Free Keto Recipes
Simple: Watch Short Video - Get Recipes
The Keto Diet: How to Lose Weight and Stay Healthy on a Low-Carbohydrate Diet
What does the Ketogenic Diet consist of?
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carbohydrate dietary plan. In essence, it’s the polar opposite of a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet (also known as a standard American diet or SAD).
If you’ve never heard of a ketogenic diet before, it’s a way of eating designed to induce ketosis—or a state where your body breaks down fat molecules into “ketones” for energy. It’s a way of eating that’s especially suited to people who have been previously sedentary (like me!). I eat a high-fat low-carb diet that’s very similar to the ketogenic diet, but the main difference is that I don’t follow the diet 100%. It’s more of a guide for me to follow. Essentially, you eat low-carb high-fat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
On A Ketogenic Diet, you’ll eat more fat, protein, and carbs — especially sweet carbs — in order to boost your metabolism and break your body out of sugar and carb dependency. Hence the term ketosis, which was first described by scientists in the 1920s as a natural metabolic state that many top athletes find themselves in after they consume very strict diets for extended periods of time (i.e. being on a ketogenic diet for many years rather than just a few).
Although the primary benefit of this method is that it offers profound weight loss from being so restrictive with carbohydrates, there are also other benefits to mention also. The high-fat content of this plan has an additional positive effect on blood lipid levels and therefore poses less risk of becoming overweight or developing heart disease than most diet plans. As well as offering quick weight loss, however, it can also have consequences for some people if changes are not made to individual eating habits.
Why is intermittent fasting recommended on a ketogenic diet?
Key point: Intermittent fasting is not required on a ketogenic diet but can be part of your routine.
You don’t have to fast unless you want to. A ketogenic diet is very flexible, so you can follow it in a way that works for you. However, intermittent fasting will provide many of the same benefits without forcing you to be hungry during the day.
Ketogenic diets are naturally high in fat and low in carbs and protein. Because of this, your body breaks down fat stores to use as energy, instead of glucose from carbs. This is great for weight loss because it’s so restrictive and forces your body to burn through your fat stores while you lose weight. Breaking down fat stores also increases your insulin sensitivity, which means your body won’t store as much fat in the future. This is why you see so many people with noloseeorexia at the start of a keto diet and lose such huge amounts of weight quickly.
Benefits of a ketogenic diet for weight loss
- Rapid weight loss. - Improved blood lipid markers. - Greater energy levels. - Improved athletic performance. - Slims down your belly fat by lowering insulin levels. - Boosts your metabolism and thermic effect. - Improves digestion. - Lowers inflammation. - Improves sleep. - Boosts cognitive function. - Ideal for diabetics.
Limitations of the Ketogenic Diet
- Requires a lot of planning. - It’s restrictive. - It might be difficult for people with certain health conditions to follow. - You’ll have to change the way you eat other foods. - You’ll have to consume more fat. - You may have to spend time cooking.
Should you follow a Ketogenic Diet? Final Words
The ketogenic diet is one of the most effective ways to lose weight and improve your health. You’ll feel better, have more energy, and be healthier if you follow a ketogenic diet. Plus, it’s easier than ever to do so. There are countless resources online to help you get started on a ketogenic diet. You can start by asking your doctor if the diet is right for you. If he or she isn’t familiar with it, suggest letting him or her read this article. There are many great apps to help you track your food intake, too.


Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.