Published on: 17 March 2018
Last Updated on: 12 September 2024
Following a ketogenic diet means cutting down the Carbohydrates content in your food and increasing the fat content. This is to ensure that the body consumes fat in order to get the energy required for its functioning. A ketogenic diet is known to have a number of benefits ranging from weight loss to sugar level control. A lot of people rely on keto diets to decrease their body weight and get in shape because of their highly effective results. Also, following the low-Carb diet helps in regulating the sugar level in the body, thus proving to be a boon for persons suffering from diabetes. The sugar level in the body can be checked easily with the help of smack at ketone strips.
Food intake on a ketogenic diet needs to be done very carefully and only after analysis the proper effects of what you’re eating. There are certain foods which have high nutritious value but need to be avoided on a low-Carb diet because of their high Carbohydrates content. To make things simpler for you, here is a list of the items that you can eat while being on a keto diet:
1. Seafood:
Apart from being a good source of vitamins, minerals, and other fatty acids, seafood is one of the major food recommendations for those who are on a keto diet. This is because there are several types of seafood which are low in carbs and even those which are free of carbs. You can rely on clams, mussels, octopus, oysters, and squid as their carb content is very low.
2. Eggs:
Eggs are of the most suitable foods to eat on a ketogenic diet. This is because of the fact that egg contains less than 1 gram of Carbohydrates, thus can be considered as a low-Carb food. Another benefit with eggs is that they keep a check on the appetite so that you don’t end up feeling hungry every now and then.
3. Cheese:
Cheese is a food which is known for its taste and high nutritional There are a lot of varieties of cheese available in the market and almost all of them are rich in fat and low in Carbohydrates. You can safely rely on cheese while being on a keto diet.
4. Low-Carb vegetables:
The non-starchy vegetables are considered to be keto-friendly as they are low in Carbohydrates along with having an ample amount of nutrients. You can choose to eat cauliflower, kale, and broccoli if you’re on a low-carb diet. These vegetables will keep a check on the carb intake along with supplying the required minerals and vitamins to the body.
5. Avocados:
Avocados help greatly in controlling blood sugar level and keeping a check on cholesterol level. Being rich in nutrients and minerals, avocados are known to contain a low value of Carbohydrates. So, they’re safe to consume on a keto diet.
6. Meat and poultry:
Meat and poultry are a great source of Vitamin B, Omega-3 fat, and antioxidants. Being rich in protein, they’re helpful in preserving muscle mass while you’re on a low-carb diet.
7. Olive oil:
Olive oil is considered to be a companion for your heart because it is known to contain oleic acid which lowers the risk of heart-related diseases. Being high in fat, olive oil is free from Carbohydrates and a very good option to consider on a keto diet.
8. Berries:
Unlike most fruits, berries are known to contain a minimal amount of Carbohydrates. Eating blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries can be keto-friendly.
Conclusion:
Amidst tough competition, you can rely on these foods to cater to your energy needs without having to compromise with your ketogenic diet. If you want to get more info, visit Seriously Smoked.
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It may or may not surprise you that each American eats an average of 35 pounds of cheese a year. There are lots of ways to eat cheese - with crackers, on sandwiches, deep fried, in salads- so this really isn't too high a statistic considering all the things you can do with this tasty food.
If you're one of the many people who loves cheese, you might be a little worried that it will hurt your health one day. Well, the good news is that you're probably worried for nothing - it might even have the opposite effect!
Here are seven awesome benefits of cheese that you probably didn't know about.
1. Good For Skin And Hair:
One thing that cheese is really good for is helping to keep your skin and hair healthy. Cheese is great for the skin because it contains lots of Vitamin B, which helps your skin stay healthy and glowing. It helps get rid of acne and other skin problems by helping the healthy skin cells grow.
Cheese also has protein in it. When we think of protein, we tend to think of beef or pork, but cheese is actually more healthy than these things and gives you a slimmer, healthier alternative. Cheese has calcium, too, which is great for keeping your hair healthy and shining.
2. Helps Bones and Teeth:
Cheese is also helpful in maintaining healthy bones and teeth. If you eat only one ounce of Parmesan cheese, you get 336 milligrams of calcium, which becomes even more the more cheese you eat. Other types of cheese come close, too.
This is good for your bones because normal healthy men need 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day to keep their bones in shape. So, eating just three ounces of cheese will fill all your needs for the day!
Along with phosphorous, another chemical found in cheese, calcium helps to prevent the enamel on your teeth from wearing down. In the end, this means fewer cavities and money spent on dentist visits for you.
3. Helps Maintain Healthy Weight:
People tend to hate the idea of gaining weight, but the truth is that everyone needs to have fat in their bodies to survive. Well, cheese can help you to maintain a healthy weight and have the healthy fats that you need for temperature regulation and a good immune system.
Some people are even looking to gain weight, and cheese is a good way to do it in a healthy way. It has a good amount of fat and protein, which can help to strengthen your muscles.
4. Lowers Risk Of Heart Problems:
Heart disease, the biggest killer in the US, is a terrifying idea for anyone. The good news is that eating cheese can lower your risk of getting it and maybe extend your life.
A study from 2017 actually showed that people who eat a little cheese each day have a 14% lower chance of developing heart disease. It might be a worthwhile investment!
On a related note, eating cheese also helps to lower your risk of having a heart attack. Maybe deep-fried cheeses like mozzarella sticks aren't the way to go, but cheese and crackers? Eat a little bit of those every day - you just might be saving your own life!
5. Benefits of Cheese Against Cancer:
While we're on the topic of saving your life, eating cheese also lowers your risk of developing certain cancers later in life. Cheese is rich in the antioxidants that fight cancer cells in your body. This means that they won't fester and hurt the healthy cells that your body needs.
Right now, there are more studies that are supporting the idea that eating cheese has an effect on the development and prevention of colon cancer. Who knew that something so delicious also might just help you have a longer, healthier life?
6. Lots Of Variety:
Another super cool thing about cheese is that there is a lot of variety when it comes to picking a kind you like. Like something flavorful and sophisticated? You might like an aged Gouda or cheddar. Something to spread on crackers or dip bread in? Brie or Gorgonzola might be for you!
One of the absolute best things to look into when considering your cheeses is French cheese. Everyone knows that no country does "classy" quite like France, so why not take a stab at cheese from a country known for its high-end cuisine?
From strong to smooth, you're sure to find a type of cheese that pairs well with other aspects of your diet.
7. Pairs Well With Fruit:
Though this isn't strictly a health benefit of cheese in and of itself, cheese is really good because it pairs well with fruit. Fruit is healthy because different fruits contain lots of different vitamins. Vitamins A and C, to name a couple, are really common.
Lots of people need something rich to pair with the sweetness of fruit, and that's where cheese comes in. It's perfect to contrast flavors with the sweet, tangy fruits, which might lead to you wanting to eat more of them and get those great vitamins.
Cheese Is The Best!
From this intel, you've probably gathered that your phobia that cheese is bad for you is just that: an irrational fear. If you want all these great health benefits, cheese is actually food you should be seeking out!
Now that you know all about the wonders cheese can do for your health, you might want to check out this article about variants of everyone's favorite cheesy dish - pizza!
Now count with me. Three, two, one... say cheese!
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The fact that there are at least 650 types of cheeses means that there are types that even cheese lovers have not heard of before. These cheeses can be found in different parts of the globe from the cold, temperate regions of Canada to the snow-capped mountainous rural areas of Switzerland to the warm, tropical fields in South Asia.
For those who want to know more about the lesser-known types of cheese, these are seven that you should try out soon:
Cotija :
You may not have heard of cotija cheese before but you may have already tasted it as it is a mainstay on taco and salad recipes. It is derived from cow’s milk, which is aged for three months.
Originally from Mexico, it has been compared to feta though it acquires a tangier taste and drier texture as it ages. It is used in its home country as an addition to the soup. Other cooks also mix it in with guacamole and use it to top beans and casseroles.
Emmental :
A lot of people call it “Swiss cheese” but its name is actually “Emmental.” Emmental is the type of cheese typically featured in cartoons with holes in them. Emmental is especially perfect for fondue and grilled cheese.
What is most interesting about Emmental is the process by which it is made. Cows are made to graze in the mountains of the Alps in the southern regions of Switzerland so that they can produce milk later on. The milk curds are the ones used to make Emmental by pressing them firmly together. What is the reason for the bubbles you say? These are actually bubbles of carbon dioxide that were made by bacteria that are consuming the lactic acid.
Camembert :
The camembert may be one of the most widely produced cheeses in France but it is barely known outside Europe. This is due to the fact that the aging period is only at over three weeks, making it difficult to mass transport in batches to other parts of the world.
Camembert is characterized for its mild, almost mushroom-like aroma. It is sometimes eaten as is or deep-fried. A few even do breaded camembert snacks.
Manchego :
This Spanish cheese is made from milk produced from the Manchega sheep. It has a varied color, depending on the aging period it has, which can range from ivory to yellow. Young manchego cheese can be characterized as creamy and rich though it becomes salty as it ages. It is usually served as is though it is popularly paired with the Spanish membrillo for snacks.
Feta :
Feta is unusual as cheese as it is among the few that is a combination of two types of cheese. Seventy percent of feta is made from sheep’s milk, with the remaining parts coming from goat’s milk. It mainly comes from Greece and is moist and brined. It tastes great when it is used as a spread on bread.
Monterey Jack :
This cheese is one of the few kinds of cheese that originated from the United States. It is unique in the sense that it has one of the shortest aging times – only one month. Made from cow milk, it has a mild but buttery flavor. Due to the high level of butterfat in it, it melts right away, which makes it a great way to make cheese dip. It is also sometimes used over chili and casseroles.
A thing that you may not realize about Monterey Jack is that it is usually the cheese that is mixed with hot pickled peppers to come up with Pepper Jack cheese.
Chèvre :
In France, the word “chèvre” mainly refers to any type of goat milk. In fact, the word is literally translated as “goat.”
The use of “chèvre,” however, has evolved through time as it moved to other places. Now, the aging time of chèvre has become so varied. For example, in America, chèvre is what people call fresh goat’s milk that is not aged and is served and eaten right away after it is done. French variants of chèvre, on the other hand, are described as lemony and slightly acidic.
When you see chèvre sold in markets, you will see that it comes in vacuum-sealed logs, with a few spices and herbs added.
Conclusion :
If you want to make these popular cheeses, you should have one of the best cheesemakers available in the market. In addition to having a cheesemaker, you may also need a yogurt strainer bag. So, go ahead and have all you need to make these popular cheeses and enjoy the amazing tastes and flavors of cheeses you like.
Read Also :
Foods To Eat On A Low-Carb Ketogenic Diet
The Mouthwatering Foodie Tour To Mumbai
If there is something that I have learned in life, it is about gardening. Well, almost everything if not all. And if there is one thing that took me some time to master, it was knowing how to harvest potatoes at home!
Potatoes are one of the most versatile and popular vegetables in the world. They can be cooked in many different ways, such as boiled, baked, fried, mashed, or roasted. Moreover, they are also rich in carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants.
But how do you grow and harvest your own potatoes at home? You see, potatoes are not like cilantro or other plants. These are tubers.
In this article, I will show you everything you need to know about how to harvest potatoes, from planting to storage.
So, if that is something that you are interested in knowing, then I have you covered! Keep on reading this blog till the end to learn more...
How to Plant Potato Seeds or Tubers?
The first step in how to harvest potatoes is to plant them. You can start with either potato seeds or tubers. Potato seeds are small, round, and black, and they are usually sold in packets.
Potato tubers are the actual potatoes that you eat, and they have eyes or buds that can sprout new plants.
You can buy certified seed potatoes from a nursery or garden center, or use organic potatoes from the grocery store.
Here are some if the steps that you must take to plant them:
Planting Potato Seeds
To plant potato seeds, you need to sow them indoors in pots or trays filled with moist potting soil.
Place them in a sunny spot and keep the soil moist but not soggy.
The seeds will germinate in about two weeks and produce small green shoots.
When the shoots are about 3 inches tall, you can transplant them outdoors in your garden or in containers.
Planting Potato Tubers
To plant potato tubers, you need to cut them into pieces, each with at least one eye.
You can do this a few days before planting to let the cut surfaces heal and prevent rotting. Alternatively, you can plant whole small potatoes with several eyes.
To prepare the soil, you need to loosen it and add some organic matter, such as compost or manure.
You also need to make sure the soil is well-drained and slightly acidic, with a pH of 5.0 to 6.0.
You can use a soil test kit to check the pH level and adjust it with lime or sulfur if needed.
Planting Potato Pieces
To plant the potato pieces, you need to dig a trench about 4 inches deep and 12 inches wide.
Place the pieces about 12 inches apart, with the eyes facing up.
Cover them with 3 inches of soil and water well.
As the plants grow, you need to hill up the soil around them to cover the lower stems and prevent the tubers from being exposed to sunlight, which can turn them green and bitter.
You can also mulch the soil with straw, leaves, or grass clippings to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
How to Care for Your Potato Plants?
The second step in how to harvest potatoes is to care for your potato plants. You need to water them regularly, especially during dry spells, to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. You also need to fertilize them every two weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer, such as fish emulsion or seaweed extract. Also, you can add some wood ash or bone meal to provide extra potassium and phosphorus, which are essential for tuber formation.
You also need to protect your potato plants from pests and diseases, which can reduce your yield and quality. Some of the common potato pests are:
Colorado potato beetles, which are yellow and black striped insects that feed on the leaves and can defoliate the plants. You can handpick them and drop them in a bucket of soapy water, or use an organic insecticide, such as neem oil or pyrethrin.
Potato leafhoppers, which are small, green, winged insects that suck the sap from the leaves and cause them to curl and yellow. You can spray them with a strong jet of water, or use an organic insecticide, such as garlic or hot pepper spray.
Wireworms, which are thin, brown, worm-like larvae that bore into the tubers and cause holes and tunnels. You can trap them with pieces of carrot or potato buried in the soil, or use beneficial nematodes, which are microscopic worms that parasitize and kill the wireworms.
Common Potato Diseases
One of the most common reasons why a potato cannot grow or survive is the diseases. If you were wondering what some of these can be and how to deal with them, I have you covered!
Some of the common potato diseases are:
Late Blight: It is a fungal disease that causes brown spots on the leaves and stems, and black or brown lesions on the tubers. It can spread rapidly and destroy the entire crop. You can prevent it by planting resistant varieties, avoiding overhead watering, and removing any infected plants and tubers. You can also use a fungicide, such as copper or sulfur, as a preventive measure.
Scab: This is a bacterial disease that causes rough, corky patches on the tubers. It does not affect the taste or edibility of the potatoes, but it reduces their appearance and storage quality. You can prevent it by planting resistant varieties, maintaining a slightly acidic soil pH, and avoiding excessive nitrogen fertilization.
Potato Virus Y: Lastly, this is a viral disease that causes mosaic patterns, mottling, or yellowing on the leaves, and misshapen or knobby tubers. It can reduce the yield and quality of the potatoes, and it can be transmitted by aphids or infected seed potatoes. You can prevent it by planting certified virus-free seed potatoes, controlling aphids, and removing any infected plants and tubers.
How to Determine When Your Potatoes Are Ready to Harvest?
The third step in how to harvest potatoes is to determine when they are ready to harvest. This depends on the type and variety of potatoes you planted, and the size and maturity you want.
There are two main types of potatoes: early and late.
Early potatoes are ready to harvest in about 10 to 12 weeks (about 3 months) after planting, and they produce small to medium-sized tubers that are tender and thin-skinned. They are best for boiling, steaming, or roasting.
Late potatoes are ready to harvest in about 15 to 20 weeks (about 4 and a half months) after planting, and they produce large, starchy tubers that are firm and thick-skinned. They are best for baking, mashing, or frying.
Early Harvesting
To harvest early potatoes, you can start digging them up when the plants begin to flower, or when the lower leaves start to yellow.
You can use a garden fork or a spade to gently lift the plants and tubers from the soil, or you can use your hands to feel for the tubers under the soil.
You can harvest as many or as few potatoes as you need, and leave the rest in the ground until you are ready to use them.
You can also harvest some of the young, tender leaves and stems, which are edible and nutritious.
Late Harvesting
To harvest late potatoes, you need to wait until the plants have died back completely, or until the first frost.
This allows the tubers to develop a thicker skin, which helps them store better.
You can use a garden fork or a spade to dig up the entire row of plants and tubers, or you can use a potato digger, which is a special tool that lifts and separates the tubers from the soil.
You need to be careful not to damage or bruise the tubers, as this can cause rotting or spoilage.
How to Dig Up, Cure, and Store Your Potatoes?
The final step in how to harvest potatoes is to dig up, cure, and store your potatoes. This is important to preserve the quality and shelf life of your potatoes, and to prevent them from sprouting, rotting, or shrinking. Here are the steps to follow:
Digging Up
After digging up your potatoes, you need to brush off any excess soil and remove any damaged, diseased, or green tubers.
Do not wash your potatoes, as this can remove the protective skin and invite bacteria and fungi. You can wash them just before cooking or eating them.
Curing
You need to cure your potatoes for about two weeks in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place, such as a basement, garage, or shed.
This allows the skin to harden and heal any minor cuts or bruises and enhances the flavor and texture of the potatoes.
The ideal temperature for curing is between 50°F and 60°F, and the ideal humidity is between 80% and 90%.
You can spread your potatoes in a single layer on a newspaper, cardboard, or wooden crate, and avoid exposing them to light, which can turn them green and bitter.
Storing
You need to store your potatoes in a cool, dark, and dry place, such as a cellar, pantry, or closet. The ideal temperature for storage is between 40°F and 50°F, and the ideal humidity is between 65% and 70%.
You can store your potatoes in paper bags, cardboard boxes, mesh bags, or wooden crates, and check them regularly for any signs of sprouting, rotting, or shriveling.
You can also store your potatoes in a root cellar, which is an underground or partially underground structure that maintains a constant temperature and humidity.
Additionally, you can also store your potatoes in a clamp, which is a mound of straw, hay, or leaves covered with soil, that insulates and protects the potatoes from frost and rodents.
Wrapping It Up!
If you want to know about how to harvest potatoes, I hope that this blog has been of help to you. However, if there are any other queries related to the same, please feel free to let me know.
All that you need to do is scroll down till you reach the bottom of the page. Then leave your comments and suggestions in the box below. And I will be there to answer them all for you!
Read Also:
How to Harvest Lettuce: A Step-by-Step Guide for Fresh and Crispy Salads
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