Thinking of taking keto supplements? Find out what they are and how they support your keto diet & lifestyle
The keto diet is one of many that are growing in popularity. It unconventionally cuts out carbs (bye, bye pizza and pasta), to turn your body into fat-burning mode. For some people, keto is a way of life but for others, it’s an approach to weight loss.
Although it can be difficult to achieve a balanced diet on keto, due to cutting out important food groups, putting the right nutrients into your body is essential – this is where keto supplements come in.
What are keto supplements?
As the keto diet cuts out a number of foods, from wholegrains and starchy vegetables to fruits and legumes, many people choose to supplement their diet with specific nutrients, known as keto supplements.
Whether you’re looking to kickstart the ketogenic diet, or you want to supplement some of the nutrients you could be missing, it’s important to make good food choices, drink plenty of fluids and consider the use of supplements to help address potential dietary shortfalls.
It’s important to note that although the keto diet is recognised for weight loss, the below recommended products and supplements won’t cause weight loss. Instead, these can supplement your diet, contribute to your overall health, and help support your body by giving it essential nutrients that may be lacking from the keto diet.
Take a look at the foods choices you can make on a keto diet
Are you getting your daily dose of vitamins, minerals & fibre?
If you’re considering a keto diet, you’ve just started or you’re looking for new supplements, there’s a lot to consider, so it can be hard to know what’s best for you.
There are several nutrients that can fall short in your diet such as fibre, vitamins and minerals. So, why not consider taking vitamins and supplements that can fuel your body with the nutrients it needs?
Food supplements are intended to supplement the diet and should not be substituted for a varied diet and healthy lifestyle.
How does fibre support the keto diet and lifestyle?
Foods rich in fibre such as fruit, legumes, starchy vegetables such as potatoes and parsnips, as well as grains including rice and pasta, are all restricted on the keto diet. As your body will have a shortfall of fibre on the diet, it’s a good idea to incorporate nuts, low-carb vegetables, leafy greens and seeds to meet your daily intake.
Boots Magnesium 60 Tablets
• Size: 375 mg
• Free from artificial flavours
• Contains no preservatives
• Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
• Lactose free
Magnesium is an important nutrient that the body needs to stay healthy. Magnesium helps turn our food into energy and can play a role in reducing tiredness and fatigue while contributing to the maintenance of normal bones.
How does magnesium support the keto diet and lifestyle?
Magnesium is often found in wholegrains such as wholemeal bread – something that is restricted on the keto diet. So, taking magnesium supplements can help you achieve the recommended daily intake of 270mg for women and 300mg for men.
Boots Multivitamins with Iron
• 90 tablets
• 3 months’ supply
• Suitable for vegetarians
• Lactose free
• Free from artificial flavours and preservatives
Including 12 essential vitamins, from B12 to support a healthy immune system and normal energy release, to iron helping to reduce fatigue, support your overall health and wellbeing with these multivitamins.
How do multivitamins and iron support the keto diet and lifestyle?
Generally, taking daily multivitamins such as minerals and vitamin D is an efficient way to support a healthy lifestyle and diet, so these should be considered during the keto diet, too. Although the keto diet contains some iron-rich foods, a supplement with added iron can help reduce the feelings of tiredness which can be a common symptom of keto ‘flu’.
Boots Vitamin D
• Size: 90 tablets
• 3 months’ supply
• Suitable for vegetarians
• Free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives
• Lactose-free
• Suitable for adults and children aged 12 years and over
Vitamin D supplements can help regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body which are important nutrients for healthy bones, muscles and teeth. Each tablet provides the daily 10µg of vitamin D which can contribute to the normal function of the immune system.
How does vitamin D support the keto diet and lifestyle?
Although vitamin D isn’t typically at a shortfall on the keto diet, it’s difficult to get enough vitamin D from foods alone. It’s recommended that adults consider taking a daily supplement containing 10µg of vitamin D during the autumn and winter months.
Protein World Keto Fat Metaboliser Capsules
• Size: 90 tablets
• 45 servings – 1 dose = 2 capsules
• Gluten free
• Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
With medium chain triglycerides (MCT) – a type of fat as a key ingredient, MCTs are directly absorbed into the blood, supporting the conversion to ketones (an energy source) by the liver. These supplements also contain choline which can help contribute to the process of normal lipid metabolism, as well as vitamins B6 and B12 to help reduce tiredness and fatigue.
Protein World Keto Hunger Buster Capsules
• Size: 90 tablets
• Dosage: 1-2 tablets three times daily
• Gluten free
• Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
These capsules can help support weight management with the combination of konjac glucomannan – a water-soluble fibre that can help create a feeling of fullness, and garcinia cambogia – a fruit powder that can be found in some weight loss supplements. The beneficial effect of these capsules is obtained with a daily intake of 3 grams of glucomannan (in three doses of 1 gram each), together with 1-2 glasses of water, before meals and in the context of an energy-restricted diet.
Warning: Risk of choking for people with swallowing difficulties or when ingesting glucomannan with inadequate fluid intake. Always take capsules with plenty of water to ensure substance reaches the stomach and maintain sufficient levels of water throughout the day.
Does keto powder work the same as supplements?
Taking supplements and vitamins can be beneficial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. On a keto diet, there are lots of capsules and powders to choose from, so it can be hard to tell what is best for you.
Whilst capsule supplements can contribute to your overall health, keto powders can fuel your active keto diet and lifestyle while giving you that extra portion of protein, too.
Pulsin Keto Protein Powder Vanilla
• Size: 252g
• Low sugar
• High protein and fibre
• Plant based
• Vegan
• Gluten free
Fuelled with MCT (medium-chain triglycerides) fats from coconut, vitamins and plant-based proteins, MCTs can be rapidly digested and converted into ketones for energy metabolism. Plus, vitamins B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12 & C can help to reduce tiredness and fatigue while supporting the normal function of the immune system.
So what should you incorporate into your diet?
Remember, there’s no golden rule to ace the keto diet. Taking daily vitamins, minerals and supplements can help maintain a healthy diet. You can find out more information on our vitamins and supplements hub.
Not sure what’s best for you? If you’re taking any medication or have any medical condition, consult your pharmacist or GP before taking any of the above.
Disclaimer: The above content is not referring to the ketogenic diets that are used as a medical treatment for the management of epilepsy in children.
