If you’re already following (or hoping to follow) the keto diet, then Los Angeles is the perfect place for you. With an increasing number of restaurants acknowledging different health and nutritional preferences, more keto products on the market than ever, and easy options for meal-delivery services, the City of Angels has everything you could ask for.
If you’re unfamiliar with the keto diet, it essentially follows the notion that by eating very low-carb, high-fat foods, we can put our bodies into a metabolic state called ketosis, during which the body becomes more efficient at burning fat vs carbs for energy. For a detailed take on the science behind, history, and purpose of the keto diet, check this out.
8 Places in LA to check out while Keto-ing
One of the biggest things that sets LA apart from other cities is the HUSTLE. Whether you’re in your car commuting for three hours a day or running from meeting to meeting, car culture is big here and so is making your dreams happen at all hours of every day. For this reason, it might feel tricky to stick to keto (especially with the endless fast food chains here), but it’s totally doable. It just requires a bit of forethought.
If you lead a busy life (aka everyone), the best thing you can do to ensure you’re staying in ketosis, is having the food you need on hand and ready. Keep this list handy …
In N Out
No matter where you are in LA – visiting Griffith Park in Los Feliz, hiking Runyon Canyon like the true Angeleno you are, strolling down Rodeo for some lux shopping, or stopping by Universal Studios in the valley, you can always find an In N Out nearby. This California classic cannot and should not be missed, and luckily it’s keto-friendly as long as you order your burger protein-style (aka wrapped in lettuce). You’ll still get that fast-food fix without throwing your body out of ketosis.
The Boiling Crab
Must go if seafood is your thing.
Territory
If you don’t have the time to tackle a crowded city grocery store on a weekend, order from a meal delivery service like Territory.
They offer 5 meals per week on their Keto Reset menu that are low in carbs, high in fats, and include plenty of non-starchy vegetables to ensure the keto community meets their micronutrient needs. These meals also remain free of gluten and dairy-containing ingredients. Territory keto meals hover around 70% fat, 20% or less protein, and 10% carbs, with an upper limit of 15g net carbs.
Their meals are made fresh by local LA chefs with sustainably sourced ingredients, and can be delivered every Monday and Thursday morning. That means that you can easily wake up on a Monday morning, even if you’ve hit the snooze button a couple of times, grab your Territory breakfast and/or lunch, run out the door, and still know that you’ll be set for the day nutrition-wise.
Some keto Territory favorites? The Spinach Salad with Buffalo Chicken and Cumin Dressing, Chinese Chicken Salad with Sesame Dressing and Bacon & Keto Breakfast Sausage Patties w/ Sauteed Veggies & Aioli.
Bulletproof Coffee
If you find yourself on the west side after a beach day, don’t skip out on Bulletproof Coffee in Santa Monica (they have a Downtown location, too!). Their Vanilla Bulletproof Coffee is a favorite and they have some pretty incredible meals to eat on-site or take with you on the go.
Chengdu Taste
For those of you on the (way) east side, try Chengdu Taste for traditional Szechuan food. Heads up it’s super spicy, but so delicious and definitely keto-friendly.
Five Guys or Shake Shack
Classic burger joints, just ditch the bun and skip the fries.
Jimmy John's
A quick and budget-friendly option. They now offer Unwiches, or sandwiches wrapped in lettuce.
Snack Attack
Since sitting in traffic brings on the hangry, we recommend stocking up on beef jerky, seaweed snacks and some nuts. They’re tasty, don’t need to be kept in a fridge, and are perfect for taking on the go. If you’re at the office or working from home – avocados (yep, just scooped out with a spoon), string cheese and hard-boiled eggs are a must. Dark chocolate (like, 95% cacao dark) is also great to keep on hand if you have a sweet tooth.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to follow the keto diet with a busy LA lifestyle, know it’s totally doable. Arm yourself with the right knowledge, some groceries, a few pre-prepped meals, some fatty keto snacks, and you’re set to jet.
Let us know if we left out any of your favorites, and if there are other keto meals you’d like to see on the menu at Territory.
About the Author
Jordan is a NY transplant living in Los Angeles, an entrepreneur, social media consultant, and healthy living blogger. She’s also a former professional dancer and is passionate about making fitness and wellness accessible to all people, even those on a budget. Find her at dancingfordonuts.com or @dancing.for.donuts on Instagram.
