Everyone’s heard of it at this point. We’re sure someone you know has tried the Ketogenic diet, more commonly known as the Keto Diet. Maybe you heard about it on social media or maybe you’re looking to try it out for yourself. Either way, if you’re curious about what Keto is all about, we’re here to lend a helping hand to help you understand the diet a little better.
The Keto diet favors fats, requires a moderate amount of protein and seeks to eliminate carbohydrates from a person’s diet. The goal is to force your body to go into a state of ketosis. This is a metabolic state, where the stored fat in the body is broken down in the ‘Ketone’ molecules and used as energy.
The reason this happens is because the body lacks blood sugar, which it usually would have gotten from the carbohydrates it is now deprived of. This shift is not an instantaneous one, nor is it the same for everyone. Some people see quicker results than others, while some people’s bodies take far longer to into ketosis.
The Keto diet has been used to successfully treat drug-resistant forms of epilepsy and is sometimes advised as a weight-loss method for obese patients.
Appetite Reduction
According to multiple studies, reducing one’s carbohydrate intake reduces an individual’s general consumption as well. Therefore, those following a Keto diet are likely to have a reduced appetite.
Better Quality Sleep
Keto diet has been known to improve quality of sleep. After the first three to five days, once your body has gotten used to ketosis, sleeping becomes easier. In fact on a regular Keto diet you should expect to sleep deeply and wake up feeling more refreshed.
Effective Weight Loss
Not only does the burning of existing fat during ketosis lead to immediate weight loss, but the diet, if continued on the long-term, will ensure continued weight loss. This is because as you consume lesser carbohydrates and experience a lower appetite, you will also consume much less food ensuring that you do not risk being over-weight.
Improved Heart and Liver Health
As Keto is a high fat diet, it increases your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) which are associated with a decreased risk of heart disease. Furthermore, it is also a great diet for those at risk of fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes which are commonly associated with high blood sugar levels.
The Keto diet can be seen as an great alternative to treat certain types of epilepsy and obesity. However, it is a very hard diet to follow and is very heavy or read meat, processed, fatty and salty food, all of which are considered to be very unhealthy. Additionally, little is known about its long-term effects and therefore, you may be better off sticking to a balanced unprocessed diet coupled with regular exercise. If you do opt for the Keto diet, be sure to consult your doctor before doing so!
An avid foodie, filmmaker, and journalist, dedicated to answering all your food-related questions.
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