The latest fad diet showing up in all our pinterest boards and instagram feeds is the ketogenic diet.
The ketogenic diet is not new. In fact, it was originally created to treat children with epilepsy in the 1920’s and is still used to a lesser degree today. Recently, it moved beyond treating children with seizures and transformed into the latest diet craze for weight loss.
The popularity and style of the keto diet reminds me of the Atkins diet days, I remember all the people I knew who lost tons of weight only to gain it back plus a few pounds when they couldn’t maintain the restrictions.
The keto diet is not exactly the same as Atkins. They both limit carbs severely, but Atkins has more protein and includes phases. The keto diet is even lower in carbs, less than 5%, only moderate in protein (15-20%), and extremely high in fat, 80%. The diet is quite severe and is meant to keep a person in a state of ketosis long term. Ketosis is what happens when your body is starving and turns to fat stores for energy.
On the keto diet you can eat lots of high fat meat, high fat cheese, a variety of oils and nuts and a small amount of low carb veggies.
And you will lose weight if you follow a keto diet.
However, it’s important to note that when you reach a state of ketosis you will experience, keto flu, weakness, fatigue, constipation, bad breath and body odor. If you can get past this phase your body will adjust and many people love how they feel.
Still, I am not a proponent of the keto diet. I do not believe that staying in a state of ketosis can be healthy.
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There is a lack of research on the long terms effects, largely because most people can’t stick to it long enough.
In general, I never believe in very restrictive diets, not only because they are incredibly hard to maintain, but also because it is impossible to get all the nutrients your body needs.
The bottom line: like all extreme diets, the keto diet will help you lose weight fast, but it is not a long term solution for maintained weight loss or health and if you do decide to try this type of diet, I strongly urge you to check with your doctor and start a vitamin supplementation plan.
In terms of recipes, if you just want to feel trendy or are having guests on the diet, here are 7 Keto Diet Recipes that are healthy for everyone.
The level of the carbs/protein/fats described in the article is the more extreme level, used mostly by those with medical conditions helped by this diet. It is also used by individuals who want a huge weight loss in a short period of time. All of the diet material I am reading as I research this indicates shifting to more carbs and less fat after the initial 3-4 weeks. However, you raise some very good points. I am always leery of the latest fad, especially in diets. I am investigating it because I do know people who are using it successfully, and I am looking for ways to improve my diet. Some of the principles are good. I feel that this diet, like many, can lead to a level of fanaticism that is not good for long term health.
Just so you know, keto isn’t a fad. It’s a legitimate diet that actually works.
Hi Fraidel, I am sorry if you feel it came across that way, but this article is mostly addressing people who are using it purely as a means for weight loss and simply following the trends. I am happy to hear it is working well for your children and agree anyone that considers this or any other diet should always be done with a health practitioner.
That’s the thing. Keto is a legitimate weight loss diet. It works.
It’s also helped control my mums diabetes.
Everyone should live on keto, as it is the healthiest way to live.
Hi!
I was taken aback by the seeming flippancy of this article. I have 2 children on keto diets for over 10 years. This is the optimal diet for them and they are medically followed. B”H their blood-work is usually perfect, their heart is doing well, their bone density is good, their height is good, their kidneys are stone free, and they’re doing great. 🙂
Not only is this diet still a great tool for epilepsy control, but it is also being used for treating diabetes, migraines, Alzheimer and some cancers in top level hospitals around the world.
As with all things pertaining to health a change in diet should be done with your health practitioner.
Enough time has passed to show that the US introduced original food pyramid has done nothing good for people.
I know you have people’s good at heart but an article like this could seriously harm somebody for whom this diet is optimal.