Keto Cleanse

by Karissa Long

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Keto Cleanse is a cookbook with meal plans for a reset/dietary cleanse by Karissa Long. Released 14th April 2020 by Callisto on their Rockridge Press imprint, it's 210 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is an appealing and accessible keto cookbook for readers looking for entry-level recipes. The layout is sensible and easy to follow. An introduction (what ketosis is, the benefits of eating a keto diet, myths and facts about ketosis), is followed by a potential healing results, preparation (including tools and supplies), and a description of the different types of meal plans included by the author. There are complete pantry and shopping lists as well as a schedule type listing (with active links for easily flipping back and forth in the electronic version).

The next section includes the recipes which are grouped by category: breakfast & smoothies, soups & salads, vegetables & side dishes, seafood, poultry, beef pork & lamb, beverages & treats, and staple recipes and ingredients recipes.

The recipes have their ingredients listed bullet style in a sidebar. The headers include a description, including special info such as elimination friendly, super quick, and vegetarian. Measurements are given in US standard only. Special tools and ingredients are also listed, along with yields and cooking directions. Most of the ingredients are easily sourced at any moderately well stocked grocery store (some items will need a specialist co-op or health-food grocery). Nutritional information is included in a footer at the end of each entry. Tips and variations on each recipe are also included in a text box at the end. Extra info: the dressing recipes in the staples chapter are *really* well put together and tasty. I've been dipping everything into the vinaigrette, it's fantastic.

The book also includes a short author bio but lacks any index or general ingredients index (there are however, complete ingredients lists in the meal plan chapters). There is a metric conversion chart included in the book. The author also includes some interesting web resource links for further reading.

My quibbles with the book: first, the recipes are mostly not photographed. There are some photos, and they're clear and attractive, but they only represent about 5% of the recipes included in the book. Second, I cringe whenever I see the word "cleanse" used in any food/diet context. The author herself covers that issue pretty well and provides a decent layman accessible explanation why tea and juice "cleanses" are generally a bad idea. (So I haven't subtracted anything for the use in the title, but it did make me wince).

Four stars. This would make a good choice for readers looking for a quick-start keto diet with diet friendly meal plans.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.