The keto diet has become the latest fad diet to take the health food world by storm. To give you a better idea, “keto diet” is searched more than one million times every single month on Google! The reason for all this hype is due to the fact many people have shared their success stories. Viral photos of individual’s weight loss on this low carb high fats diet has inspired others to try the same. But is this fad all it’s cracked up to be?
The Basics: What Is Keto?
Now that the keto diet has been gaining so much popularity, you are probably wondering what this diet entails. The basic concept is to consume high fats, moderate protein, and very minimal carbohydrates. The ratio for calories consumed on keto is typically 75-20-5 in this order. This is a radical change from the typical American diet, which includes consuming 50-65% carbohydrates.
Here is what 90 days of KETO will do for Type 2 Diabetics…https://t.co/0yyJT0ZxYe pic.twitter.com/IQyxZHHCKU
— Ken D Berry MD (@KenDBerryMD) August 15, 2019
The name “keto” refers to the state the body enters, ketosis, after being on the diet for a few days. In this state, the body starts to use fat instead for energy as opposed to carbs.
What The Diet Consists Of
The keto diet can be very restrictive and difficult for individuals that are used to consuming many carbs. This site breaks down a comprehensive list of what you can and cannot eat on the diet. Your diet will essentially be filled with lots of oils, cheeses, nuts, eggs, and fats, and be rid of fruits, ice cream, whole grains, alcohol... We know, pretty harsh to think about.
Is The Diet Worth It?
Most studies have found that the keto diet does help with initial weight loss, largely from water weight that is flushed out. Many experts also feel that the keto diet helps to limit cravings and improve energy levels. This is because blood sugar is no longer spiking and crashing from processed foods.
Nevertheless, the keto diet was not rated very highly by scientists. In fact, it scored 38 out of 41 diets, primarily because there is still very little information on the long term effects of this diet. Nutritionists fear that cutting out entire food groups (fruit and whole grains) and eating an increased amount of saturated fat could lead to consequences down the line. As with any diet, it is important to consider moderation and keep a heath expert informed if you experience any negative symptoms.
Photos: Pixabay, Freepik
