The Best Seafood to Eat on a Keto Diet

Seafood is an excellent source of protein and can be highly effective when incorporated into a keto diet. 

What is a Keto Diet? 

Keto is short for ketogenic and is a very low carbohydrate diet. It’s similar to the Atkins diet but has more restrictions in order to keep you in a stage of ‘ketosis.’ Ketosis refers to a metabolic state during which your body burns fat. A ketogenic diet should consist of about 60–80% fat, as carbs are replaced by fat. This diet focuses on high-fat and low-carb foods like eggs, meat, and dairy. 

Why Opt for Seafood? 

Many people ramp up their meat intake as part of the keto diet in order to get plenty of high-fat protein. However, seafood is an excellent yet often-overlooked key ingredient in a balanced keto diet. 

A keto diet is quite restrictive, and the limits on what you can eat are often the reason people struggle to stick to the plan. Incorporating seafood opens up so many more options to help you stay on track, as including fish and seafood gives much more flexibility with the meals available to you.

Seafood is not only an excellent source of protein, but it’s super tasty too! 

Also See

Classic Shrimp Cocktail Recipe: Easy Seafood Appetizer

Inspired by countless restaurant visits where my husband’s love for shrimp cocktail always stole the show (even though I’m allergic!), I’ve perfected this simple yet elegant recipe at home. Using fresh ingredients and a homemade cocktail sauce, it captures the essence of that irresistible appetizer.

This recipe is surprisingly easy to make, ideal for both intimate dinners and bustling parties. The vibrant flavors of perfectly cooked shrimp paired with our zesty cocktail sauce are sure to be a crowd-pleaser and add a touch of sophistication to any occasion.

Get ready to impress your guests with this restaurant-quality shrimp cocktail, made effortlessly in your own kitchen!

View Recipe

~ 20kcal

Seafood Recipe Suggestions

Shellfish is an extremely versatile ingredient. Here are some of our favorite ways to utilize seafood in your keto diet.

Swap Bone Broth for Seafood Broth

Bone broth is a very popular meal on the keto diet, and seafood broth is a great alternative. 

Seafood broth is low-carb and protein-rich and is also packed full of flavor. Spiced seafood broth is a super tasty dish, and you can also add coconut milk for a creamy texture whilst maintaining the high-fat content desired. 

Shellfish like mussels and clams are very quick to cook, so you can throw a handful of shellfish in your broth right in the last 10 minutes. Seafood broth is actually an excellent way to use up your seafood scraps like shrimp tails and mollusk shells. 

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Add Shrimp for Texture and Flavor

Shrimp is naturally high in Omega 3 fats and packed full of protein. Shrimp is highly versatile and a great base for different dressings and sauces. Shrimp is also delicious when paired with scallops, another high-protein seafood option. Try shrimp and scallop skewers with your favorite keto-friendly dip for a moreish snack. 

Is Battered Better?

Many people wrongly believe you can’t have fried fish on a keto diet. While fried fish in restaurants is generally too high in carbs to align with keto restrictions, homemade batters are typically fine. This means battered calamari rings are an excellent seafood snack that you can still enjoy.

Opt for almond flour and coconut milk batters, and make sure you’re using keto-friendly oils to fry. The best cooking oils on a keto-friendly diet are olive oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil. 

Seafood for Meat Lovers

Octopus is a great seafood choice if you’re looking for a firm, meaty texture. Many people that don’t love an overly fishy flavor will love the subtle taste of octopus. It’s also great for barbecuing because it holds its shape well during the grilling process. 

Surf and Turf

Pairing your seafood with a meat ingredient helps increase the fat content of your dish and makes it extra delicious! Try pairing shrimp with pancetta for a delicious pasta dish. You can also enjoy bacon-wrapped scallops and chorizo-topped squid for a perfect keto combination. 

Choose Frozen Seafood

Frozen seafood is ideal for a keto diet, thanks to how convenient it is. You can easily grab a handful of shellfish from the freezer for a quick seafood dish.

Also Read:

• Reasons Why Seafood Should Be On Your Family Table
• What Is Japanese Sushi? A Low Calorie Street Food From Japan And Its Types
• 4 Types Of Fish To Eat For An Easy Weight Loss Journey