Diabetes & Ketogenic Diet: Can You Manage Your Diabetes On A Ketogenic Diet?
In this article we will cover what a Ketogenic diet is and if you can manage your diabetes while on this diet. Ketogenic diet for diabetics is a highly controversial topic, but we will break down everything here for you! As a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE), I have to tell you from the start I will have a biased view here. Sorry, but I feel that I need to be completely honest right up front! I will however, present all the evidence that is available currently on the subject. As a CDE, I have been taught to follow the American Diabetes Association Dietary Guidelines for Americans which is low in carbohydrates, high in fiber, with fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains. The Ketogenic Diet this article will be discussing is much lower in carbohydrates, in order to promote the state of nutritional ketosis, or the fat burning state for weight loss. What is a Ketogenic Diet? The Ketogenic Diet is a low carbohydrate diet, consisting initially of less than 20 carbohydrates per day. Not per meal, yes, you heard me correctly, per day. It is not for the faint of heart and yes I am writing from experience. Of course I have tried it! Hasn’t everybody in America at some point who has wanted to lose weight? Does it work you ask? Of course it does! The problem is how long can you keep it up? Your body uses the carbohydrates you eat for energy, so if we restrict how many carbohydrates we eat, the body has to get its fuel source from fat. A byproduct of this fat burning state are ketones which are produced; this is called nutritional ketosis. You can determine if you are in this fat burning state by purchasing urine ketone testing strips from your local pharmacy. The Ketogenic Diet with Diabetes Some precautions must be made clear; this diet is not appropriate for people with any Continue reading >>
Keto Tip: Eat More Salt On A Ketogenic Diet!
I said last week that most issues with the Ketogenic Diet can be fixed by doing one of three things; drink more water, eat more salt, or eat more fat. Last week we talked about water, now let’s talk about salt. Of all the things that were difficult for me to start to do once I started eating on a Ketogenic diet, it was probably upping my salt intake that really messed with me the most. All my life I have had high blood pressure and of course, the first thing the Docs tell you to do is cut your salt intake. You may have heard of the DASH diet that consists primarily of veggies, lean protein, low fat dairy, fruits and whole grains and no added sodium. Well guess what that diet also happens to be low in? That’s right, our old friend sugar. And according to a 2010 University of Louisiana study, reducing your dietary sugar has a much bigger impact on your BP than added salt. Why is that? Here are 3 reasons. Hydrophilic Effects of Sugar One reason is that sugar is hydrophilic, in other words it tends to absorb water. So if you have high levels of blood sugar it will tend to absorb water creating a larger volume of fluid in your veins and arteries. This increased volume raises blood pressure. Insulin Resistance Blocks Magnesium Insulin helps your body store magnesium but if you are insulin resistant (and if you are obese, you are by definition insulin resistant) your cells wont take up the insulin or the magnesium that come along with it. Magnesium stored in cells relaxes your muscles and without it, the blood vessels become more rigid which increases blood pressure. On a personal note, once I started taking these Magnesium supplements I saw a huge drop in my overall BP as well as an easier time sleeping through the night. Fructose Elevates Uric Acid The metabolization of Continue reading >>
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Should You Follow The Ketogenic Diet?
The ketogenic diet may be on the rise as far as diet trends go, but the concept isn't new. First identified as a beneficial treatment for epilepsy, the high-fat, very-low-carbohydrate approach has been around for close to 100 years. Recently, the diet has become popular among athletes (LeBron James tried it) and those looking for the next weight-loss cure-all. Followers eat foods like butter, oils, fatty meats and cheese. Proponents claim it can lower cholesterol and improve athletic performance, but before you go "keto," here's a look at the science behind the popular diet. Try It: How to Start a Low-Carb Diet the Healthy Way Ketogenic Diet Basics The keto diet requires the body to rely mostly on fat for energy, rather than the usual carbohydrates (see Carbohydrates vs. Fat for Fuel below). When carb intake is very low, ketones—products of fat breakdown in the liver—must fuel the body. According to John Hawley, Ph.D., director of the Centre for Exercise and Nutrition at Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research in Melbourne, Australia, there is no global definition of the ketogenic diet. In other words, no standard exists for how many grams of carbohydrate, fat, or protein should be consumed when following the diet. Most research around the diet has identified a carbohydrate intake between 25 and 50 grams per day, which is equivalent to two medium apples or one cup of cooked brown rice. This extreme reduction in carbohydrate is very difficult to maintain long-term and makes it impossible to meet the recommended amount of fruit, vegetable and whole-grain servings recommended for a healthy diet. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, carbohydrates should make up 45 to 60 percent of daily calories, or 130 grams/day, for most people to eat a balanced die Continue reading >>
If You've Been Considering The Keto Diet, This Might Change Your Mind
The keto diet is gaining in popularity, but it's also "a dietitian's nightmare," Lisa Eberly said. We chatted with the registered dietitian to get her expert opinion on the trendy diet we've been hearing so much about. Spoiler alert: she's not into it. What Is a Keto Diet? A keto — short for ketogenic — diet is a low-carb diet, in which the body produces ketones in the liver to use as energy in lieu of carbohydrates (more on that later). Like other low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) diets, keto draws people in with its promised weight-loss results. Blogs, Pinterest, and Instagram have been lighting up with "keto recipes" and meal plans, but that doesn't mean it's actually good for you. "When you eat something high in carbs, your body will produce glucose and insulin," Lisa explained. Glucose and insulin, at proper levels, are used for energy — they're also essential for a healthy, balanced body. But it's all about balance — too many carbohydrates can be detrimental. "Your body's production of glucose and insulin can become abnormal, leading to health problems, poor food cravings, and weight gain." But, she said, "that does not mean that the answer is to eliminate [or significantly reduce] them." How Does the Keto Diet Work? Lisa put it pretty simply: a ketogenic diet mimics starvation. The starvation effect causes the body to go into a metabolic state called "ketosis." In our normal state, human bodies are sugar-driven: we eat carbohydrates, carbs are broken down into glucose, and glucose usually becomes energy, or it's stored as glycogen in liver and muscle tissue. When you deprive your body of essential carbohydrate intake (Lisa noted that this is anything under 50 grams per day), then the liver goes into overdrive, because you don't have that carbohydrate-made glucose Continue reading >>
What Is Ketosis?
"Ketosis" is a word you'll probably see when you're looking for information on diabetes or weight loss. Is it a good thing or a bad thing? That depends. Ketosis is a normal metabolic process, something your body does to keep working. When it doesn't have enough carbohydrates from food for your cells to burn for energy, it burns fat instead. As part of this process, it makes ketones. If you're healthy and eating a balanced diet, your body controls how much fat it burns, and you don't normally make or use ketones. But when you cut way back on your calories or carbs, your body will switch to ketosis for energy. It can also happen after exercising for a long time and during pregnancy. For people with uncontrolled diabetes, ketosis is a sign of not using enough insulin. Ketosis can become dangerous when ketones build up. High levels lead to dehydration and change the chemical balance of your blood. Ketosis is a popular weight loss strategy. Low-carb eating plans include the first part of the Atkins diet and the Paleo diet, which stress proteins for fueling your body. In addition to helping you burn fat, ketosis can make you feel less hungry. It also helps you maintain muscle. For healthy people who don't have diabetes and aren't pregnant, ketosis usually kicks in after 3 or 4 days of eating less than 50 grams of carbohydrates per day. That's about 3 slices of bread, a cup of low-fat fruit yogurt, or two small bananas. You can start ketosis by fasting, too. Doctors may put children who have epilepsy on a ketogenic diet, a special high-fat, very low-carb and protein plan, because it might help prevent seizures. Adults with epilepsy sometimes eat modified Atkins diets. Some research suggests that ketogenic diets might help lower your risk of heart disease. Other studies show sp Continue reading >>
Can You Eat Fruit On The Keto Diet?
Written by: Kat Gal Fruits are delicious and nutritious. But can these sweet candies of nature be part of a proper keto diet? The short answer is: yes, they can (you can calm down now)! Fruits are abundant in vitamins and minerals that your body needs to stay healthy. They are also packed with fiber, keeping your digestive system happy too. But fruits are also naturally high in carbs, so you may question if they mix well with the low-carb, high-fat keto diet. The truth is that as long as you eat them in moderation and keep your overall carb count down, you can enjoy them while on a keto diet. Berries are the best choice for keto-lovers. Berries are some of the best fruits out there, even if you are not on the keto diet. However, if you are following this low-carb, high-fat plan, you definitely want to make berries your fruity staple. If you are trying to keep your carbs low, berries are a no brainer. Berries tend to have a low GI and they are much lower in sugar than most fruits. With so many varieties – blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, mulberries, elderberries, etc. – you will never even get bored. Strawberries only have 1.8 grams of net carbs, blackberries have 2.1 and blueberries have 4.1 grams per ¼ cup. You can eat them fresh or use them frozen. Eat them as they are or add them to your salads, smoothies and dishes. They make excellent desserts and pancake toppings. Other good fruit choices on a keto diet include coconut (1.3 g net carbs per ¼ cup), pineapple (3.8 g net carbs per ¼ cup), watermelon (2.6 g net carbs per ¼ cup) and cherries (4.2 net carbs per cup). Besides picking the right fruits and keeping your carbs low, you should also make sure to eat your fruits with some fat or protein. Eating fruits with fats or protein can help to keep their i Continue reading >>
Get Thin By Eating More Fat. Is The Keto Diet Too Good To Be True?
The ketogenic diet is an invitation to eat eggs, cheese, bacon and butter while attempting to lose weight. It allows you to pack the fat onto your plate with the promise of inches disappearing from your hips, waist and thighs. It encourages you to ignore calories. Yes, you read that right. According to Body Building magazine, you’ll eat 70 to 75 percent of your calories as fats on the Keto diet, 15 to 20 percent as protein, and the remaining 5 to 10 percent as carbohydrates. The Keto Diet Blog recommends: Eating all the fats you like, including butter, duck fat and lard. Protein can include beef, pork, lamb, eggs, fish and chicken. You’ll eat only 30 grams of net carbs (that’s carbohydrate grams minus fiber grams), which could include green leafy vegetables like kale and bok choy, cauliflower, mushrooms, avocados, peppers and asparagus. Berries like raspberries, blueberries and blackberries are fine. Breads, cookies, cake, rice, potatoes, pasta, and anything containing sugar or corn syrup are strictly off limits. This Chicken with Rosemary Butter Sauce from Taste of Home has Keto just right. How the Keto Diet Works According to a study in Frontiers in Psychology, after three or four days on the diet, your body recognizes that it can’t make enough energy from carbohydrates in food, so it starts using the fat stored in your cells. The process is called ketosis: Your liver is making ketone bodies, which are then used to make energy. When your body begins using fats instead of sugars for energy, your brain registers an “aha” moment. You now have a more efficient fat-burning metabolism. The Science Behind Keto The ketogenic diet dates back to 1920, when it was first used to help reduce epileptic seizures in children. It’s still used for that purpose, according Continue reading >>
Full Ketogenic Diet Food List
So you’ve decided to try the ketogenic diet. Now what? Do you know exactly what to eat? If you’re still scratching your head, or perhaps just need a little refresher, not to worry. This ketogenic diet food list includes everything you can eat for ketogenic diet success. The good news is that keto is probably the simplest diet you will find. The bad news? It can feel pretty strict at times, and it’s easy to miss the foods you used to eat if you focus on what’s lacking. So let’s start with all the delicious whole foods you can eat. We’re break it down into four sections, fat, protein, carbs, and miscellaneous. And to make it super easy AND delicious for you, we’ve whipped up a ketogenic diet meal plan so you can take the guesswork out of keto and put away your calculator. Ketogenic Diet Food List: Fats Healthy fats are really the cornerstone of the ketogenic diet. In order to keep your body in a state of ketosis—breaking down fat instead of carbs or protein for fuel—you’ve gotta eat a lot of fat—at around 70% of your calories, in fact. We want a high-quality ketogenic diet, which means quality fat, which means the source matters. Check out our full article on healthy fats vs. the ones to still avoid even in ketosis. This is really one of the best things about the keto diet. Fat is satiating, and it tastes great, so you can eat a lot of foods that are satisfying and delicious. Just make sure you eat the right types of fats. Here’s what that includes: SATURATED AND MONOUNSATURATED FATS Butter or ghee Avocados Macadamia nuts Coconut butter Cocoa butter Egg yolks (go with pasture-raised for the extra few bucks) #TreatYoself Coconut oil, olive oil, MCT oil, or avocado oil Nuts and seeds or nut butter (choose fattier nuts like macadamia nuts or almonds) Continue reading >>
Ketogenic Diet: Is The Ultimate Low-carb Diet Good For You?
Recently, many of my patients have been asking about a ketogenic diet. Is it safe? Would you recommend it? Despite the recent hype, a ketogenic diet is not something new. In medicine, we have been using it for almost 100 years to treat drug-resistant epilepsy, especially in children. In the 1970s, Dr. Atkins popularized his very-low-carbohydrate diet for weight loss that began with a very strict two-week ketogenic phase. Over the years, other fad diets incorporated a similar approach for weight loss. What is a ketogenic diet? In essence, it is a diet that causes the body to release ketones into the bloodstream. Most cells prefer to use blood sugar, which comes from carbohydrates, as the body’s main source of energy. In the absence of circulating blood sugar from food, we start breaking down stored fat into molecules called ketone bodies (the process is called ketosis). Once you reach ketosis, most cells will use ketone bodies to generate energy until we start eating carbohydrates again. The shift, from using circulating glucose to breaking down stored fat as a source of energy, usually happens over two to four days of eating fewer than 20 to 50 grams of carbohydrates per day. Keep in mind that this is a highly individualized process, and some people need a more restricted diet to start producing enough ketones. Because it lacks carbohydrates, a ketogenic diet is rich in proteins and fats. It typically includes plenty of meats, eggs, processed meats, sausages, cheeses, fish, nuts, butter, oils, seeds, and fibrous vegetables. Because it is so restrictive, it is really hard to follow over the long run. Carbohydrates normally account for at least 50% of the typical American diet. One of the main criticisms of this diet is that many people tend to eat too much protein and Continue reading >>
The Ketogenic Diet 101
A little something you may not know about our founder, Mark Sisson, is that he has been doing a deep immersion into ketogenic eating with great success since the beginning of 2017. Most of our products are the perfect accompaniment to a nutrient-dense keto diet. In celebration of Mark’s upcoming book, The Keto Reset Diet, we’ve created our very own Keto Kit, incorporating a full suite of products full of natural fats, superfoods, and antioxidant-rich, high-ORAC scoring spices and herbs. Start your keto lifestyle out right with the Primal Kitchen Keto Kit! A ketogenic diet is high in natural fats, moderate in protein, and extremely low in carbohydrates. Eating “keto” prompts the body to burn fat as its primary source of energy and stimulates the production of ketone bodies in the liver. The brain, heart, and skeletal muscles use ketones in the same manner as glucose. However, in comparison to glucose, ketones are extremely clean burning and anti-inflammatory. Experts suggest that active folks consume 50 grams or less of carbohydrates per day to promote a state of nutritional ketosis. Higher levels of carbohydrate intake shut off ketone production because the body has sufficient glucose to burn. Glucose burns quickly and easily–you can compare it to kindling and newspapers on a campfire. In contrast, fat and ketones burn cleaner and longer–you can compare them to the glowing big logs on a well-built campfire. A high carbohydrate, high insulin producing diet necessitates frequent meals and snacks to keep your energy–the campfire flame–burning throughout your body day. Going keto and diligently restricting carbs frees you from dependency on regular meals for energy, and turbo-charges fat burning. Our ability to manufacture and efficiently burn ketones is an Continue reading >>
Low-carb Fruits List Allowed On Keto Diet
All the doctors recommend eating fruit to lose weight. They’ve told us to eat 2 portions each day. Well, fruit is healthy, has lots of health benefits, but it’s also really easy to overeat it. And those 2 portions become 10 without even realizing. So, the point is that fruit has carbs. And in keto or low carb diet you are minimizing your carb intake and if you eat a lot of fruit you can easily go over your with your carbs. Treat fruit like dessert or like candy to make sure you aren’t eating too much. Always measure your fruit and keep your carb count accurate. Also, remember that eating fruit can prevent you from fully keto-adapt. They can also kick you out of ketosis if you are too sensitive. Here is a list of the fruits that you can enjoy in the smallest amount possible on a ketogenic/ low carb diet. Serving size: ¼ cup (for sedentary people on keto) Berries Berries contain phytonutrients that have been proven to prevent aging of the tissues or diseases like cancer and dementia due to the antioxidant effects. Blueberries 4.1 Blackberries 2.7 Raspberries 1.5 Strawberries 1.8 Avocado You might look confused, but yes Avocado is a fruit with great health benefits. Great source of potassium ( 100 g provides 14% of the RDA). Per 100 g avocado has 9 grams of carbs, but 7 grams are fiber, so doing the math there are only 2 NET grams carbs. Avocado is a great source of monounsaturated fatty acids that protect you from heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer. Very rich in vitamins. So, don’t forget to put avocado on your shopping list and eat it daily. It does miracles to your overall health. Coconut Coconut meat is what you should eat. Fresh or dried. You can add it to your smoothies. Helps with digestion and elimination. Great for weight loss because coconut contai Continue reading >>
The 'eat This Not That' Guide To The Keto Diet
The ketogenic diet can be dizzyingly complicated. You want to load up on fats and protein, and keep your carb intake low—but all fats and proteins aren’t alike, and there are some veggies higher in carbohydrates than others. Oh, and fruit is pretty much banned. But don’t worry: We’ve put together the best and worst of each category so you can go keto with confidence. Fats Eat this: Play Video Play Loaded: 0% Progress: 0% Remaining Time -0:00 This is a modal window. Foreground --- White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan --- Opaque Semi-Opaque Background --- White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan --- Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window --- White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan --- Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Default Monospace Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Sans-Serif Casual Script Small Caps Defaults Done Saturated fats including coconut oil, ghee, grass-fed butter, duck fat, tallow, and lard—all essential for a healthy immune system, dense bones, and proper testosterone levels. Monounsaturated fats like olive, avocado, macadamia, and almond oils, which boost heart health and provide vitamin E—important for vision and a strong immune system. Polyunsaturated omega-3s such as wild-caught salmon, sardines, and sustainably harvested seafood—to prevent heart disease and stroke and reduce blood pressure. Medium-chain triglycerides, fatty acids that are easily absorbed and used for energy. Linked to weight loss, MCTs increase satiety and rev-up metabolism. Not that: Refined fats and oils like sunflower, canola, soybean, grapeseed, and corn oils, which have been processed at high Continue reading >>
Ketogenic Diet
Tweet Ketogenic diets are very effective at achieving two common aims of diabetes control, lowering blood glucose levels and reducing weight What is the ketogenic diet? A ketogenic diet is a very low-carb diet, considered to be when you eat a level of carbohydrate of around 30g of carbohydrates per day or below. This encourages the body to get its energy from burning body fat which produces an energy source known as ketones. The diet helps to lower the body's demand for insulin which has benefits for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Note that it is important that you speak to your doctor if you are considering following the diet as precautions may need to be taken before starting. How a ketogenic diet works On a ketogenic diet, blood glucose levels are kept at a low but healthy level which encourages the body to break down fat into a fuel source known as ketones. The process of breaking down or ‘burning’ body fat is known as ketosis. People on insulin will typically require smaller doses of insulin which leads to less risk of large dosing errors. The diet helps burn body fat and therefore has particular advantages for those looking to lose weight, including people with prediabetes or those otherwise at risk of type 2 diabetes. How to follow a ketogenic diet Based on the understanding that carbohydrate is the macronutrient that raises blood glucose the most, the primary goal of a ketogenic diet is to keep consumption lower than that of a traditional low carbohydrate diet with moderate protein and a very high fat content. This will determine the nutrient density of the ketogenic diet as well as how to follow it, as different foods will have different effects on insulin and blood sugar levels. Which foods to eat on a ketogenic diet There are a number of differen Continue reading >>
Low Carb Fruits For The Ketogenic Diet
The top three “fruits” on this list hardly exemplify the prototypical image of fruits in our minds, and it should come as no surprise. Fruits are typically banished from everyone’s keto diet shopping list, and for good reason. They simply pack too much sugar, and sugar is what we’re supposed to be avoiding at all costs, right? While this assertion may be true for most fruits, it turns out that there are a few delicious berries that provide very manageable carb content at a reasonable serving size. Two ounces of raspberries every day would certainly be enough for most people. You can always grab another 2oz for a total of 14 grams of net carbs. This will require some macro gymnastics if you’re hoping to enjoy balanced meals for the rest of the day, however. Advertisement The net carb content of the acids near the top of this list actually accounts for more than a few generous squeezes. In other words, a wedge of lime is not going to be your downfall. And yes, the blueberry barely placed. What a disappointing showing for the fruit of intellectuals. With roughly 7 grams of sugar per 2 ounces, the kick is hardly noticeable. One could never guess based on the subtle bite each dainty berry provided for our tastebuds, as they were just that. Subtle. Too subtle for the price of admission. The rest of the berry gang just may be better off without it, but then again, stock photographers play by different rules. Advertisement Time to address the elephant in the room. Rhubarb is not a fruit. Or at least, rhubarb fails the eye test at first glance. It looks like red celery. When raw, it feels like celery. Hard, bitter, fibrous, and about as enjoyable as a spoonful of cough syrup. Except, that’s not rhubarb at all. Rhubarb measures like a vegetable but tastes like a fruit Continue reading >>
The Truth About Fruit
Fruit is nature’s candy. Naturally sweet and juicy, it’s a dietary favorite and a pretty big staple in Western culture. Most fruit is also decidedly not keto-friendly. But why? We get that question over and over. After all, isn’t the sugar in fruit “natural?” Doesn’t it have tons of fiber? The answer those questions are yes, and it depends on the fruit, respectively. But those answers do not necessarily make for a keto-friendly food. Remember, sugar itself is completely natural. Regular old table sugar is usually derived from the juice of the sugar cane or sugar beet. It’s essentially juice that’s been clarified and dried into crystals. Perfectly natural. Still not keto. The big disconnect seems to be in the commonly held notion that fructose, what we call “fruit sugar,” is somehow better for you than regular table sugar? But is that so? There does seem to be some scientific evidence that fructose is metabolized differently. It is not readily used by most cells in the rest of the body and so it is primarily processed by the liver instead. There also seems to be no blood glucose or insulin response from fructose. All of this would seem to add up to fruit being friendly. Not so fast. The problems with fruit are two-fold. First, as any diabetic who tests regularly will tell you, they do see an increase in blood glucose after eating fruit. Increases in insulin response follow increases in blood glucose, both of which we try to keep low on keto. Second, there is scientific evidence that increased fructose consumption not only leads to weight gain, occurring primarily in visceral belly fat, but has other, very serious adverse health consequences. Let’s take them one at a time. Blood glucose increases after consuming fruit It does seem to be true that fru Continue reading >>
