As the owner of Keto Direct and someone who has been pursuing a lower carb lifestyle for a while now, I know how confusing all the chatter about 'keto' can be. Friends, family, and customers ask me the same questions over and over: what does keto actually mean, what foods are in the keto diet, and how do you make it work in the middle of everyday life with kids, work, and everything else going on?

For me, keto has never been about chasing fad diets. It’s about understanding how my body works, feeling in control of my health, and having the energy I need for my family and my business. At its simplest, ketosis is a natural process where your body switches from burning carbs to burning fat. When you keep your carb intake really low, your body starts producing ketones, and these become your fuel instead of sugar and starch.

I remember when I first learned that this switch wasn’t something extreme or new, but a state our bodies have always been able to use. In fact, the keto diet was originally developed in the 1920s as a medical treatment for children with epilepsy. Fast forward to today and it’s one of the most popular ways people are managing weight, balancing blood sugar, and improving overall health.

Following a keto eating plan usually means getting 70 to 80 percent of calories from fat, 20 to 25 percent from protein, and only 5 to 10 percent from carbohydrates. The most common keto diet foods include avocado, olive oil, nuts, seeds, cheese, eggs, fish, poultry, meat, leafy greens, broccoli, zucchini, mushrooms, and small amounts of berries. Foods you really can’t include in a keto diet are bread, rice, pasta, starchy vegetables, legumes, and of course overly processed and sugary foods and snacks.

That said, if you’ve browsed the Keto Direct store, you’ll know there are plenty of ways to satisfy your cravings (bread is my weakness for sure). We stock keto diet friendly snacks, pantry items and of course breads that fit perfectly into a ketogenic eating plan.

If you're like me, you'll be happy to know that some of my favourites breads are:

• Low Carb Life – Quick Mix Bread

• PBCO – Protein Bread Mix

• PBCO – Protein 6 Seeds Bread Mix

And amazingly there are even pizza base options too:

• Get Ya Yum On – Keto Pizza Base

• PBCO – Protein Pizza Base Mix

When planning meals on keto, I recommend keeping it simple. I followed the diet throughout last month and my two main go-to breakfasts were:

• Eggs any way – personally, I love omelettes with tomatoes, mushrooms, cheese, and ham; and

• Muesli bowls – The Monday Co or Blue Frog mueslis with a handful of berries, Greek yoghurt, and almond milk (always check the label for sugar content).

Breakfast is definitely my favourite meal when in keto, and some other breakfast ideas include chia pudding with protein powder and low carb pancakes, or pikelets (we stock some great PBCO and Low Carb mixes for these).

For lunch, I generally stick to big salads with tuna, chicken, or salmon, with nuts, cheese, and protein for staying power. Keto dinner meals include salmon or steak with cauliflower mash, chicken with broccoli, or zucchini lasagne. If you’re short on time, there are plenty of easy keto meals or keto meals delivered options to make things stress-free.

Snacks on a low carb diet are essential for me. My staples include nuts, cheese, boiled eggs, or keto safe snacks like bars and crackers. Fibre Boost bars are a lifesaver when the mid-morning or mid-afternoon hunger pangs hit, but we have a great range of keto-friendly snacks in store too.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, I recommend always keeping keto diet desserts on hand. These are usually made with sugar-free chocolate or carb friendly sweeteners like monkfruit, stevia, or allulose, so you can indulge without leaving ketosis.

Of course, one of the main reasons people start a keto diet program is weight loss. You’ll hear it called the “non-jab” way to get that Ozempic-style appetite suppression effect. A keto diet for weight loss works by naturally reducing appetite and encouraging fat burning. Many people trying a keto diet for beginners see quick results, which can be motivating in those first weeks. Personally, it took me three weeks to get into ketosis this time around. Beyond weight loss, studies show keto may improve insulin sensitivity, lower blood sugar, support brain health, and even contribute to longevity by reducing inflammation in the body.

Like any diet, keto does have its challenges. Some people experience the “keto flu” in the early days with headaches, tiredness, or mood swings. I didn’t notice this personally, but I made sure to increase electrolytes and stay hydrated. We stock great electrolyte options from Sodii, Revitalise, and Lokahi that can make this transition smoother. The diet can also feel restrictive or socially tricky, which is why keto foods delivered or a clear keto diet meal prep plan can help. I also kept a daily diary last month where I recorded my meals and tracked my weight, which kept me accountable and motivated.

For me, ketosis is not just about weight loss. It’s about having good energy levels, feeling more focused and aligned, and managing my diet to suit this stage of my life (hello perimenopause!).

Keto Direct is here to make keto and low carb eating easier with keto diet desserts, ketogenic diet snacks, and carb-friendly foods that help you stick to your eating plan. If you’re curious, my advice is to start with easy keto diet meals, stock your pantry with keto-friendly staples, and plan your meals before you begin.

I personally like to do a strict month of keto a couple of times a year to reset and break any bad habits that creep in. And I try not to be too hard on myself when I slip. A pantry reset and a return to my keto eating plan always gets me back on track.

If you're on journey of healthy living, stay in touch, we'd love to hear from you.

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Mia McLeod
Owner, Keto Direct