A Week of the Keto Diet: 7-Day Keto Meal Plan

The goal of a ketogenic diet—a nutrition plan high in fats and low in carbs—is to help you lose weight more efficiently by achieving ketosis. Ketosis is when your metabolism starts to burn fat for fuel instead of carbs and sugar. Atkins is a ketogenic diet, but the standard keto diet, Atkins is less restrictive, meaning you get more food choices and a better balance of macronutrients.

With Atkins 20®, net carbs are restricted to 20g or fewer per day for a two-week induction phase to guarantee that ketosis is achieved, before gradually adding small amounts of net carbs back into your diet. Consuming a well-constructed keto diet that's low in carbs, moderate in protein, and high in healthy fats—as you do on Atkins 20® or Atkins 40®—has shown to be safe and effective. Typical of Atkins 20 ®, this 7-day keto plan is broken down as follows:

60–70% fat: Keto diets replace the calories that typically come from carbs with an increase in the percentage of calories coming from fat. But not all fat is created equal. Reach for healthy fats from high-quality plant and animal sources, such as olive oil and coconut oil as well as eggs, avocados, cheese, and fish.

20–30% protein: Following a keto diet requires eating an adequate amount of protein to supply your liver with amino acids, which help make new glucose for the cells and organs in your body that can't use ketones as fuel. Eating too much protein can suppress ketosis, but not consuming enough can lead to a loss in muscle mass.

5–10% carbs: On a keto diet like Atkins, you'll limit your net carb intake to 20 to 40 grams per day. To ensure you're getting all of your required nutrients, especially fiber, it is important that the carbs you do eat come from vitamin and mineral-rich foundation vegetables.

Sample Keto Diet 7-Day Meal Plan

Most people can consume up to 50g total carbohydrates per day and maintain ketosis. This sample 7-day keto diet plan, with an average of 20.5g net carbs per day, will show you how to eat right, not less, with Atkins keto while still enjoying a variety of satisfying foods.

Day 1: Monday

Total net carbs: 20.7g

Breakfast (4.6g net carbs): Eggs Scrambled with Sautéed Onions and Cheddar Cheese

Snack (2g net carbs): Atkins Peanut Butter Fudge Crisp Bar

Lunch (5.8g net carbs): 6 oz deli ham over 2 cups mixed greens with ½ Hass avocado, 5 large black olives, ½ cup sliced ​​cucumbers, and 2 Tbsp blue cheese dressing

Snack (4.5g net carbs): 3/4 medium zucchini cut into sticks and 2 oz provolone cheese

Dinner (3.8g net carbs): Baked Catfish with Broccoli and Herb-Butter Blend

Keto tip of the day: Low carb diets like Atkins keto have a diuretic effect, so make sure you're drinking at least 6 to 8 glasses of water each day. Not consuming enough water—especially when starting a new low carb diet—can lead to constipation, dizziness, and sugar/carb cravings. Also make sure you add extra salt to your diet in order to make sure you're getting enough electrolytes. Try sipping on full-sodium broth or adding a little extra salt to your food.

Day 2: Tuesday

Total net carbs: 20.1g

Breakfast (5g net carbs): Atkins Frozen Farmhouse-Style Sausage Scramble

Snack (4.4g net carbs): 1 cup sliced ​​red bell pepper with 2 Tbsp ranch dressing

Lunch (5.4g net carbs): 1 serving Tuna-Celery Salad with Mixed Greens and 3 cherry tomatoes

Snack (2.2g net carbs): 1 stalk celery with 2 Tbsp cream cheese

Dinner (3.2g net carbs): 7 oz bone-in pork chop with Cauliflower-Cheddar Mash

Keto tip of the day: Get moving! Exercising regularly can help you achieve ketosis by aiding your body in using up its excess glucose before storing as glycogen. It's normal to feel a bit sluggish when starting a keto diet, so if you're new to the low carb lifestyle, stay active with low-intensity movement like yoga and walking. When you're feeling more energized, add in some high-intensity exercise a few days a week.

Day 3: Wednesday

Total net carbs: 19.7g

Breakfast (2.9g net carbs): Spinach and Swiss Cheese Omelet

Snack (1g net carbs): Atkins Strawberry Shake

Lunch (6g net carbs): Grilled chicken over baby spinach, tomato, and avocado salad

Snack (2.2g net carbs): 2 oz ham, 2 Tbsp cream cheese, and 2 dill pickle spears

Dinner (7.6g net carbs): Beef Sauteed with Vegetables Over Romaine

Keto tip of the day: If you are new to a low carb lifestyle, you might start to come down with what's known as the keto flu. A term coined by the keto community, this is a temporary side effect experienced by some people when they start the keto diet. If you are experiencing headaches, weakness, and poor concentration, don't throw in the towel! Electrolytes and water are quickly depleted when you first start a keto diet, so make sure you are drinking plenty of water and consuming a little extra sodium and potassium. It also helps to get adequate sleep and make sure you are eating plenty of healthy fats.