The ketogenic diet, commonly known as “keto,” is a low-carb, high-fat diet designed to shift your body’s metabolism into a state called ketosis, where fat becomes the primary energy source.
This meal plan is perfect for beginners looking to explore the keto lifestyle while enjoying flavorful, satisfying meals.
With this guide, you’ll find simple, easy-to-follow recipes that fit perfectly into your busy schedule.
Whether you’re completely new to keto or looking for a structured plan, this 7-day guide will help you get started on the right foot.
Day 1: Starting Strong
Breakfast: Avocado and Bacon Egg Cups
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe avocado, halved and pitted
- 2 large eggs
- 2 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Scoop out a bit of avocado to make room for the eggs.
- Crack one egg into each avocado half.
- Sprinkle bacon crumbles on top and season with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until the egg whites are set but the yolks are still runny.
Nutrition:
Calories: 320 | Fat: 28g | Carbs: 4g | Protein: 14g
Lunch: Keto Cobb Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of mixed greens
- 1 hard-boiled egg, sliced
- ½ avocado, diced
- 2 slices of cooked bacon, crumbled
- ¼ cup of blue cheese crumbles
- ½ grilled chicken breast, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
Instructions:
- Toss greens in olive oil and red wine vinegar.
- Add egg, avocado, bacon, blue cheese, and chicken on top.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition:
Calories: 450 | Fat: 38g | Carbs: 6g | Protein: 25g
Dinner: Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zoodles
Ingredients:
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 medium zucchinis, spiralized
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Toss shrimp in and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until pink.
- In a separate pan, heat olive oil and sauté zoodles for 2-3 minutes.
- Serve shrimp over zoodles, garnished with parsley.
Nutrition:
Calories: 350 | Fat: 22g | Carbs: 5g | Protein: 30g
Day 2: Embrace the Low-Carb Life
Breakfast: Keto Sausage and Egg Muffins
Ingredients:
- 6 large eggs
- ½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 sausage links, cooked and chopped
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Whisk eggs, then mix in cheese and sausage.
- Pour into muffin tins and bake for 15-20 minutes.
Nutrition:
Calories: 220 | Fat: 18g | Carbs: 1g | Protein: 15g
Lunch: Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients:
- 1 can of tuna in olive oil
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp mustard
- ¼ cucumber, diced
- Romaine lettuce leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Combine tuna, mayonnaise, mustard, and cucumber.
- Spoon mixture onto romaine lettuce leaves and roll up.
Nutrition:
Calories: 350 | Fat: 30g | Carbs: 2g | Protein: 22g
Dinner: Baked Chicken Thighs with Cauliflower Mash
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 4 chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
For the Cauliflower Mash: - 1 head of cauliflower, chopped
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp cream cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Rub chicken thighs with olive oil and spices, bake for 35-40 minutes.
- Steam cauliflower until tender. Blend with butter and cream cheese until smooth.
Nutrition:
Calories: 500 | Fat: 40g | Carbs: 6g | Protein: 30g
Day 3: Fat-Fueled Energy
Breakfast: Bulletproof Coffee
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of brewed coffee
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp MCT oil
Instructions:
- Blend all ingredients until frothy.
- Enjoy alongside a boiled egg for added protein.
Nutrition:
Calories: 220 | Fat: 24g | Carbs: 0g | Protein: 0g
Lunch: Grilled Salmon with Asparagus
Ingredients:
- 1 salmon fillet
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 8 spears of asparagus
- Lemon slices
Instructions:
- Grill the salmon on medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side.
- Toss asparagus in olive oil and grill until tender.
- Serve with lemon slices.
Nutrition:
Calories: 380 | Fat: 25g | Carbs: 5g | Protein: 32g
Dinner: Keto Beef Stir Fry
Ingredients:
- 1 lb beef strips
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
Instructions:
- Sauté beef in sesame oil until browned.
- Add vegetables and soy sauce, cooking until tender.
Nutrition:
Calories: 430 | Fat: 25g | Carbs: 8g | Protein: 35g
Day 4: Mid-Week Motivation
Breakfast: Cream Cheese Pancakes
Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Blend eggs, cream cheese, and vanilla until smooth.
- Cook on a greased pan like regular pancakes.
Nutrition:
Calories: 250 | Fat: 20g | Carbs: 3g | Protein: 12g
Lunch: Bacon-Wrapped Avocado
Ingredients:
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 4 slices of bacon
Instructions:
- Wrap avocado slices with bacon.
- Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes.
Nutrition:
Calories: 400 | Fat: 36g | Carbs: 6g | Protein: 12g
Dinner: Pork Chops with Garlic Butter Sauce
Ingredients:
- 2 pork chops
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley
Instructions:
- Cook pork chops in butter for 4-5 minutes per side.
- Add garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, then garnish with parsley.
Nutrition:
Calories: 450 | Fat: 30g | Carbs: 2g | Protein: 40g
Day 5: Keeping Momentum
Breakfast: Keto Smoothie
Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- ½ avocado
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 scoop protein powder
Instructions:
- Blend all ingredients until smooth.
- Enjoy chilled!
Nutrition:
Calories: 300 | Fat: 25g | Carbs: 6g | Protein: 20g
Lunch: Greek Salad with Feta
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of mixed greens
- ¼ cup feta cheese
- 5 kalamata olives
- ½ cucumber, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
- Toss greens, feta, olives, and cucumber in olive oil.
- Serve chilled.
Nutrition:
Calories: 350 | Fat: 30g | Carbs: 6g | Protein: 8g
Dinner: Zucchini Lasagna
Ingredients:
- 2 large zucchinis, sliced lengthwise
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup marinara sauce (no added sugar)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Brown beef, then add marinara sauce.
- Layer zucchini, beef mixture, and cheese in a baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes.
Nutrition:
Calories: 450 | Fat: 30g | Carbs: 8g | Protein: 35g
Day 6: Stay on Track
Breakfast: Spinach and Feta Omelette
Ingredients:
- 3 eggs
- 1/4 cup spinach
- 2 tbsp feta cheese
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions:
- Sauté spinach in butter, then set aside.
- Whisk eggs, pour into the pan, and cook until almost set.
- Add spinach and feta, fold the omelette, and serve.
Nutrition:
Calories: 300 | Fat: 25g | Carbs: 3g | Protein: 16g
Lunch: Chicken Caesar Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 grilled chicken breast, sliced
- 2 cups romaine lettuce
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp Caesar dressing (keto-friendly)
Instructions:
- Toss lettuce in Caesar dressing.
- Add chicken and parmesan on top.
Nutrition:
Calories: 400 | Fat: 28g | Carbs: 4g | Protein: 30g
Dinner: Baked Salmon with Pesto
Ingredients:
- 1 salmon fillet
- 2 tbsp keto-friendly pesto sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Drizzle salmon with olive oil, then top with pesto.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes.
Nutrition:
Calories: 380 | Fat: 28g | Carbs: 2g | Protein: 25g
Day 7: Finishing Strong
Breakfast: Keto Chia Pudding
Ingredients:
- ½ cup almond milk
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 5-6 drops of stevia
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients and let sit in the fridge overnight.
- Stir and enjoy the next morning.
Nutrition:
Calories: 200 | Fat: 15g | Carbs: 5g | Protein: 4g
Lunch: Egg Salad Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients:
- 4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Romaine lettuce leaves
Instructions:
- Combine eggs, mayonnaise, and mustard.
- Serve on lettuce leaves.
Nutrition:
Calories: 250 | Fat: 20g | Carbs: 2g | Protein: 12g
Dinner: Steak with Herb Butter
Ingredients:
- 1 ribeye steak
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme)
Instructions:
- Grill or pan-sear steak to desired doneness.
- Top with herb butter before serving.
Nutrition:
Calories: 550 | Fat: 45g | Carbs: 0g | Protein: 40g
Conclusion
Starting a ketogenic lifestyle can feel overwhelming, but with this 7-day plan, you’re equipped with simple, delicious, and balanced meals that will help you thrive.
The journey toward ketosis is about more than cutting carbs — it’s about embracing healthy fats, nourishing your body, and enjoying flavorful food that satisfies. Stick with this meal plan, listen to your body, and remember to stay positive! You’re setting yourself up for success.