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Ketogenic low carbs diet concept. Healthy balanced food with hig
Ketogenic low carbs diet concept. Healthy balanced food with high content of healthy fats. Diet for the heart and blood vessels. Organic food ingredients, white marble background, copy space top view
Ketogenic Diet: The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat and protein diet meant to push your body into the state of ketosis, which means that you begin to burn fat for energy.
Pros
- Weight loss – If done correctly, you can lose weight on the keto diet. Studies show that people following the high-fat lifestyle lost 2.2 times more weight than those on a low-fat diet.
- No calorie restricting – You aren’t required to calorie count, which means less stressing about tracking numbers and restricting food.
- Other benefits – The diet can improve cholesterol levels, blood pressure and blood sugar. Recently, it has been suggested that the keto diet may reduce risks with Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, polycystic ovary syndrome and acne.
- Delicious food – No need to throw away flavor for fat. Tasty options like meat, fish, eggs, butter, cheese, nuts and seeds, avocados, and low-carb veggies are all allowed on the diet.
Cons
- Weight gain – Sounds contradictory, right? Many people struggle with following the keto diet exactly how it’s supposed to be followed, and therefore end up putting on some pounds. Many keto-goers binge on fatty meats and high-calorie foods, simply because they are low in carbohydrates.
- Keto flu – Doctors explain that people starting the diet may experience the keto flu, a phenomenon that can include headaches, nausea, dizziness and irritability.
- Risk of heart disease – The required amounts of protein and saturated fat lead people to turn to animal fats, which can increase cholesterol and therefore contribute to cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
- Not sustainable – This diet isn’t meant to be long term. When you do go back to eating carbs, you most likely will regain the weight you lost.
Questions to ask yourself before going keto
- Have you consulted your doctor?
- Do you have weight-related health issues?
- Can you follow a diet exactly as directed?
- Do you have any food restrictions/limitations?
Mallory Arnold is an assistant editor. Feedback welcome at marnold@cityscenemediagroup.com.
