The keto diet has gained popularity worldwide for its weight loss and health benefits. However, for Filipinos who love their traditional dishes, following a low-carb ketogenic diet may seem difficult. But fear not! With a little creativity and ingredient substitutions, you can enjoy delicious and authentic Pinoy keto recipes that are both healthy and satisfying.

Before we dive into the recipes, it’s important to familiarize ourselves with the low-carb foods commonly found in the Philippines. These include fats like olive oil and coconut oil, proteins like chicken and fish, dairy and plant milk like coconut milk and cheese, nuts and seeds like peanuts and almonds, and lower-carb fruits like berries. There is also a wide variety of low-carb Filipino vegetables that can be included in keto dishes. It’s essential to avoid high-carb Filipino staples such as rice, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. By keeping these basics in mind, we can begin modifying traditional Filipino recipes to make them keto-friendly.

So, let’s explore some easy keto recipes that will allow you to indulge in the flavors of authentic Pinoy cuisine while staying on track with your low-carb lifestyle!

Key Takeaways:

  • Adapting Filipino recipes to a keto lifestyle is possible with a bit of creativity and research.
  • Low-carb foods commonly found in the Philippines include fats, proteins, dairy and plant milk, nuts and seeds, and lower-carb fruits.
  • There is a wide variety of low-carb Filipino vegetables that can be included in keto dishes.
  • It’s important to avoid high-carb Filipino foods such as rice, potatoes, and sweet potatoes.
  • By making ingredient substitutions and following basic ketogenic cooking tips, you can make traditional Filipino dishes suitable for a keto diet.

Low-Carb Filipino Food List

Looking for keto-friendly foods in the Philippines? In Filipino cuisine, there are plenty of low-carb options that can be incorporated into your ketogenic diet. Here is a comprehensive low-carb Filipino food list to help you make delicious and healthy choices.

Proteins

  • Chicken
  • Fish
  • Pork

Fats

  • Olive oil
  • Coconut oil

Dairy and Plant Milk

  • Coconut milk
  • Cheese

Nuts and Seeds

  • Peanuts
  • Almonds

Lower Carb Fruits

  • Berries

Drinks

  • Coffee
  • Tea

Spices

  • Without sugar

Low-Carb Filipino Vegetables

When it comes to keto-friendly vegetables in Filipino cuisine, there is a wide variety to choose from:

Vegetables Carbohydrate Content (g per 100g)
Bitter Melon 3.7
Eggplant 5.7
Bottle Gourd 2.0
Chayote 3.0
Long Beans 5.6
Moringa 3.2
Okra 4.3
Bok Choy 1.2
Water Spinach 1.7
Mushrooms 3.3
Leafy Greens 1.7
Cabbage 5.8
Broccoli 7.2
Cauliflower 5.2
Garlic 33.1
Ginger 11.7
Onion 8.7
Zucchini 3.1

Make sure to check the keto-friendly foods list to determine if a certain food is low in carbohydrates. Incorporating these low-carb Filipino foods into your diet will allow you to enjoy the flavors of authentic Pinoy cuisine while staying on track with your ketogenic lifestyle.

Common High-Carb Filipino Foods to Avoid on Keto

While there are many delicious low-carb options in Filipino cuisine, it’s important to be aware of high-carb foods that should be avoided when following a keto diet. These high-carb foods can hinder your progress and make it difficult to achieve and maintain ketosis. Here are some common high-carb Filipino foods that you should steer clear of:

  • **Rice**: Filipinos love their rice, but it’s one of the highest-carb foods and should be strictly avoided on a keto diet.
  • **Banana**: This tropical fruit is sweet and delicious, but it’s loaded with carbs and sugar, making it unsuitable for keto.
  • **Oats**: Although oats are a common breakfast option, they are high in carbohydrates and not keto-friendly.
  • **Chickpeas and Lentils**: While legumes are a good source of protein, they are also high in carbs and should be avoided on keto.
  • **Potato and Sweet Potato**: These starchy tubers are packed with carbs and should be excluded from your keto meal plan.
  • **Fruit Juice**: Although fruit juice may seem healthy, it is concentrated in sugar and carbs, affecting ketosis levels.
  • **Dates**: While dates are a natural sweetener, they are high in sugar and carbs and should be limited or avoided on a keto diet.
  • **Corn**: Corn is a popular ingredient in Filipino dishes, but it’s high in carbohydrates and should be avoided on keto.

To stay in ketosis and maximize the benefits of a keto diet, it’s important to avoid these high-carb Filipino foods. By making mindful choices and opting for keto-friendly alternatives, such as cauliflower rice instead of regular rice, you can create delicious Filipino keto meals that support your health and weight loss goals.

Ditch the High-Carb Foods, Embrace the Low-Carb Delights

Basic Ketogenic Cooking Tips

In order to make Filipino recipes suitable for a keto diet, there are several ingredient substitutions that can be made. These simple cooking tips can help reduce carbohydrate intake and transform traditional Filipino dishes into keto-friendly options.

“To make Filipino recipes keto-friendly, there are some ingredient substitutions that can be made.”

Replacing Rice with Cauliflower or Broccoli Rice

Rice is a staple in many Filipino dishes, but it is high in carbohydrates. Fortunately, there are low-carb alternatives that can be used to replace rice without compromising taste or texture. Cauliflower rice and broccoli rice are excellent substitutes that provide a similar appearance and mouthfeel. They can be easily prepared by grating or processing cauliflower or broccoli into small rice-like pieces.

ketogenic cooking tips

Using Low-Carb Milk Alternatives

Milk is another ingredient commonly used in Filipino cooking. However, regular milk contains lactose, which is a form of sugar that can increase carbohydrate content. To make recipes keto-friendly, consider using low-carb milk alternatives such as coconut milk or almond milk. These options are lower in carbohydrates and can provide a creamy texture and flavor to dishes.

Replacing Sugar with Low-Carb Sweeteners

Sugar is often used to add sweetness to Filipino desserts and some savory dishes. However, it is high in carbohydrates and can hinder ketosis. A great alternative is to use low-carb sweeteners like erythritol. These sweeteners provide a similar taste without the added carbohydrates, making them an ideal choice for keto-friendly recipes.

By implementing these basic ketogenic cooking tips, it becomes easier to modify Filipino recipes to fit a keto lifestyle. Replacing rice with cauliflower or broccoli rice, using low-carb milk alternatives, and substituting sugar with low-carb sweeteners are simple yet effective ways to reduce carbohydrate intake and enjoy delicious keto-friendly Filipino dishes.

Easy Filipino Keto Recipes

Are you craving for Filipino flavors while following a low-carb keto diet? Look no further because we have gathered some easy Filipino keto recipes that will satisfy your taste buds without compromising your dietary goals. From bread to main dishes and even dessert, these keto-friendly recipes will let you enjoy the flavors of the Philippines guilt-free.

Keto Pandesal

Start your day with a keto version of the beloved Filipino bread roll, pandesal. Made with almond flour and coconut flour, this low-carb pandesal recipe will give you that soft and fluffy texture while keeping your carbs in check. Enjoy it with your favorite keto-friendly spread or dip.

Keto Pancit Canton

Craving for some classic Filipino noodles? Try this keto pancit canton recipe. Instead of traditional wheat-based noodles, it uses shirataki noodles, which are low in carbs. Combined with flavorful vegetables and protein, and seasoned with coconut aminos, this dish will surely satisfy your pancit cravings.

Keto Sinangag

Sinangag, or garlic fried rice, is a staple in Filipino breakfasts. But on a keto diet, rice is a no-go. Luckily, you can still enjoy the garlicky goodness of sinangag by replacing rice with cauliflower or broccoli rice. Add plenty of vegetables and your choice of protein to make it a filling and nutritious meal.

Keto Chicken Adobo

Chicken adobo is a classic Filipino dish known for its flavorful soy sauce and vinegar marinade. To make it keto-friendly, use sugar substitutes like cooking sucralose or erythritol instead of traditional sweeteners. With the same tangy and savory taste, this keto chicken adobo recipe will be a hit on your dining table.

Keto Filipino Breakfast

Looking for more keto-friendly breakfast options? Try these Filipino-inspired dishes. Tortang giniling, a ground beef omelet, is a protein-packed breakfast staple. Pair it with Filipino scrambled eggs and tosilog, which combines tocino (sweet cured pork), garlic rice (use cauliflower or broccoli rice), and sunny-side-up eggs. These recipes will keep you satisfied all morning long.

Keto Filipino Dessert Recipes

End your meal on a sweet note with these heavenly keto Filipino desserts. Maja blanca, a coconut pudding, can be made keto-friendly by using coconut milk and sugar substitutes. Sansrival, a Filipino layer cake, can be modified with almond flour and allulose. And for the ube lovers, keto ube bars made with low-carb ingredients like almond flour and sugar substitutes are the perfect indulgence.

Easy Filipino Keto Recipes

Now you can enjoy the flavors of the Philippines while staying committed to your keto lifestyle. These easy Filipino keto recipes will bring joy to your taste buds without derailing your low-carb journey. Try them out and let the deliciousness begin!

Instant Pot and Other Cooking Methods for Filipino Chicken Adobo

Filipino chicken adobo is a popular and flavorful dish that can be cooked using various methods. The traditional stovetop method involves marinating chicken thighs in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and bay leaves, then searing the chicken and simmering it in the marinade until tender. However, chicken adobo can also be made in an Instant Pot, slow cooker, or oven. These cooking methods offer convenience and allow for easy meal preparation.

If you prefer a hands-off approach, using an Instant Pot or slow cooker to make chicken adobo is a great option. These kitchen appliances not only save time but also help infuse the flavors into the chicken, resulting in tender and succulent meat. Simply follow your appliance’s instructions for cooking times and settings.

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo Recipe

  1. Marinate the chicken thighs in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and bay leaves.
  2. Place the marinated chicken and the marinade in the Instant Pot.
  3. Cook on high pressure for about 12 minutes.
  4. Allow for natural release for about 5 minutes, then quick release the remaining pressure.
  5. Remove the chicken from the Instant Pot and sear it in a hot skillet to achieve a crispy exterior.
  6. Optional: Reduce the remaining liquid in the Instant Pot to create a thick and flavorful sauce.
  7. Serve the chicken adobo with steamed rice or cauliflower rice.

If you prefer oven-roasted chicken adobo, you can achieve a slightly different flavor profile and texture. Here’s a simple recipe:

Oven-Roasted Chicken Adobo Recipe

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Marinate the chicken thighs in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and bay leaves.
  3. Place the marinated chicken and the marinade in a baking dish.
  4. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
  5. Bake for about 45 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes to allow the chicken to brown and crisp up.
  6. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
  7. Serve the chicken adobo with steamed rice or cauliflower rice.

Experimenting with different cooking methods allows you to enjoy chicken adobo with varying textures and flavors. Whether you choose the traditional stovetop method, the hands-off approach of the Instant Pot or slow cooker, or the savory oven-roasting technique, the result will be a delicious and satisfying Filipino chicken adobo.

Conclusion

Pinoy keto recipes offer a delightful solution for those who want to savor the flavors of traditional Filipino cuisine while staying committed to a low-carb ketogenic diet. By cleverly incorporating low-carb ingredients and making simple substitutions, you can effortlessly create delicious and wholesome keto-friendly versions of your favorite Filipino dishes.

The wide range of easy Filipino keto recipes available ensures that you can enjoy a diverse and satisfying meal plan that caters to both individuals and families. Whether you’re craving the comforting taste of chicken adobo or the fluffy goodness of pandesal, there are keto alternatives that will keep you on track with your health goals.

With the right ingredients and cooking methods, anyone can embark on a flavorful journey through the authentic flavors of Pinoy cuisine while maintaining a healthy and low-carb lifestyle. So why sacrifice taste and tradition when you can have it all with Pinoy keto recipes?

FAQ

What are some low-carb foods commonly found in the Philippines?

Low-carb foods commonly found in the Philippines include fats like olive oil and coconut oil, proteins like chicken and fish, dairy and plant milk like coconut milk and cheese, nuts and seeds like peanuts and almonds, and lower carb fruits like berries. Additionally, there is a list of low-carb Filipino vegetables that can be included in keto dishes.

What high-carb Filipino foods should I avoid on a keto diet?

High-carb Filipino foods that should be avoided on a keto diet include banana, rice, oats, chickpeas, lentils, potato, sweet potato, fruit juice, dates, and corn. These foods are high in carbohydrates and can affect ketosis levels.

How can I modify traditional Filipino recipes to make them keto-friendly?

To make Filipino recipes keto-friendly, you can make ingredient substitutions such as replacing rice with cauliflower or broccoli rice, milk with low-carb options like coconut milk or almond milk, and sugar with low-carb sweeteners like erythritol. These cooking tips help to reduce carb intake and make traditional Filipino dishes suitable for a keto diet.

What are some easy Filipino keto recipes I can try?

Some easy Filipino keto recipes to try include keto pandesal (low-carb bread rolls), keto pancit canton (substituting regular noodles with shirataki noodles and using coconut aminos), keto sinangag (replacing rice with cauliflower or broccoli rice), keto chicken adobo (using sugar substitutes like cooking sucralose or erythritol), and various keto Filipino breakfast and dessert recipes.

What are some cooking methods for Filipino chicken adobo?

Filipino chicken adobo can be cooked using various methods such as traditional stovetop method, Instant Pot, slow cooker, or oven. These cooking methods offer convenience and allow for easy meal preparation.

What is the summary of Pinoy keto recipes?

Pinoy keto recipes provide a way to enjoy traditional Filipino cuisine while following a low-carb ketogenic diet. By incorporating low-carb ingredients and making simple substitutions, it is possible to create delicious and healthy keto-friendly versions of Filipino dishes.

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