Top Tips for a Kosher Keto Holiday Season

What is Kosher?

“Kosher” is a term used to describe food that complies with traditional Jewish law's strict dietary standards. And while those who observe may follow said dietary guidelines, vegetarians and vegans may also gravitate toward kosher foods since they are certified free of blood or other animal matter, in some instances.

Whether done in religious observation or to accommodate a particular dietary need, many choose to commit to eating only foods that have endured the rigorous processes and handling required to certify it as kosher.

And it's worth noting that a kosher lifestyle is about more than a meal plan or meal plan protocol; it is deeply intertwined in the walking out of a faithful practice and reverence for religious tradition and standards, as well.

Though variations of the dietary observance exist, most guidelines disallow pairing meat and dairy and only permit certain animals' eating—excluding all shellfish, pork or fish without fins and gills.

Fortunately, the choice to observe religious kosher dietary standards does not limit the flavor or decadence of compliant keto dishes.And there are an abundance of kosher keto options to enjoy during holiday celebrations or on any day of the week.

Plus, you likely have many foods that are kosher in your fridge or pantry right now and are none the wiser. You can certainly follow a kosher eating protocol and keep it keto at the same time, and here are the top practices to consider when doing so:

The laws that comprise the core principles and practices adhered to within a kosher dietary lifestyle are collectively referred to as kashrut and are referenced within the Torah, the Jewish book of sacred texts.

And the detailed instructions for following these nutritional laws are passed down through the generations with oral tradition—a perfect practice to keep mealtime storytelling spicy and engaging.

However, eating a keto kosher diet may take some extra consideration, especially if new to low-carb living, as Kosher dietary laws are comprehensive and establish a defined and rigid framework of rules to follow—even spacing out the consumption of foods that’s pairing is prohibited.

As a result, unfortunately for some, the classic American cheeseburger is not an option on a keto kosher diet. However, the vast array of dairy-free cheese or meat alternative options on the market may allow a slight broadening of the kosher lifestyle while still coloring within the etched out religious dietary lines.

Again, there are certainly some forbidden food pairings that you'll want to remain mindful of when eating kosher. Still, we'd also like to take a look at the many abundant and delicious food options that fall within the kosher-keto camp that you'll enjoy, love, and possibly make a dietary staple.

Here are some essential guidelines to follow if living a kosher keto lifestyle:

Breakfast:

• Veggie Omelet
• Cheese and Veggie Crustless Quiche
• Scrambled Eggs with Spinach
• Fried Eggs
• Keto or Bulletproof Coffee: You can begin your day with a caffeinated jolt and keep it keto and kosher. Add a splash of heavy cream to your morning brew along with some liquid stevia for a super satisfying and guilt-free AM treat!
• Chaffles (Keto Waffles)
• Keto Breakfast Scramble
• Keto Breakfast Sandwich on keto friendly bread
• Cheesy Spinach Keto Puffs
• Keto Bagels
• Scrambled Eggs with Vegetable Hash
• Chia Seed Pudding

Lunch:

• Cauliflower Crust Pizza
• Zucchini Noodle Soup
• Creamy & Keto Broccoli & Cheese Soup
• Smoked Salmon Chard Wraps
• Chicken and Vegetables
• Warm Me Up Slow Cooker Chili
• Crustless Quiche with Spinach and Asiago Cheese
• Broiled Steak & Stir-fried Veggies
• Fresh Garden Salad
• Greek Salad
• Chicken Lettuce Wraps
• Salmon Lunch Bowl: Add some crisp cucumbers and other fresh veggies to your bowl with a little vinaigrette for a fast keto lunch option.
• Creamy Pumpkin Soup
• Grilled Cheese Sandwich on Keto-friendly Bread

Dinner:

• Roasted Asparagus Wrapped in Prosciutto
• Golden Keto Cauliflower Bake
• Grilled Chicken Served Over Kale Salad
• Roasted Bell Peppers and Onions
• Salmon Kebabs
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Spinach and Feta-stuffed Salmon
• String Bean Salad with Almond Slivers
• Roasted Eggplant in Garlic Butter
• Roasted Vegetables
• Cauliflower Rice
• Eggplant Vegetarian Keto Lasagna
• Oven-Fried Chicken
• Fish Kebabs
• Creamy Chicken Curry
• Creamy Mashed Turnips
• Roasted Cauliflower
• Stir-fried Veggies
• Curry Chicken
• Balsamic String Beans
• Broiled Salmon
• Herbed Tilapia in Lemon Butter Sauce
• Chicken Kebabs—bring on the colorful and slightly-sweet red bell peppers!
• Keto Shepherd's Pie
• Creamy Keto Cauliflower Mash
• Fathead Pizza
• Lemon Rosemary Tilapia
• Keto friendly Meatloaf
• Roasted Turkey
• Impossibly Keto BBQ Chicken
• Coconut Flour Flatbread Wraps: Make quick and easy turkey roll-ups!
• Citrus Baked Salmon
• Pot Roast
• Beef and Broccoli Stir-fry

Dessert:

• Homemade Keto Ice Cream
• Keto Pumpkin Pie
• Whipped Cream (with heavy whipping cream or coconut cream)
• Keto Almond Cake (fat bomb)
• NY-style Cheesecake
• Keto Pumpkin Walnut Bread
• Keto Apple Spiced Donuts
• Fresh berries

Snacks:

• Keto friendly Flaxseed Crackers
• Cloud Bread
• Guacamole and Keto Tortilla Chips
• Cole Slaw
• Olive Tapenade
• Parmesan Cheese Crisps
• Homemade Kale Chips: This is an excellent opportunity to whip out your dehydrator or use that function on your air fryer to make a few trays of fatty and decadent keto kale chips—yum, super cheesy!
• Delightful Zucchini Bread
• Celery Sticks and Nut Butter (e.g., almond, cashew, peanut, etc.)
• Baked Cucumber Chips with Sea Salt and Vinegar
• Tomato Salsa
• Olives
• Cheese
• Keto friendly nuts
• Hard boiled eggs

Keto-friendly Kosher Beverages

Our dining experience is incomplete without the complement of a well-appointed beverage. But drink selections can make or break your keto dietary protocol if not wise with your choices.

Here are some kosher and keto-friendly beverage options to enjoy during the holidays and beyond:

• Water (plain or seltzer)
• Tea
• Coffee
• Zico Coconut Water

Plus, a kosher ketogenic diet is a fantastic dietary protocol to support overall health, enhance vitality, and prevent several diseases and disorders.

Eating a ketogenic diet is known to benefit the body as follows:

• Prevents Heart Disease: While once demonized, there's now more nuance to the health community's view on the effects on the body caused by different types of fat (e.g., saturated fat versus polyunsaturated, or monounsaturated fats, etc.).

  
  Make sure to choose healthy saturated fats like coconut oil or foods filled with omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, to best support brain and heart health on a low-carb, high-fat diet.

• Regulates Blood Sugar and Supports Metabolic Function: Consuming large amounts of sugar and carbs can contribute to wild spikes and dips in blood sugar levels, causing metabolic disorders like insulin resistance.

  
  And conversely, eliminating sugar and starch from the diet as much as possible is an excellent way to regulate glucose levels and support a properly functioning metabolism to aid in efficient weight management.

• Improves Good Cholesterol Levels: Healthy fats, like medium-chain fatty acids and ghee, can help enhance good cholesterol (HDL) levels to balance out any adverse effects of bad (LDL) cholesterol—while helping to suppress the appetite naturally.

• Improves Concentration and Optimal Brain Function: Switching our fuel source from glucose to fat and ketones boost our mental acuity and concentration and aid in healthy brain cell regeneration.

• Improves Energy: Ketones are highly bioavailable, and the body utilizes them immediately once consumed as a form of long-lasting premium fuel.

• Enhances Physical Performance: Increased energy leads to improved stamina and performance and improves physical agility and endurance when in a ketotic state.

• Prevents Cancer: Regulating blood sugar levels, hormones, and metabolism all create a harmonious environment in the body that helps prevent cellular mutations like certain cancers.

Kosher law consideration aside, there are some standard best practices to follow to ensure the best experience possible as you eliminate sugar and carbs from your diet.

We have dedicated an article to the best way to begin a ketogenic diet and how to avoid or mitigate the collective symptoms of fatigue, soreness, and unpleasant breath that some temporarily experience when transitioning to ketosis, known as the keto flu.

Keto Seder and Passover

Jewish law requires eating matzah or recipes using matzah meal during seder and through to Passover, which can result in unintentional weight gain.

Limit both matzah and keto kosher wine intake, consume just enough to honor your religious commitment, and then opt for an extra serving of creamed spinach or brisket instead of any other carb or starchy food.

Plus, many vegan keto options are kosher and provide additional recipe options for us to try.

Summary

The holidays are a particular time to enjoy the company of family and traditions that bring us closer, even if only in sentiment if traveling and celebrating in-person isn't feasible.

Share recipes with family and friends and consider the possibilities that virtual gatherings offer to connect no matter where we are in the world.

There are many keto food options certified kosher to help observe religious dictates while keeping carbs low.

Swap recipes with family and friends to keep feasting exciting and get folks involved with continuing the fare akin to your cherished holiday traditions this year and for many more to come.

Sources

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• Kosher Certification: Theory and Application. (n.d.). Kosher Food Production, 1-23. doi:10.1002/9780813804750.ch1
• Conclusion: Kosher Ethics / Ethical Kosher ? (2016). Kosher USA, 245-258. doi:10.7312/horo15832-010
• An Introduction to Kosher Baking. (2010). The Kosher Baker, Xv-Xviii. doi:10.2307/j.ctv102bfn0.5
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus - Kosher diet. (2016). Dietetic and Nutrition Case Studies, 254-256. doi:10.1002/9781119163411.ch70
• Senter, R. H., & Glass, M. (2016). Religious Food Regulations – Kosher Labeling. Reference Module in Food Science. doi:10.1016/b978-0-08-100596-5.03266-2
• Horowitz, R. (2016). Who Says It’s Kosher? Kosher USA, 75-104. doi:10.7312/columbia/9780231158329.003.0004
• Best. (2007). Preparing for a Low-Carb Future. Cereal Foods World. doi:10.1094/cfw-52-1-0004
• Evolving Advice for Women’s Health Through Diet. (2020). Women, Food, and Diet in the Middle Ages, 195-214. doi:10.2307/j.ctv186grqv.13
• Sabbath, Shabbat. (n.d.). Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online. doi:10.1163/2352-0272_emho_dum_026881
• Making Dinner, Making Meaning: Cooking, Family, and the Self. (2019). Making Dinner, 1-30. doi:10.5040/9781474252584.ch-001
• The Kosher Laws Distinguishing Clean and Unclean Creatures. (n.d.). Cosmos, Chaos and the Kosher Mentality. doi:10.5040/9781474266260.ch-006