Looking for more healthy fats in your Keto Zone diet?
If you want more variety, or are tired of sweet “fat bombs” and foods, this delicious, savory, anti-bloat, whole-food Keto Zone Basil Pesto Fat Bomb will hit the spot.
It’s easy to make. It’s easy to keep (it freezes well). It’s bursting with fresh, healthy whole-food ingredients including fresh basil.
Basil is a particular healthful food.
In fact, basil can decrease inflammation and oxidative stress, promote healthy blood flow, fight bacteria, and even combat bloat.
Here’s how and why you should try our Keto Zone Basil Pesto Fat Bomb today.
Keto Zone Basil Pesto Fat Bomb
Ingredients
- 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice and 1 to 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
- 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated (optional)
- 8 stalks celery (11-12”)
Instructions
Place basil, garlic, pine nuts, lemon juice, and lemon peel in a food processor or blender.
Process until coarsely chopped.
Add olive oil. Process until fully incorporated and smooth. If desired, add salt and pepper to taste.
Top with cheese, if desired (if dairy free, it’s okay to omit parmesan).
Place ~1/4 cup on ½-1 celery stick for 1 serving.
Eat immediately or store in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Store in freezer up to 6 months.
Tip: Freeze in an ice-cube try for future single-servings.
Serves 8.
Nutrition Info: 210 calories, 23 gm fat, 3 gm carbs, 2 gm fiber, 2 gm protein (99% fat)
Basil Pesto Fat Bomb and Amazing Health Benefits
Basil provide amazing flavor to any dish. But it’s more than flavor. Fresh basil delivers:
Reduced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
Basil’s flavonoids, especially orientin and vicenin, are phytonutrients that protect cell structures from radiation and oxygen-based damage (free radicals/oxidative stress).
Eugenol, one of basil’s volatile oils, works to block the inflammatory activity of an enzyme (cyclooxygenase) in the body. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) such as aspirin and ibuprofen, also work to block this enzyme.
Remember, this not only has implications for inflammatory conditions like arthritis, but also anti-aging, and even anti-cancer nutrition.
Improved Blood Flow
Want improved blood flow? Of course!
Add vitamin A and magnesium from basil. Like other dark leafy greens such as spinach, basil offers a good source of beta-carotene (vitamin A precursor). Beta-carotene is a strong antioxidant that protects arteries and many cells from free radical damage while reducing the oxidation of cholesterol (oxidation allow cholesterol to form plaques in artery walls).
By eating your leafy greens, you can keep your artery walls strong and clear of plagues. Then, the magnesium in basil prompts muscles and blood vessels to relax, which improves blood flow out of the heart and throughout the body.
Bacteria Protection
If you’d rather be healthy and happy than sick, try basil as an antibacterial tool. Basil’s specific volatile oils have anti-bacterial properties that can restrict the growth of Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli O:157:H7, and more.
In fact, basil’s oils may be effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. A 2003 study showed that washing produce in solution containing either basil or thyme essential oil, even at just a 1% solution, resulted in dropping the number of Shigella below the point at which it could be detected.
Two applications possible are to 1) add a basil essential oil solution to your produce-washing regimen and 2) add fresh basil to foods that may potentially pose a risk such as fresh salads, fresh fruits and meats (such as pesto on top of chicken) (1).
Decreased Bloat
Both basil and celery act as gentle diuretics in the body. If you tend to retain fluid in your digestive tract or in other body tissues, basil can help. Some individuals feel bloated from hot weather, standing during the day, sodium-rich foods, or other causes. Basil to the rescue against bloat.
Basil’s unique nutrition properties make it a no-brainer for preventative nutrition (2).
Why Use Pesto Fat Bombs?
Fat bombs, or snack-sized foods that are 90% or more fat, are useful when eating in the Keto Zone in order to bring your total daily fat intake to >75%. Typically, meals include a bit more protein, so the percentage can be slightly lower. When you replace other snacks with fat bombs, you increase fat intake, and have the opportunity to flood your body with the great nutrition found in healthy fats and foods like basil.
For more on Fat Bombs, click here.
Bottom Line
Our Keto Zone Basil Pesto Fat Bomb is the perfect snack to bring up your healthy fat intake each day. It’s delicious, easy, and a needed break from sweet fat bombs.
