lobster is very keto-friendly. In fact, the majority of fish and seafood can be eaten while on the keto diet. This is because seafood such as lobster are low in carbs—the exact type of food you want to be eating a low-carb diet. Additionally, many of the foods you pair with lobsters are also keto-friendly.
Is lobster high in low-density lipoprotein (LDL)?
Lobster is low in saturated fatty acids and rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are good for the heart and help lower cholesterol.
Is lobster bisque keto friendly?
However, because it contains some ingredients which are not Trim Healthy Mama friendly, I determined to create my own homemade version that is on plan (and that also happens to be keto friendly and gluten free). The resulting low carb lobster bisque is smooth, creamy, a bit salty, and riddled with buttery sweet chunks of lobster!
Are Red Lobster biscuits keto?
The biscuits come out tender and soft. They are cheesy and garlicky and brushed with garlic butter. The garlic butter topping is key to making them taste like Red Lobster’s version. You can find all my keto recipes here. You can find my original low carb keto biscuit recipe here.
How do you make keto lobster tails?
Here’s a quick and easy appetizer recipe for keto lobster tails. Preheat your Dutch oven or grill on medium heat. Slice the top of the shell of the lobster tails lengthwise and rinse the meat under cold water. Combine the melted butter, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Brush the lobster meat with the butter mixture.