Keto Diet Plan For Beginners: What Can You Actually Eat on the Diet Celebs Swear By?

Whether you're trying to stick to your healthy New Year's resolutions or simply have a tendency to research celebrity eating habits (same), chances are you've come across a blazingly buzzy diet involving high-fat meals — yes, fat — designed to send the body into ketosis. Known as the ketogenic diet — or keto diet — this hyped regime is goes against everything we thought we knew about dieting. Itching to try a keto diet plan for beginners? Keep reading for the basics

First thing's first, here's why fat is the answer: "Our bodies do need fat to function properly,” Hope Pedraza, a certified personal trainer, nutrition coach, and the founder of fitness and wellness studio inBalance in San Antonio, Texas, told The Feast. "Eating fat helps provide energy, actually helps burn fat, and aids in the absorption of fat soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K."

And strategically balancing more fat with moderate protein and low-carb intake guarantees results even Kourtney Kardashian can attest to. In a post on her app about the keto plan, the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star detailed the learning curve beginners can expect including intermittent fasting.

"For me, this meant not eating for 14 to 16 hours after dinner," Kourtney, a notoriously rigorous dieter, wrote, "I wouldn't eat past 7 p.m. at night and then I would wait to eat breakfast the next day until after my morning workout, which would be around 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Then, one day a week, I did a 24-hour fast where I only drank homemade bone broth, water and green tea."

Kardashian focused on eating fresh veggies and lean protein, but there are some keto pantry staples any beginner should always have around, according to BodyBuilding.com. Things like avocado, beef, dark meat chicken, eggs, fatty nuts and seeds, full-fat cheese, salted butter, and sour cream are key.

As a rough guide, aim to eat a 70 to 75 percent fats, 15 to 20 percent lean proteins, and five to 10 percent veggies — though no guarantees you'll look exactly like a Kardashian in the end, no matter how closely you follow the plan. (Good luck!)

Any health-related information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider for any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, or before embarking on any diet, exercise, or wellness program.