EP 219: You DON’T NEED VEGETABLES on a KETO DIET – the veggie myth

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For years, people have been told that vegetables are the foundation of health. Eat your greens. Load your plate with plants. Skip them and you’re guaranteed to run into problems. That message gets even louder when someone starts a ketogenic diet. The assumption is that cutting carbs means cutting nutrients unless vegetables stay front and center.

In this episode, Tristan Haggard challenges that assumption head-on. He breaks down why vegetables are not required for health on a ketogenic diet, and why many people feel better when they stop forcing them onto their plate. This episode is not about demonizing plants. It’s about questioning nutrition rules that don’t hold up when you look at real-world results.

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Meet the Host/Guest

Tristan Haggard is the voice behind the Primal Edge Health podcast. He’s helped thousands find health through nutrient-dense eating, keto, and carnivore diets by focusing on real food, simple habits, and a holistic approach to wellness. He’s also into homesteading and raising his family with a back-to-basics lifestyle.

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Episode Highlights

Tristan tackles a question that comes up all the time. How many vegetables do you need on keto? His answer is simple. None. He explains the difference between what you like to eat and what you actually need to stay healthy. If you enjoy veggies and feel good eating them, great. But if you do better with fewer plants, you don’t need to force them just because you’ve been told they’re mandatory.

He also addresses the two big fears people have when they cut back on vegetables. People worry about nutrient deficiencies and digestion. Tristan argues that animal foods provide plenty of bioavailable nutrients, and that the “fiber is required” message isn’t true for everyone. He points to people who improve when they reduce fiber, especially those dealing with gut issues, and he encourages listeners to focus on results instead of food rules.

Some people do well with vegetables. Others don’t. The issue is not vegetables themselves, it’s the idea that everyone must eat them no matter what. Keto does not require vegetables, and you don’t need to keep foods in your diet that consistently make you feel worse.

In this episode:

• Why personal results matter more than nutrition rules
• Why vegetables are not required on a ketogenic diet
• How animal foods cover micronutrient needs
• The fiber myth and digestive health
• What elimination diets reveal about gut function

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Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The contents of this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. The content presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or dietary changes. Reliance on any information provided by this article is solely at your own risk.