Watch the Sneaky Ones: Githeri, Matoke and Nyama Choma Sides

Some local favourites look healthy but quietly break keto. Githeri is mostly maize and beans, both high in carbs, so it is not a keto meal even though it is filling and cheap. Matoke, nduma (arrowroot), ngwaci (sweet potato), potatoes and green maize are all starchy and add up fast. Even a Coke or sweetened chai with two spoons of sugar can undo a good day. The nyama choma itself is perfect for keto, but the ugali, kachumbari is fine while the mukimo and potatoes beside it are not. You do not need to memorise numbers. Just remember the simple rule: anything that grows as a grain, a tuber or comes as sugar is one to limit. Kachumbari, greens and the roast meat are your friends. If you are managing diabetes or any health condition, talk to your doctor before making big diet changes, since your needs may be different.