When it comes to diets, I’m someone who follows the principle that one size does NOT fit all. When it comes to diet, some people may do better with more protein, others with fat, others with vegetables, etc. Across the board, no matter what diet you follow, I believe in the principles of ditching processed food, limiting sugar intake, and eating “real” whole food (preferably organic). If you can find that certain diet that works best for your body, you’re golden!
One diet that seems to be growing in popularity is the Ketogenic or Keto diet. Have you heard of it? Do you know what some of the benefits are from the diet?
The Basics of Keto
A ketogenic diet focuses on using “ketones” and fat as fuel for your body – rather than glucose (sugar).
Whenever your body doesn’t have much glucose, it naturally produces more ketones by breaking down fats. This is how your body adapts to periods when sugary and starchy foods aren’t available.
A ketogenic diet causes your body to rely more on ketones – and it does this primarily by limiting the amount of sugars and starches you eat.
The result is that your body burns fats rather than sugars, you feel full more of the time, and you gain greater energy and mental clarity.
Keto Diet Benefits
The Ketogenic (keto) diet was first used to treat kids with epilepsy. However, it’s now being used for weight loss, boosting energy, improving mood, optimizing brain function, and much more.
Many folks report clearer skin, alleviation of IBS and heartburn, and even healing of autoimmune conditions. Plus, researchers are looking into its potential for preventing and treating cancers as well as neurological conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
In fact, for quick weight loss and increased energy, a keto diet is often better than any other diet. This is particularly true for folks with high blood sugar or with a lot of weight to lose.
But it’s also true for anyone seeking more productivity and higher energy levels.
What Do You Eat on a Keto diet?
For the most part, a ketogenic diet is a low carbohydrate version of a Paleo diet.
You eat real foods but avoid the really starchy or sugary ones like many fruits (think pineapples and bananas), tubers (like sweet potatoes and parsnips), and sugars (like honey or maple syrup).
Instead, you eat lots of healthy fats (like coconut oil, ghee, tallow, lard, olive oil, avocado oil) and non-starchy vegetables, along with berries, nuts, seeds, meats, fish, and other seafood.
As I mentioned above, every diet isn’t good for everyone. You will ultimately have to decide if this diet is good for your body.
Candace Dayaz says
I think the keto diet could be really helpful for a lot of people. Thanks for sharing your opinions!