Keto and cannabis go together like cheese and wine, sweet and sour or Cheech and Chong because canna-oils and butter work so well with keto cuisine. Plus, keto staples like almonds, pecans and hazelnuts complement the tang of cannabis while cannabutter adds a richness to any recipe like this little number I concocted: Keto Cannabis Pecan Cheesecake.
I’ve been microdosing with edibles for the last six months, but more consistently over the last three, and have noticed specific benefits that have gradually increased in recent weeks. I keep thinking it can’t be the edibles till I find myself feeling drained or unable to sleep, eat some canna-food, and feel good again, energised, in balance. The biggest benefit is the relief from my IBS symptoms.
To get the full nutritional profile of cannabis the best way to eat it is raw, but cannabutter and oil are also effective. When cannabis is ingested it’s metabolised by the liver before entering the bloodstream, which changes its chemical structure, producing THC metabolites called 11–OH–THC. This is a more potent form of THC and the reason why it’s important to be careful with edibles, to start off slow with low doses.
There are no clear guidelines on dosing, as scientific studies have identified 2.5 mg as sufficient for some people while others have to consume 50 mg to feel an effect. It all depends on the physiology and tolerance of the person consuming the cannabis. Obviously, if you’re a daily weed smoker, you’re going to be able to eat a stronger edible than someone who hasn’t had a joint in years. In Colorado, where the edibles market is more advanced, the recommended dose per edible is 10 mg.
The problem with most edibles is that they’re high in sugar, gluten or corn syrup making it impossible for people with digestive issues to eat them. You couldn’t pay me to eat a gummy bear! The reason I eat keto is because it’s the only diet that doesn’t aggravate my IBS – adding cannabis was a natural progression for me. The benefits I list here are subjective but the effects are distinct and consistent enough for me to notice. Here are some of the benefits of eating cannabis according to me:
Feel Full Longer
When I mix cannabis into a meal, like adding some cannabutter to portion of Brussels sprouts at dinner, I enjoy the meal more and feel satiated for the evening. I’m a real grazer so not picking at food after dinner is a big shift for me. It’s recommended to eat cannabis on a full stomach to increase the bioavailability of the nutrients, so eating it with a meal makes sense, and may explain why it’s so satiating.
Helps lose weight
My weight loss had plateaued on keto. You know that 5lbs that refuses to shift, and the more stubborn it is the more compelled you are to eat a second helping of dessert thus continuing the frustrating cycle. Upping my cannabis intake helped me over this hump. Again, it comes down to feeling fuller longer, meaning I have no urge to graze – which is also an effect of being in ketosis. But I’ve been slipping on my keto diet over the last two months and eating sugar. Yet I recently saw more weight loss, and the only difference is to my diet is that I’m getting more creative with how I eat cannabis.
Easier to Control Consumption
The most surprising outcome of eating cannabis is how easy it is to control my consumption. I make really good cookies with organic ingredients, and typically have a handful in my freezer as well as a jar of cannabutter in my fridge. Am I fiendishly wolfing them down every night? The opposite. I’m aware of their potency and rather than over-indulging I keep them for when I need them. In the early days, four or five months ago, I was more likely to eat a canna-cookie as a snack but quickly learned not to be so casual. Now, I eat one as a treat or to treat a specific symptom such as inflammation or insomnia.
Improves Sleep
As a woman in my forties, my hormones are all over the place and one of the biggest downsides of that is insomnia. Earlier in the month I stopped smoking cannabis for three days and by day three I was awake for 22 hours! It was insane. I finally threw in the towel and smoked a joint. Some nights, not even a joint is strong enough to battle the force that is perimenopause-induced insomnia but an edible is! I eat a cookie and sleep like a baby.
Treats IBS Symptoms
Constant bloating or feeling uncomfortably full are just some of the symptoms of IBS, along with fatigue, gas, sugar dips and cramps. Upping my cannabis intake has resulted in reduced bloating and rather than feeling uncomfortable or swollen after eating, I feel nourished, and my food digests easily. All fatigue issues are gone, and I have more energy than ever. I’m sleeping better, and waking up refreshed.
Boosts Energy & Mental Clarity
This probably has a lot to do with being able to sleep better since I started eating cannabis but I also have an added level of focus and motivation. It’s not just that I’m clearer on what’s important I have the mental diligence to follow through. Perhaps that’s down to the fact that I’m fascinated by cannabis and committed to learning as much as possible but I suspect it’s the plant motivating me rather than the other way round.
On to the fun part!
Keto Cannabis Pecan Cheesecake
Ingredients:
Base
- 1 cup of almond flour
- ½ cup of grated almonds
- ½ cup of crushed pecans
- 2 tbsp of Panela
- 1/3 cup of cannabutter
Topping
- 600 grs of cream cheese (Philadelphia)
- 100 grs of cream
- 1 tsp of vanilla essence
- 3 tbsp of maple syrup
- 2 tbsp of panela
- 1 tbsp of cannabutter
Instructions:
Base
Toast the almond flour, grated almonds and crushed pecans in a skillet; this is really important to bring out the flavour of the nuts – don’t skip this bit. When the nuts are browned, transfer to a bowl, add the sugar and the butter and mix it till you get a crumbly biscuit texture. Pour the mix into a 9” baking tin and spread it into a flat base. You can bake it for ten minutes, or leave in the fridge for 2 hours to set.
Topping
Mix the cream cheese and cream in a bowl till you get a creamy texture, then add the rest of the ingredients and blend into the mix. Pour the mix on top of the base, and return it to the fridge. For best results, leave it overnight to set. Decorate with pecans or blanched almonds.
Macros per slice (large slice)
- Kcals: 785
- Fat: 76g
- Carbs: 48g
- Protein 21g
Effect:
The pecans and maple syrup infuse this creamy cheesecake with wonderful woody notes that mask the taste of cannabis. Because the taste is so smooth, this is really easy to eat, so be careful with serving size. I had two big slices because I’m a glutton and couldn’t resist and was awake till three in the morning. Fear not, my freaky friends, I had a lovely time.
#healthyhighs #letsbake #ketocannabis
The Healthy Hashhead 