The ketogenic diet is a very successful weight loss program. It utilizes a high-fat and low-carb component to burn fat instead of glucose. Many people are familiar with the Atkins diet, but the ketogenic program is even more restrictive in terms of carbohydrates.

Because we're surrounded by fast-food restaurants and processed foods, avoiding high-carb foods can be a challenge, but a proper program will help.

Plan menus and snacks at least a week in advance so you're not just choosing high-carb foods. Graduate ketogenic recipes online; there are quite a few good choices. Immerse yourself in the ketogenic lifestyle, find your favorite recipes and stick to them.

Here are a few key foods for a ketogenic diet. Be sure to have the following on hand:

Eggs - for omelets, quiche (yes, it's legal to go ketogenic with extra cream!) , cooked snacks, low-carb pizza crusts, etc.; if you like eggs, you have a good chance of succeeding on this diet

Bacon - Do I need a reason? Breakfast, salad sides, burger toppings, BLTs (excluding bread, of course; put BLTs in a bowl and toss with mayo)

Cream Cheese - dozens of recipes, pizza crusts, entrees, desserts

Cheddar Cheese. Sprinkle over taco meat in a bowl, bake in the microwave for nachos, salsas, low-carb pizzas and tacos

Lots of romaine lettuce and spinach - Fill up on greens; have enough on hand to make a quick salad when hunger strikes?

EZ- Sweetz Liquid Sweetener- Use a few drops instead of sugar; this artificial sweetener is the most natural and easy to use I've found

You can eat this low-carb veggie on its own, tossed in olive oil and roasted, mashed in fake potatoes, chopped or minced, used in place of rice in entrees, in low-carb and ketogenic pizza crusts, etc.

Frozen Chicken Tenders-. Prepare a large bag; thaw quickly, grill, saute, mix with veggies and garlic sauce in a large low carb patty, use in grilled chicken, chicken alfredo, tacos, tacos, Indian butter chicken, and more

Ground Beef- Make a large burger and top it with a variety of things, from cheese to sautéed mushrooms, to grilled onions ...... Or crumble it up and cook it in taco seasoning and use it in provolone cheese tacos; add lettuce, avocado, cheese, and sour cream for a tortilla-less taco salad

Almonds (plain or seasoned) - -These are both delicious and healthy snacks; however, be sure to count them as you eat them because the carbs will accumulate. Flavors include habanero peppers, coconut, salt and vinegar.

The ketogenic weight loss program is a varied and fun way to lose weight, with lots of delicious foods to choose from. Store these 10 foods in your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry so you'll always have some delicious ketogenic meals and snacks on hand.

The ketogenic diet is a healthy option for anyone trying to lose weight. Visit the Healthy Ketogenic website, a valuable resource where ketogenic dieters can get diet ideas and ketogenic diet facts.