If you're a fan of Italian food but are following a low-carb high-fat diet (LCHF), you may find that the abundance of pasta and bread won't fit into your macronutrient limits. The low-carb high-fat diet, also known as the keto diet, is a bit of a craze right now as many people experience rapid weight loss with it. The LCHF diet aims to drop glycogen levels in the body enough so that the body becomes more efficient at burning fat for fuel, but it's a diet that you must be consistent with because it is only effective if you can stick to it. Italian food like pasta and pizza is synonymous with comfort food, and if you want to give LCHF a go over a prolonged period, then you need to know which dishes are going to be supportive of your diet when you eat out at an Italian restaurant. Understanding what you can eat when you're at an Italian restaurant will help you be successful with your diet.

The Famous Meatball

Red meat is a fantastic choice for an LCHF dieter. It's a staple among many Italian dishes and provides a fantastic balance of fat and protein with minimal carbs. The meatball is often accompanied by pasta and tomato sauce which is loaded with carbohydrates, but restaurants will often provide an alternative option. With many establishments accommodating various diets, the ability to choose zucchini noodles, salad or a cheese sauce is often available. If you are wanting a meatball LCHF option, then this is great, as the zucchini or salad provide minimal carbs, some fibre to help keep you full and vitamins and minerals for overall health, whilst the fat from the cheese and meat will be used for energy.

Pizza Pizza

Pizza will always be hard to replace, and it will be difficult to eat out at a good pizzeria and enjoy something low-carb. However, for those days where the cravings become too much, you can always opt for a homemade pizza with a crust made from egg, mozzarella and cauliflower. There are some great recipes online, and they create something unique that really helps minimise the carbs. The mozzarella provides binding, calcium and vitamin b12 which is great for energy, whilst the egg and cauliflower form a crisp base. Some famous Italian pizzerias even have their own pizza sauce and toppings, so providing there is no added sugar, then a restaurant alternative pizza may be open to you.