Keto Caribbean Style? Yes we can!

So keto is in the news these days, all over it. And for those of us living in the Caribbean I can understand why some would dismiss the benefits of this diet and ignore the success stories by labeling it as “another north American fad.” Well, I live in the Caribbean, Jamaica to be precise, and I’ve been keto since end August 2017…and counting. And I’m not alone! There’s a small but growing community of us right here in the Caribbean and the diaspora who are living the keto lifestyle, eating the delicious high octane food that characterises our region. In my latest podcast episode I cover the following topics to show how we rock keto Caribbean style

Topics Covered in the Podcast

  • What is the keto diet?
  • The standard American diet, the food pyramid as we’ve been taught and how we actually eat in the Caribbean
  • How what we’ve been eating here in the Caribbean has impacted our overall health and obesity levels
  • Just what the heck is a carb anyways and how do some of the traditional foods that we eat in the Caribbean stack up
  • Why cut carbs
  • So what do we eat in the absence of carbs in the Caribbean?
  • What have been my results from cutting carbs?
  • What are some examples of what I eat?

CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast.

Weight loss transformation on keto
Weight loss transformation on keto

The SAD, the Traditional Food Pyramid vs the Keto Food Pyramid

Infographic demonstrating the Standard American Diet (SAD)
Courtesy SuperiorThan
The traditional Food Pyramid that we've all been taught, the basis of our food choices today
The Traditional Food Pyramid courtesy Medium

The keto food pyramid turns the typical food pyramid on its head. Why? We want to move from burning glucose as the source of energy to burning fat as the source of energy. This metabolic pathway addresses the root cause on obesity and many associated diseases and conditions: insulin resistance. Burning fat causes stability in blood glucose and insulin levels.

Keto food pyramid

Photo Album of my Progress on Keto

Weight loss transformation on keto Caribbean style
Weight loss transformation on keto Caribbean style
Weight loss transformation on keto Caribbean style
Weight loss transformation on keto Caribbean style
Weight loss transformation on keto Caribbean style

Photo Album of some of my Caribbean Food on Keto

Corned beef and cabbage with a dollop of sour cream
Corned beef and cabbage with a dollop of sour cream
Curried chicken and callaloo with pak choi
Curried chicken and callaloo with pak choi
Saltfish with onions & tomato with callaloo & feta cheese
Saltfish with onions & tomato with callaloo & feta cheese
Cauliflower rice, creamy-cheesy chicken and curried goat
Cauliflower rice, creamy-cheesy chicken and curried goat
Fat head dough pizza
Fat head dough pizza
Crust-less ackee and mushroom quiche from the Kelly's Keto Cooking line
Crust-less ackee and mushroom quiche from the Kelly’s Keto Cooking line
Jerked pork
Jerked pork
Steamed fish with veggies
Steamed fish with veggies
"Brun": Bread + Brun: a low-low carb lightly sweetened and spiced bun from the Kelly's Keto Cooking line
“Brun”: Bread + Brun: a low-low carb lightly sweetened and spiced bun from the Kelly’s Keto Cooking line

Support for You from within the Caribbean Community: The Caribbean Keto Tribe!

Join the Caribbean Keto Tribe 🙂 It’s totally free to join and you’ll get so much inspiration, yummy meal ideas and recipes with foods that are familiar to you. Just click here and c’mon in!

Subscribe to my blog and get recipes!

Kelly’s Keto Cooking: making low-carb eating convenient!

I make eating low-carb easy and convenient with my line of crust-less quiches, low-carb bread and bun and riced cauliflower. Click here to see product listing and prices. Delivery is in Kingston, Jamaica only. Prices are in JMD.

Try Keto for 30 Days

So what have you got to lose? Do what I did…I decided to give keto a try for 30 days. I stuck to the plan, lost a little weight (it was sloooowwwww), but I felt AMAZING, I had great support within my family, and I KNEW from past experience, that cutting carbs was the only way I was really going to move serious weight without feeling deprived or miserable.

Do you feel as if you need help to get started? Do you need personalised guidance and coaching? I offer these services. Click here to see more.

Disclaimer:

I am not a medical doctor nor am I a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. Each individual’s dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual. You are ultimately responsible for all decisions pertaining to your health. The information on this website is written and produced for informational purposes only. This website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Content should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. The reader assumes full responsibility for consulting a qualified health professional regarding health conditions or concerns, and before starting a new diet or health program. 

6 thoughts on “Keto Caribbean Style? Yes we can!”

  1. Hi Kelly,

    This is kadeanne, from grace Kennedy. We use to see each other at lunch, when I was trying to lose the weight. Which I did , then it all came back again. I was so inspired by your story and wanted to know how I can join you on the keto journey?

  2. Hi Kelly,

    I learned about your story from the Jamaica Observer’s All Woman article. I love reading weight loss stories it’s so inspiring. I wanted to see if you were on any social media outlets and came across your blog. I read some of your stories, funny and totally relatable. I would love to connect with you and share my story as well.

  3. Hi Kelly
    My husband is a Kingstonian and we live in Canada. When I first met my husband I was very heavy. Within a year of meeting him I lost 69 pounds. 10 years ago we moved to Canada (my original home). I have steadily gained the weight back 63 lbs of it. Living in the Caribbean I had no trouble keeping off the weight. I think the stress up here is the reason. My husband is one of those tall skinny men and of course wants his food. I have started trying keto 2 weeks ago and have lost 8 lbs. It’s hard though because he loves carbs. Looking forward to your emails I need help. Just had a yam and pumpkin with my stewed kidneys. How did I do?

    1. Hi Kelly:
      A pleasure to meet you. Could it be the accessibility of processed foods taking you off goal? I’ve found the best way to eat is real food…the stuff that doesn’t come in a package: eggs, meat, fish, chicken, green veggies. All the others have stuff in there that causes inflammation and insulin resistance which makes weight gain inevitable.
      Yam is a definite no-no on keto…way too many carbs.
      Pumpkin is slightly better, but if you’re in weight loss mode I recommend no more than 1/2 cup twice per week. I encourage you to focus on green veggies with that delicious kidney. All the best to you!

Leave a Reply to Stacy Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *