Winter Keto Recipes & Healthy Comfort Foods
When the holiday season comes ‘round and the temperatures get chilly, nothing beats some tasty comfort food. A hearty stew, baked goods, and a warming bowl of soup make the perfect meals during the wintertime. But, it takes a little creativity if you follow a keto diet and want to satisfy your winter food cravings. Who said comfort foods can’t be healthy? We put together a list of winter keto recipes so you can indulge in healthy comfort foods all season long!
Why the Keto Diet?
At NeuroQ, we’re all about living life to its fullest. None of that is really possible without a healthy brain. We depend on our brains to store our most precious memories, to learn about the world, to process information, to feel emotionally balanced and calm—all that and much, much more.
For decades, we’ve thought that genetics determine our destiny when it comes to brain health and aging. And many write off memory loss as a “senior moment” when memory loss is not inevitable, nor is it a normal sign of aging.
Actually, there’s a lot we can do to protect our brains and prevent future decline. Lifestyle habits like eating the right foods, taking daily supplements, exercising, and getting enough sleep are just a few ways to support cognition and protect your memory.
When it comes to nutrition, neurologist Dr. Dale Bredesen recommends a mildly keto diet. His Bredesen diet—KetoFLEX 12/3—is a low-carb, low-sugar diet rich in plants and healthy fats. It maintains a healthy metabolic state, called ketosis, that helps our brain and body process energy effectively.
Our Favorite Keto Winter Recipes
Something about a chilly night indoors by the fire makes you want to fill up on comfort foods, right? Well, you can still indulge and stick to a healthy keto diet. Just keep a few of these low-carb winter meals in your repertoire!
1. Cajun Shrimp and Cauliflower Grits
Keto, low-carb, grain-free, and sugar-free? Sign me up! This is one of our favorite low-carb winter meals. Cauliflower grits get paired with shrimp, loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, the building blocks for a healthy brain. Cook ‘em up smoky and spicy for a tongue-tingling southern-inspired supper that takes less than 30 minutes to make—ideal for a weekday!
Click here for the shrimp and cheesy grits recipe.
Omega-3 fatty acids like DHA play a huge role in maintaining brain health. A happy and healthy brain needs DHA each day, to support brain structure and memory. Get your daily dose of DHA omega-3 with NeuroQ Memory DHA-400.
2. Shakshuka
Take a trip to the Middle East, and you won’t miss this staple on the menu. Easy to make and full of nutrition, traditional shakshuka consists of eggs poached in a tomato-based sauce. Enjoy it with healthy fats like hummus or tahini, a sauce made of ground sesame. This hearty breakfast or brunch will keep you full throughout the day. Plus, egg yolks are full of choline, an essential nutrient that protects memory and brain function.
Add your own spin with cheeses on the side, like feta or labneh. Plus, egg yolks are full of choline, an essential nutrient that protects memory and brain function.
Click here for the shakshuka recipe.
3. Philly Not-So Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers
You don’t have to go to the famed Philly food joints, Pat’s or Geno’s, to satisfy your craving for a Philly cheesesteak. Make it at home the healthy way, with this recipe that substitutes the roll with a keto-friendly stuffed pepper. Fill them up with mushrooms, peppers, and protein-packed sirloin (Dr. Bredesen recommends grass-fed beef).
Click here for the Philly cheesesteak stuffed peppers recipe.
4. Roasted Cauliflower Soup Recipe
We had to include one of our favorite keto winter soup recipes on this list. It’s easy to make and cooks up in one pot in 35 minutes. It’s one of those ideal keto comfort foods that also make you feel satisfied on a cold winter’s day.
Cauliflower, cashews, and cannellini beans thicken the broth for a creamy, nutty flavor (yum!). It’s a smart food too as foods with choline, like cauliflower, help protect memory (yay!). Add a little paprika, curry, and black pepper for a spicy flavor.
Click here for the cheeseburger soup recipe.
5. Vegan Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. But all that pasta and cheese can wreak havoc on your digestion, and neurologist Dr. Dale Breseden recommends limiting carbs. Instead, go for this healthier version which substitutes pasta with cauliflower. Like eggs, cauliflower is a good source of choline, which protects long-term cognition and memory performance.
Click here for the cauliflower mac and cheese recipe.
Healthy Doesn’t Have to Mean Perfect
Remember: it’s natural to crave heartier foods during the wintertime. Health doesn’t have to mean perfection. Try not to be hard on yourself if you have more of an appetite at this time of year. Finding healthy alternatives to comfort foods, like these winter keto recipes, will help you stay satisfied while also supporting your wellness routine throughout the year.
Want more keto comfort meals? Check out our best keto snacks and sweets recipes for treats that keep you on track for healthy cognition and overall well-being.
