The Complete Ketogenic Diet for Beginners: Your Essential Guide to Living the Keto Lifestyle Paperback – December 20, 2016

After being on AIP diet and still not getting anywhere in regards to health; I decided to jump over to Keto. I've have known that no/low carb is the only way my body ever really feels good, so it was easy. I bought this book with no real expectations. I just wanted a bit more info to read and a some good recipes that I could keep on hand without having to look online. While I knew some info about Keto, this gave me a bit more, and some of the info just "clicked". So far I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is very easy to read. The recipes are delicious too. There isn't any pictures, which I don't mind, but I know many people need or like to have them for reference. The recipes are so easy, using no more than a handful of ingredients, I don't feel like I'm missing out because there are no pics either.My husband and daughter are now even jumping on board. Everyday they both ask excitedly, "What is next on the menu?!"The flavors are so rich, we really don't feel like we are missing out on carbs.First and foremost, I'm using this to rein in my autoimmune, but having it help with weight loss, especially caused by Autoimmune is a huge bonus!! I know anyone who suffers with any type of AI, knows the struggle and each struggle is different. It's like a never ending marathon on trying to figure out how to get better. So far, for me, this has been a great, and easy transition. And yes, I have even lost 3 lbs in my first week. I am a huge water drinker, (living in the desert will do that) so that helped too, as I didn't have to break a sugary drink habit.If I can get past the 15lb weight loss mark, I will be amazed. The first 15 are typically easiest, but I'm hopeful this can kick it up a notch and beat the AutoImmune weight that is always so impossible to beat.The book was in perfect condition, and delivered in a very timely manner. The grocery price might scare you, but don't let it. If need be, only buy for a few days at a time. You will eventually build up your staples.One of the only things that has given me a draw back, was getting used to stevia in my coffee. Nowadays the flavor is better then it used to be, but still it's no sugar. Ha!

I started the Ketogenic diet (more accurately 'way of life' four weeks ago. WOW what a difference. I have lost 19 pounds as of today, and that is while eating ~2000 calories a day. And they are delicious calories.I had been eating a pretty good healthy diet (according to the US gov. nutritional pyramid); lots of veggies, fruit, dairy, grains, and healthier proteins. Didn't seem to help me. So when I started this diet I went a little extreme on the foods I chose, less than ideal foods such as: breakfast of 2-3 slices of thick bacon (I hadn't eaten bacon in maybe 15+ years) with 3-4 eggs ... burgers made with 20-25 % fat (no more super lean 3-7% fat with far less flavor) served on a lettuce 'bun' ... dinner made with a fatty piece of beef, pork, or chicken w/ skin ... vegies mixed in with each meal ... etc. I think you get the idea, I did not have a clue of how to do this correctly.But please note - I still lost 19 pounds in this first 4 weeks. My mind feels clearer & more focused ... I have more energy ... I sleep better ... The swelling in my body with its associated pain has all but disappeared. WT_!So I bought a few Ketogenic Diet e-books on Amazon that explained both this diet and healthier meal choices. Tremendous help! I am now finding a healthier way to follow this diet.The cookbook has so many recipes and new ideas to help me achieve success. There are plenty off other on line sources and references also.

When I decided to start ketogenics I bought a general book plus three cookbooks. This book was the smallest of the three cookbooks but easily the most useful.Ramos includes basic ketogenics information at the front of the book and tips for eating away from home at the end. In between is a lot of helpful information.The book contains a two week menu for beginners. (Face it, there's a 90% chance you won't follow it to the letter, but it does help set your thinking in the right direction.) For each individual week there's a shopping list which, by itself, will help you adjust your kitchen quite a bit. There are tips on the best sweeteners (Swerve over Splenda), the oils you'll need, produce, canned and bottled items, pantry items, and meats. Something to consider as you go along is that some items, like almond and coconut flour are expensive items to stock up on, but you'll use considerably less than non-keto recipes will use for regular flour. Do what you can afford. Just know that there are some must-have staples like coconut oil and olive oil.The recipes themselves are divided into smoothies and breakfasts, appetizers and snacks, fish and poultry, meats, veggies and sides, desserts, and staples. Each individual recipe gives an overall "keto quotient" (how close it fits the idea balance of fats, carbs, and protein) as well as what each serving contains in calories and the fats, carbs, and protein for those servings. This makes life a lot easier if you are using a phone or tablet app to keep an eating record.I find myself in the kitchen a lot more, but that's a good thing, especially since I'm gaining more energy and endurance from the diet. Since I live alone I've also invested in more plastic bags and containers. When I use one of the recipes I divide the finished product into the number of servings, eat one and bag the rest for the freezer or fridge.Recipes include items like homemade salad dressings and mayonnaise in a good keto balance. Since I'm eating a lot more salad this has been handy to have. I also thought I would miss sweets but I've been using the book to make snacks with stevia products. There are some chocolate recipes using cocoa powder and oils that help stifle any chocolate cravings. The oils often melt at a little above room temperature so I put chocolate pieces in bags in the freezer and granola in the fridge in snack bags.I have yet to find a recipe that didn't turn out well, though my tastebuds like a little more salt. Better to add it in later because you can't take it out once it's cooked. The only bad turnout I had was my mistake, assuming that coconut flour would substitute for almond flour. It won't.There's a wide variety of tastes to help you learn your way through adapting the lifestyle to your tastes.

Easy to read and understand. Great pictures and key points. Will continue using this cookbook in the future!

Great recipes