Keto....

I get a lot of questions on my thoughts on Ketogenic diet.  My usual response is “do your research – look at both the pros and the cons, do you think you can stay on a keto diet forever, and why do you want to do this diet?”  The response to the last 2 questions are no and to lose weight quickly.  Which I then, believe they shouldn’t even start.  

Ketogenic Diet is basically a low carb diet – you will get your nutrition from protein and high fats.

The theory is that if you eat less than so many grams of carbs per day, your body will go into a state of ketosis.  In this state, your body will start to break down protein and fat for energy.

The most popular benefit of the Ketogenic Diet is helping you lose weight faster (likely because you may be eating less calories when cutting out carbs.)

Benefits

Lose weight quickly

Lower blood pressure (raise good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol)

May decrease acne

Lower blood sugar

Disadvantages

Fatigue/brain fog

Constipation

Mild low blood sugar

Indigestion

Kidney stones

May increase your cholesterol

Cheating on a Keto diet –

Most likely you will immediately put a few pounds of water weight after a high carb meal.  When you break your ketosis state the ketone levels fluctuate and you have to start all over again.   Long term cheating on your keto diet will lead to your body returning to the previous state, most likely gaining more weight.

Long term results - do your research - what are the long term results…..how many people do you know personally that have tried it, succeeded, and still live this lifestyle?  Happily?  Balanced?

I do know that some health care professionals recommend this diet to their patients with diabetes and high blood pressure.

 With all this said…

….this is my opinion so don’t get angry…..(I notice that people on the Keto diet treat it as a religion in the sense that they get offended/defensive if you say anything negative about their new chosen lifestyle and try to convince everyone that this diet is the best.)

I have tried Keto before – it did not work for me as personally.  I love to eat carbs and do not wish to cut these out for the rest of my life.

I believe you need a variety of foods to meet your nutritional needs….carbs, protein, and fats all have their own roles to aide in your body functions.

I believe that it is difficult to stay on this diet without “cheating” and pushing you further back then when you started.  Once you eat carbs again the cravings will be hard to resist.

I have seen many individuals start the keto – lose lots of weight then eventually gain it all back, plus more.

I believe in flexible dieting w/out eliminating any foods.  Just more balanced.

In the end, I believe do what works for you.  No judgements needed.  No convincing the masses that this is the way.  Just DoU!