10 Keto Dinner Party Tips Tricks & Ideas: How to Stay in Ketosis at Dinner Parties 

While dinner parties present ample opportunity to celebrate, kick back, and relax, they also prompt diets to crash and burn by the millions – especially keto diets.

Thanks to a smorgasbord of sweets and carb-loaded dishes that can make even the most die-hard keto advocate’s mouth water, staying in a state of ketosis is no small feat at a dinner party. And while hosting your own keto dinner party might be the easiest way to successfully tackle the meal, we’ve compiled plenty of keto diet tips and tricks to help you stay in ketosis through even the most decadent menus. 

So read on for our 10 favorite keto dinner party ideas, tips, and tricks for keeping your carbohydrate intake low and sticking to keto.

The Top 10 Keto Dinner Party Tips, Tricks, and Ideas

1. Beware of Hidden Carbs

If you’ve committed to the keto lifestyle, you probably have a pretty good idea of what foods are keto-friendly. 

However, dinner party hosts are apt to attempt recipes and menus chock-full of dishes, toppings, and sauces that may not be a part of your day-to-day diet –– and often packed with a surprising amount of carbs. Popular foods that can push your carbohydrate intake beyond the threshold of ketosis include:

• Coleslaw
• Meatballs
• Pistachios
• Peas
• Sweet Potatoes
• Dairy Milk
• Butternut Squash  

For new keto fans, a good keto trick is to study up on all the curveball, carb-rich foods you need to look out for, but to also learn the actual mechanics behind the keto diet. Understanding what foods can help you reach ketosis and maintain it will better prepare you for meal and menu planning down the line, and help you spot even the trickiest carb traps. 

2. Contribute a Keto-Friendly Dish

Bringing a keto-friendly dish guarantees you have something to eat at the party, can provide a great opportunity to introduce your loved ones to a delicious keto recipe, and ensures that you stay in ketosis despite temptations. 

For an impressive keto dish with low net carbs, consider mashed cauliflower with sage and greens. Otherwise, garlic butter mushrooms are sure to be a hit with even your non-keto friends and family. Of course, both dishes are valuable tools when compiling your own keto dinner party ideas or menu, so be sure to perfect your recipe and use plenty of healthy fats!  

3. Eat Beforehand

While our keto tips and tricks may help, nothing truly eliminates the temptation for carbs like a full stomach. Consider skipping intermittent fasting and making yourself a tasty keto meal before heading to any event or party that will be serving rich, “celebratory” snacks or food. 

Even a small keto snack or a well-timed ketone drink can make the difference between overcoming your cravings and giving in to temptation this holiday season, so be sure to take advantage of even the easiest keto tips and tricks.

4. Ignore Negative Feedback

Negative feedback surrounding your diet can be difficult to deal with - especially when the negativity is coming from close friends or family. 

If you feel yourself beginning to give in to peer pressure, remind yourself why you began your keto journey, and all the physical and mental benefits that have come along with it. 

When sticking to keto, it can also be helpful to prepare a list of topics to redirect the conversation if it becomes uncomfortably fixed on your diet. Keeping a few facts in your back pocket about the benefits of ketones and ketogenic diets can come in handy for particularly persistent loved ones. If you need a little help building out your own list, read on to snag a few of our favorite benefits of ketones and ketosis: 

The Benefits of Ketones & Ketosis: 

5. Buddy Up

According to the Learning Center at UNC-Chapel Hill, an accountability buddy should be considered a core element of effective accountability when it comes to strict diets like the ketogenic diet.

An accountability buddy is great for helping keep spirits high and willpower intact and may provide a strong sounding board for all your favorite keto diet tips and recipes. So before you head out to a particularly intimidating dinner party alone, consider inviting a keto friend to gain a valuable ally in your commitment to ketosis.

Even if your accountability buddy can't join you, a quick phone call or text message throughout the day can significantly increase your odds of successfully navigating the meal. Additionally, making plans to meet up in the days that follow for your own keto dinner party may help you stick to your keto plans in the meantime!

6. Bring Keto Snacks

Evening snacks can be especially tempting. Head off cravings by planning ahead and bringing keto snacks to create your own keto to dinner party. Luckily, there are endless amounts of delicious keto snacks that are sure to be a hit with everyone in attendance (so make extra!) 

If you really want to impress, build a completely keto charcuterie board to share with everyone in attendance. Pile on delicious nuts, meats, veggies, cheeses, and other healthy fats to show your friends just how exciting the keto diet really is! Then, when it comes time to host your own event, you’ll already be armed with charcuterie-style keto dinner party ideas to quickly entice your guests. 

7. Limit Alcohol 

To increase your odds at achieving a keto-friendly menu at any dinner party, consider going easy on the alcohol. 

This tip is important for two reasons. The first is traditional cocktails and alcoholic beverages are typically loaded with carbohydrates and can quickly knock you out of ketosis after a couple of rounds. 

But the second reason might be even more important. 

As we all know, drinking alcohol can significantly affect decision-making and reduce inhibitions. This combination of effects can make it much harder to remain disciplined and make positive food choices during social meals. 

One drink too many may very well lead to you loading your plate with carb-heavy foods and snacks that leave you feeling bloated and sluggish for the rest of the day. 

8. Keep Busy

If you find yourself becoming tempted by non-keto food, step away from the kitchen and find a way to increase your activity levels or keep yourself busy. 

Dinner parties can be a great opportunity to bond with family and friends over outdoor activities like football or corn-hole tournaments. And if sports aren’t your thing, a friendly card game can provide an enjoyable distraction from carbohydrate cravings.

9. Enjoy Yourself

If you just can’t shake your cravings, or there’s a certain dish you’ve always loved, don’t feel bad about a tiny indulgence. After all, dinner with friends and family is supposed to be a joyous time full of laughter and camaraderie. 

You can always get back into your keto diet once the event has come and gone (and you’ve enjoyed enough of your friend’s famous mac and cheese casserole to get you through the year!)

10. Drink Exogenous Ketones

Exogenous ketone drinks should be considered your secret weapon for sticking to keto as you navigate any dinner party. 

Exogenous ketone drinks can help you stay in a state of ketosis by satiating cravings and providing mental clarity and freshness that helps you stay strong in your commitment to a keto diet. 

And if you have a dietary slip-up (see: Tip #9) exogenous ketones can kickstart your transition back into nutritional ketosis with a concentrated dose of premium ketones.

Unlike most exogenous ketone drinks that rely on poorly flavored ketone esters, Kenetik’s Ketone Drinks provide premium plant-based ketones that are both delicious and energizing.