Beginning any new weight loss plan isn’t easy, and the ketogenic diet — a trendy low-carbohydrate, high-fat plan that has been known to produce quick, short-term results — is no exception. One of the biggest hurdles of going keto is putting and keeping your body in ketosis. Ketosis is a natural metabolic state in which your body burns fat instead of carbs for fuel because there aren't enough carbs. So, naturally, to achieve ketosis, you’ll have to say goodbye to most carbs and hello to healthy fat — lots of it.

It depends on which version of keto you’re doing, but generally, you’ll aim to get 5 to 10 percent of your total calories from carbs on the diet. The goal is to consume only 20 to 50 grams (g) of net carbs per day. To give you an idea of how few carbs that really is, consider that a ½ cup of long-grain brown rice contains 24 g of total carbs (and about 23 g net carbs), according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Net carbs is an unofficial term for the amount of total carbs minus fiber and sugar alcohols, per the website of the Atkins diet, another low-carb plan.

For most people, going that low isn't easy: The typical American adult gets nearly 50 percent of their calories from carbs, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For example, on a 1,400-calorie diet, this would be equivalent to about 175 g of carbs daily. That may not necessarily be healthy, especially if those carbs are coming from ultra-processed foods like chips, crackers, sweets, sugary beverages, and the like.

The keto diet replaces calories from carbs with calories from a moderate amount of protein and a lot of fat, preferably from healthy high-fat foods like fatty fish, avocado, olive oil, nuts, and eggs, although butter, bacon, and cheese are also permitted on the diet. The goal is to get about 70 to 80 percent of your daily calories from fats overall.

That’s just part of the struggle when following keto. You’ll likely also see various side effects, especially in the first few weeks, such as headaches, fatigue, and drowsiness — all signs of what is sometimes called the keto flu.

To overcome challenges like these, it’s apparent that what a keto dieter really needs is resourceful information and tons of encouragement. “One reason why the keto diet has continued to be popular is that it fosters a sense of community,” says Melissa Mitri, RD, the owner of Melissa Mitri Nutrition in Monroe, Connecticut.

Keto blogs can help you feel supported on the diet, which you'll need especially at the beginning, since it can be restrictive and for most people involves a totally new approach to eating. One thing to keep in mind, says Mitri, is that the authors of these blogs are not medical or nutrition experts but are speaking from their own experience. “Remember that everyone is different and there is no one diet that works for everyone,” she says.

Research has been mixed on the low-carb, high-fat plan. A low-calorie version of keto helped overweight and obese adults lose an average of 22 pounds in four weeks or less, according to a review published in November 2019. But medical experts cautioned that the diet isn’t a slam-dunk fix for obesity or type 2 diabetes — and that more research is needed to examine the long-term health implications, according to an article published in JAMA Internal Medicine in July 2019. A different review published the same year found that the keto diet isn’t necessarily better than other kinds of diets for weight loss or managing type 2 diabetes. Because the keto diet limits or eliminates foods known to be healthy and heart protective (for example, beans, whole grains, and most fruits) and encourages those that can increase cardiovascular risks (red meat, for one), the authors of the second review recommend that people work closely with their healthcare team when following keto.

If you do decide to give keto a try, staying well-informed about the diet and its pros and cons can help you proceed safely and get the most out of the diet. The following blogs below are good resources that can help when you’re struggling with exercise motivation or diet logistics, or are looking for out-of-the-box keto recipes.

1. Keto Connect

Brought to you by the keto couple Megha and Matt and their family, Keto Connect is the perfect hub for fascinating recipes, gorgeous photographs, and incredible how-to videos from their YouTube channel. Looking for a carb-free pizza crust or "the best keto bread on the internet"? This blog has you covered. But maybe the best thing about Keto Connect is that it’s all about that budget. The $5 a Day Keto Meal Plan includes helpful videos and infographics that will keep your wallet and your waistline in check.

2. Cast Iron Keto

Built to help you “rule” the keto diet, Ruled.Me may just be the perfect tool for an all-around keto education. Its comprehensive keto guide covers several FAQs, and there’s nothing about this site that isn’t thorough — including its abundant resources section. On the site, you'll find recipes ranging from full entrées and sides to condiments, plus a built-in keto calculator that can be calibrated to your preferences for easy food documenting. Its recommended products section is broken down into five parts: kitchen, cooking, specialty food brands, supplements, and exercise. These resources in addition to Ruled.Me’s success stories feed will keep you moving, motivated, and inspired.

4. I Breathe I’m Hungry

Mellissa Sevigny, a culinary wizard and the author of The Gluten Free Low Carber, started I Breathe I’m Hungry in the summer of 2011 to stay in touch with family and force herself to document her recipes. After all, what’s the point of making a delicious dish if you can’t replicate it at your next party? But when she started posting about low-carb diets in January to target New Year’s resolution dieters, she found that many dieters struggle with the same problem she herself had with previous diets: boredom! Since then, Sevigny has funneled her energy into creating original keto, paleo, and traditional low-carb dishes, like her amazing Asparagus, Leek, and Pancetta Tart or Cajun Salmon Patties With Cilantro Lime Dressing. Side note: Like her recipes, her writing has tons of fire!

5. KetoGasm

KetoGasm is run by one very intuitive woman named Tasha, and offers a completely free keto course for when you get bored or frustrated researching the diet on your own. For the advanced ketoer who refuses to brainstorm one more carbless recipe, check out Tasha’s innovative dishes, like her Keto Egg Roll in a Bowl — or even her complete meal plans! On her blog you'll find answers to your most burning keto questions, like whether popcorn is low-carb compliant. And unlike many other keto blogs, KetoGasm actually offers a guide devoted to keto-friendly alcohols, as well as plenty of low-carb cocktails.

6. Keto in Pearls

Anna the Southern sweetheart may have taken her personal diet in a new direction after having her fourth child, but the Keto in Pearls Instagram is still active and worth a follow (@keto_in_pearls), and her website, Keto in Pearls, is a treasure trove of all the “kid-tested and family-approved” recipes that made her famous in the keto community. Her love of comfort food comes out in many of her unique dishes, like Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad With Bacon and Brown Sugar. If you’re not in the mood for Southern flavor, her blog has sections devoted to Mexican, Asian, and Italian cuisine.

7. Meat Free Keto

This is a blog dedicated to the particular breed of keto dieters who also qualify as vegans. If you didn’t know that existed, get ready for Meat Free Keto to be your go-to for all things plant-based and low carb. The niche blog was founded by Liz, a holistic nutrition consultant who loves baking. Liz’s site sets you up with all the essentials to get you started: delicious recipes for every meal (including a whole section on homemade protein bars), plenty of suggestions for vegan keto cooking staples, and even a vegan keto shopping list. And like any nutrition blogger, Liz knows how hard it is to make lifestyle changes, so she's posted four-week vegan keto meal plans easy enough for any beginner to follow. If you can't get enough plant-based keto, check out her cookbook, Vegan Keto.

8. Little Pine Kitchen

Dedicated to low-carb living, Little Pine Kitchen provides plenty of keto-friendly recipes. Check out Lindsey's free e-book to get started, and then try your hand at the absolutely delicious dishes she’s constantly adding to Little Pine Kitchen's roster. Make Lemon Pepper Wings, Cauliflower Mac and Cheese, or one of the many desserts (Keto Peanut Butter Balls, anyone?). Membership is free and allows you to save your favorite recipes in one place. Dinner just got easier.

9. Ditch the Carbs

Do you think the keto diet sounds great but are still wondering, Well, why do I need to cut out carbs, anyway? This is the site for you. While Ditch the Carbs isn’t specifically targeted to keto dieters, it answers every nutrition question you might have when starting a low-carb diet and provides related resources, such as what books can help you meet your goals. In its “How to Start” section, you’ll find excellent starter tools, like cooking conversion charts and advice on how to read nutrition labels to find the foods that work for your diet. The articles shed light on daily keto life questions, including what low-carb snacks you can find at the airport. On top of its countless resources (which of course also include recipes), the site provides easy-to-follow video cooking demonstrations. And if you want to immerse yourself in the lifestyle, founder Libby Jenkinson hosted a Low-Carb Living Summit for women over 40 in 2023.

10. Healthful Pursuit

Healthful Pursuit is not your typical blog, and its top-ranking keto diet podcast, run by keto expert extraordinaire Leanne Vogel, is one reason why. As a leading advocate for the diet and a weight loss achiever with an incredible story, Vogel is a keto star that you’ll obsess over — if you don’t already. The keto mogul and bestselling author of several books, including The Keto Diet Cookbook, fills her podcast sessions with interviews with keto veterans and influencers to discuss the ups and downs of the diet process. With more than 200 keto recipes on the site, plus step-by-step meal plan options and tons of videos as well as suggested products, her blog aims to provide you with everything you need to get started with your low-carb lifestyle. As she says, it’s all about “taking the guesswork out of your diet.”

11. Keto Karma

If you’re on keto to lose a significant amount of weight, Suzanne Ryan, the creator of Keto Karma, understands what you’re going through. She lost 120 pounds through the keto diet. Her blog is a one-stop shop for beginning your journey, with a keto calculator to determine your macros, a list of her favorite resources (like ketone testing kits) and grocery finds (from cooking oils and sweeteners to boxed baking mixes), and a ton of recipes in every category. To round it out, her books, like Beyond Simply Keto, put it all together as the ultimate guide for losing weight the keto way.

11 Keto Diet Blogs to Watch in 2023