
Keto diet: Is it worth it?
A keto diet can help with weight loss and general health, but it’s not easy. It takes time and dedication to see results, so it might not be worth it for everyone. In this article, you’ll learn about the keto diet and whether or not it’s worth trying. You’ll also learn about the potential benefits of going keto as well as the potential health risks and side effects of being on a keto diet long-term.
The potential dangers of a ketogenic diet
Many people have cut carbs and sugars from their diets to lose weight. This might be for good reason, but there is also a hidden cost. I'm talking about the ketogenic diet. To be clear, not all low-carb or sugar free diets are considered ketogenic, but many people think that they are just because they follow certain guidelines like cutting carbohydrates and sugar.
The ketogenic diet is often used to treat epilepsy in children and adults who haven't responded well to other treatments. It can even help slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease too.
Benefits of the Keto Diet
The Keto Diet focuses on consuming foods that are high in fat and low in carbs, with a focus on controlling insulin levels. There are many benefits of the keto diet such as weight loss, more muscle mass, less hunger and improved mental clarity.
The keto diet is gaining popularity as people start to understand how beneficial it can be for their health, especially for those who have diabetes or want to get into shape. One of the main misconceptions about the keto diet is that there is no carbs at all. When starting out on the keto diet, you will need to keep your carb intake below 30 grams per day (this is different from person to person). For most people, this means cutting out rice, pasta and grains altogether. But do not worry! There are plenty of other sources of carbohydrates like vegetables (raw), salad dressing (olive oil based), fruits (non-starchy) and nuts. Eating these alternative sources will help you stay within your limit but still keep up your carbohydrate intake which is important for maintaining muscle mass while following this type of diet.
The keto diet has many benefits including better cholesterol levels, lower blood sugar levels and increased energy throughout the day.
The beauty of Ketosis
The ketogenic, or keto, diet is an increasingly popular way to eat. For people who are serious about their body goals, this type of nutritional regimen might be a natural next step to accompany strength training and clean eating.
To understand what the keto diet does to your body, let's review how our bodies normally use carbohydrates for energy. While carbs are present in many foods we consume - such as breads, grains, and sugary snacks - they're broken down into glucose which acts as the primary source of fuel for our brains and muscles when the body needs it most (think exercise). Insulin is released in response to elevated blood sugar levels after we eat these types of carbs so that more glucose can enter the cells where it belongs.
Your body will crave what you give it, which is better than starving yourself.
Our natural instinct is to eat when we are hungry, so whether you decide to consume a high protein or low fat diet, your body will crave what you give it. At first, your body will resist this new change as our whole life we have been taught that calories in equals calories out and eating less will mean weight loss. In reality, losing weight is about making changes to your lifestyle that promotes healthier food choices. A more traditional calorie counting approach of tracking calories just does not work for the long term because by the time you get back to how much you used to eat on a regular basis, the weight will be back with no muscle growth. So what does work?
Electrolytes are important while on the Keto Diet
In order to stay healthy on the keto diet, athletes and those doing physically demanding work should include electrolytes in their daily intake. The only way to do this is by drinking a balanced amount of water (rehydration). Other beverages that contain electrolytes are sports drinks and Gatorade, but these come with their own caveats. Milk can also provide calcium, which will make bones stronger, but not all dairy products provide the same amount of calcium. Almond milk has fewer calories than whole milk and can help meet your body's needs without adding much sugar to your system. You'll need a little more than 400mgs per day while on the keto diet as long as you're eating enough protein.
Sleep is very important while on the Keto Diet
Sleep deprivation is one of the most common problems people face on the Keto Diet. This can come from a number of different sources but the easiest to fix are physical and mental stimulants. It's important to note that you might need to go a little easier on these during this time. The next hardest problem, sleep disturbance, is usually due to body changes while on the keto diet. Common causes include acidity in the stomach, difficulty falling asleep because of hunger and not enough carbohydrates (especially fruits) in your meal plan. Luckily there are solutions for both of these issues as well and are outlined below. Physical stimulants should be avoided if possible- even black coffee can hurt your sleep.
Managing your time is key while on the Ketogenic Diet
The first day or two of a Ketogenic Diet can be difficult, but you can manage your time and energy by planning ahead. Here are some things to consider:
There are two times of the day when you'll need to plan carefully to make sure you have enough energy to get through your workday – breakfast and lunch. Make sure you always have an energy snack at hand that is keto-friendly like hard boiled eggs, organic grass-fed beef jerky, chicken wings or celery sticks with almond butter. With these snacks in place, there's no need for hunger cravings when you're feeling lightheaded and getting through the workday becomes less difficult.
About the Creator
SIHEM ABED
Nurse , Ambitious ..... life lover, adventurer
My passion to write brought me to Vocal Media
Everyday new story is born and created



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