The Best Keto Drinks of 2024

The Best Keto Drinks Buyer’s Guide

New to the whole keto trend? Worry not; we’ve got you covered. This guide will cover the essentials regarding keto diets and keto drinks to give you a general idea of what to expect.

Benefits of a Ketogenic Diet

A ketogenic diet is a type of diet in which a person consumes plenty of fat-rich foods while limiting carbohydrate consumption to minimal levels. This diet will continue for weeks or even months at a time. The main reason to do this is so that your body enters a state known as ketosis.

In a nutshell, ketosis is a state of the human body where it burns fat for energy. You see, humans have two energy reserves: carbohydrates and fat. Carbs are our primary energy source, and we use this to fuel our daily activities. It’s also why we don’t like going more than a day without potatoes, wheat, rice, and other staples.

When ketosis occurs, your body basically flips a switch. Instead of relying on carbs supplied in the body, your body instead turns to stored fats, and it looks to use those fats as its main energy source. Specifically, fats are converted in the liver into energy-supplying compounds known as ketones. Trainer and dietician with The Gym Goat Reda Elmardi comments, “Unlike regular metabolism, ketosis occurs when there is a lack of glucose in the blood. This results in the body burning ketones instead of glucose, which provides energy to cells throughout the body. And that’s pretty much all there is to it! The keto diet is simply a stricter form of ketosis where you eat high-fat, low-carb foods to help you lose weight.”

You can see why keto diets have become so popular. It’s a somewhat unconventional way of going on a diet, as you’re eating meats and other fatty and protein-heavy foods while skipping the carbs in potatoes and wheat, a.k.a. common trigger foods. Some people feel better on a keto diet instead of a regular carbohydrate one. If you do, that’s great! Just remember, if you are switching to the keto diet to lose weight, the only way that will happen is if you are in a caloric deficit. Achieving this deficit may be easier by only eating protein, fat, and minimal carbs, a.k.a., going keto.

Why You Should Consider Keto Drinks for Your Diet

Easy preparation

Why bother spending half an hour preparing your meal when you can just drink a glass of some meal shake and call it a day? Unlike other diets, keto diets require you to go heavy on fats and skip the carbs, so you can drink something as simple as a meal shake and get enough nutrients to last you until the next meal.

The ease of preparing the drinks also comes in handy when you’re busy or running late for an appointment. You can just mix it up in a bottle, drink it, and be on your way in less than a minute. This level of convenience is just one of the perks that come with keto diets.

Accurate caloric tracking

Keto diets are best done in controlled environments and conditions, and you want to be as strict with yourself as possible if you want the best results. Keto diets can be done with off-the-shelf meats, fruits, and vegetables, but the problem is that you just can’t get a reasonable estimate of the nutrients and calories you’re taking. Sure, you can get a rough estimate by using average values, but that’s not exactly an accurate method.

All keto drinks and meal shakes come with a table of nutrients that lists the exact amount of each nutrient you consume in every glass. This makes calculating your daily intake of carbs very easy and accurate, and you won’t have to worry about getting a little too close to the daily limit as you can accurately keep track.

Portability

Meals are often restricted to boxes, containers, and dishes, and this means that you usually can’t eat them unless you have a desk or table nearby or at least a place to sit for you to rest your food on your lap. Keto drinks, on the other hand, don’t suffer from this logistic restriction.

Instead of having to find a place to sit, you can drink anywhere you want. You could have your meal on a bus or train while waiting in traffic or even in the middle of your working hours. It’s a very convenient way to stay fed and full.

The Various Kinds of Keto Drinks

Keto drinks are available in more ways than just flavors. Here’s what you should know about keto drinks:.

Meal shakes

Meal shakes are one-glass meals that are meant to serve as a substitute for an actual meal. These meal shakes are often a little thicker in viscosity compared to other keto drinks. Meal shakes also have a few flavors they are available in, but many of them are somewhat milky in nature, so you’re pretty limited in terms of available options.

Protein coffee

Protein coffee is exactly what it sounds like: coffee mixed with a bunch of protein. Protein coffee is easy to consume and is best served cold oftentimes, and it’s usually enjoyed during or after a workout or some other physical activity. The boost in caffeine gives you a short-term energy rush, while the protein helps repair those torn muscles.

Carb-free drinks

Other than shakes and drinks, there are also carb-free drinks that can replace your typical glass of juice or tea after a meal. These drinks contain no carbs whatsoever but otherwise taste just like a regular glass of juice or tea.

Conclusion

If you’re not sure whether or not the keto diet is ideal for you, consider if you’d be able to stick to the diet thoroughly and if you’d be doing so with the help of a professional dietician. Ketosis is not right for everyone so let your health professional know you plan on going keto and discuss if it is right for you.