What This Dietitian Has To Say About The Ketogenic Diet Will Surprise You
You'll lose weight, even though bacon is on the menu, for starters. This article initially appeared on news.com.au and has been republished here with permission. If you have any interest in the world of diet and nutrition chances are you would have seen reference to a ‘keto’, or low carb, high fat (LCHF) approach to diets and weight loss.Used clinically for many years, specifically in the area of epilepsy where it is used to help reduce seizures, ketogenic diets are also known for their relatively quick weight loss outcomes. Not a new area of nutrition but one that has become increasingly popular in recent years, the question is, ‘is a ketogenic diet the right diet for you?’ Ketogenic diets refer to diets that are particularly low in carbohydrates (ranging from 5-20%, or 20-50g of total carbohydrates and high in fats (up to 75% in total fat). This is as opposed to standard ‘diets’ which contain 30-50% carbohydrates and just 30% fat or less. Diets that are much lower in carbohydrate than the muscles and the brain typically need to function shift the body into a state known as ‘ketosis’ in which fat stores in the body are broken down into ketones which fuel the muscles and the brain in place of the carbohydrates when they are in limited supply. The result is enhanced fat burning and relatively quick weight loss as compared to a traditional dietary approaches. There is no evidence to show that keto diets are damaging to the body. In fact, with their superior weight loss and associated reductions in inflammation in the body, there are a number of benefits, particularly for individuals with high blood glucose levels, fatty liver and significant amounts of weight to lose. The primary issue with keto diets is that the total amount of carbohydrate consumed needs Continue reading >>
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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 >>
What To Eat On A Cyclical Ketogenic Diet
Carbohydrates are generally avoided on a ketogenic diet, but they can be utilized with hard workouts that push your body. If you sit all day and eat refined carbohydrates (like cookies, chips, and candy), your risk of heart disease and diabetes increases dramatically — bad. If you use carbohydrates as a way to fuel intense workouts or replenish your body’s depleted energy stores, then you can get the most out of your body without any negative side effects — good. The same principle applies to the ketogenic diet. When used incorrectly, carbohydrates can take you out of ketosis and lead to fat gain. When used correctly, carbohydrates can be a tool that helps you get better results. If you’re interested in reading about refeeding diets combined with keto, feel free to read more on SKD, TKD, and CKD: The 3 Ketogenic Diets > But before you pick up those sweet potatoes, we must first find out if consuming more carbs is right for you. If you are already on a standard ketogenic diet and not having problems with energy levels, consider sticking to it. If you are having problems growing strength and finishing workouts, a targeted or cyclical ketogenic diet may be a good fit. A Ketogenic Diet With Carbs? To follow a ketogenic diet properly you must restrict daily carbohydrates to around 20-30g of net carbs (net carbs are total dietary carbohydrates minus the total fiber). This simple rule should be followed by everyone who is on a ketogenic diet, but there is one exception — athletes. By “athletes” I mean anyone who is doing high-intensity type training multiple times a week. Some examples of high-intensity type training are bodybuilding competitions, wrestling, circuit training (like CrossFit), and resistance training for low reps with weights above 80% one rep maxi 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 >>
Is It Possible To Eat 20 Grams Of Carbs A Day And Still Not Lose Weight Or Be In Ketosis?
I mostly agree with the other answers, but for what it’s worth, I’ll share my (our) admittedly anecdotal experiences. If you’re seemingly struggling to get into ketosis then first of all review everything you’re eating again for hidden carbs, and be ruthless. We were surprised in the beginning how many supposedly low carb things are sometimes not really. Additionally, though perhaps more controversial, keep away from artificial sweetners for a while and see if that helps, in particular the soda pop variety. (Aspertame, Ascesulfame etc). The rationale I’ve read for this (don’t remember where), even though theoretically sweetners have no calories, is that there’s some suspicion that they are sufficiently “sweet” (even though “fake”) to also trick your metabolism into secreting insulin as it normally would…! And as you may now by now, insulin basically stops fat metabolism, but because sweetener doesn’t actually contain any calories it leaves your body short-changed. This may help explain (if true) how counter productive drinking artificially sweetened drinks really may be when trying to lose weight as they effectively therefore tend to suppress fat metabolism (if they trigger any kind of insulin response) and they therefore result in even more depressed blood glucose levels than you’d otherwise have, leaving you constantly hungry and making it more difficult to stick to a diet and more tempting to stuff your face full of food… Another thing to emphasize, don’t overdo the proteien. This is (according to Phinney and Volek, in the “The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living” and “The Art and Science of Lowe Carbohydrate Performance”) where most people go wrong when trying this, they eat too much proteien. As has been mentioned, the Continue reading >>
Is The Ketogenic Diet Right For You? Nutritionists Weigh In
You may be hearing a lot about the ketogenic diet as a way to slim down while noshing on butter and heavy cream. This way of eating is suddenly hot among venture capitalists in Silicon Valley, who believe it will help them live longer and healthier, CNBC reports. Some praise the high-fat/ultra low-carb plan for helping them to lose weight and have energy all day long. Other advocates say it finally helped them to get control of their body. How does it work and could it help you? We asked Bonnie Taub-Dix, a registered dietitian nutritionist and author of “Read It Before You Eat It”; and Keri Glassman, nutritionist, registered dietitian and TODAY Tastemaker. To start with, both said they would never advise the ketogenic diet for weight loss. “Cutting out carbs is usually an invitation to overeat them at another point,” Taub-Dix said. “For a diet where you’re looking to lose weight, look good and feel good… I would not recommend a diet like this.” “For safe and effective weight loss, the carb reduction is too extreme,” Glassman added. RELATED: Read inspiring stories of ordinary people slimming down in TODAY's My Weight-Loss Journey Here’s what you need to know: What is the ketogenic diet? It’s a diet fine-tuned in the 1920s to help treat epilepsy. It does help to control seizures in some children, but it’s not recommended for adults “mostly because the restricted food choices make it hard to follow,” the Epilepsy Foundation says. The diet has just recently begun to be touted as a weight loss plan, Glassman noted. She described it as eating “mostly fat with a teeny bit of protein and carbs.” How does it work? Your body normally relies on carbohydrates for energy. It breaks them down into glucose, which is your main source of fuel. If that� Continue reading >>
A Keto Diet For Beginners
A keto or ketogenic diet is a very low-carb diet, which turns the body into a fat-burning machine. It has many proven benefits for weight loss, health and performance, as millions of people have experienced already. 1 Here you’ll learn how to eat a keto diet based on real foods. You’ll find visual guides, recipes, meal plans and a simple 2-week get started program, all you need to succeed on keto. Get even more, custom meal plans, ask the experts and low-carb TV, with a free trial. 1. Introduction: What is ketosis? The “keto” in a ketogenic diet comes from the fact that it makes the body produce small fuel molecules called “ketones”. 2 This is an alternative fuel for the body, used when blood sugar (glucose) is in short supply. Ketones are produced if you eat very few carbs (that are quickly broken down into blood sugar) and only moderate amounts of protein (excess protein can also be converted to blood sugar). Ketones are produced in the liver, from fat. They are then used as fuel throughout the body, including the brain. The brain is a hungry organ that consumes lots of energy every day, 3 and it can’t run on fat directly. It can only run on glucose… or ketones. On a ketogenic diet, your entire body switches its fuel supply to run almost entirely on fat. Insulin levels become very low, and fat burning increases dramatically. It becomes easy to access your fat stores to burn them off. This is obviously great if you’re trying to lose weight, but there are also other less obvious benefits, such as less hunger and a steady supply of energy. When the body produces ketones, it’s said to be in ketosis. The fastest way to get there is by fasting – not eating anything – but nobody can fast forever. A keto diet, on the other hand, can be eaten indefinite Continue reading >>
After Being In Ketosis For A Few Weeks And Eating Carbs Does Your Body Still Burn Fat At A Higher Rate For A Time?
Most likely yes, but this isn’t necessarily a good thing. Let’s say you make a dramatic shift from a high fat low carb diet to a low fat high carb diet. Since you’ve avoided carbohydrates for a period of time, you likely will not tolerate them as well when you first reintroduce them. Since you are not burning carbs efficiently they may be stored as body fat, despite your body becoming so efficient at oxidizing fat for fuel. In my opinion this is the most likely scenario based on how the body works, but it doesn’t necessarily apply to everyone. You may not have been in ketosis long enough for this to happen. You may still be producing the enzymes that break down carbs. Basically, with our bodies and food intake, there’s always a compensatory effect. Continue reading >>
Can You Eat 50-100g Of Carbs And Still Get To Ketosis, By Offsetting Via The Gym, Swimming, Running, Etc.?
You have good answers already. I will however add the following points: You didn’t make clear whether you mean as a once off or as an ongoing daily eating pattern. It is much easier to answer in the affirmative if this level of carbs is more of an occasional event, which is then combined with sufficiently lengthy and intense exercise to burn the carbs and again deplete any stored glycogen. Also people vary, so whether you can consume that level of carbs and maintain ketosis partly depends how sensitive you are to carbohydrates. Bear in mind that you really have to do quite a lot of intense exercise to offset an excess of carbs, finger in the air I mean about 1.5–2h of running, for example. Also I’d like to point out that there is in practice as I see it a big difference between 50g per day (which is the approximate level recommended by Phinney and Volek, and may actually be low enough for some people to make progress towards ketogenic adaptation) and 100g (which is likely too much for most people and will likely cause people to struggle to get into or maintain ketosis, as I understand it.) So you need to be more specific I think. (To add, many of course find even 50g to be too much particularly in the beginning, which is why 25g is often recommended in the early stages to ensure your metabolism “gets the message”.) Ideally, in my view, to properly answer this question for your case, you should get a glucose & ketone meter and start researching your body’s behaviour, so you can objectively know how you respond to your chosen level of carbs, as well as how effectively your exercise actually depletes your glycogen stores and boosts your ketone production. I use the Abott Freestyle Optium Neo which works well. (See some of my other answers where I’ve recounted Continue reading >>
Here's Exactly How I Lost 50 Pounds Doing The Keto Diet
Of all the places to seek life-changing nutrition advice, I never thought the barber shop would be where I found it. But one day last January, after a couple years of saying to myself, "today's the day I make a change," my barber schooled me on something called keto. Normally, I take things he says with a grain of salt unless they're about hair or owning a business, but this guy could literally be on the cover of Men's Health. He's 6 feet tall, conventionally attractive, and his arms are about five pull-ups away from tearing through his t-shirt. If anyone else had implied that I was looking rough, I would've walked out in a fit of rage, but I decided to hear him out. I should clarify that I was out of shape, but my case wasn't that severe. I hadn't exercised in a few years and basically ate whatever I wanted and however much of it, but I was only about 30 to 40 pounds overweight. My barber went on to explain that this diet, paired with an appropriate exercise routine, allowed him to completely transform his body in less than a year, and all he ate was fatty foods. Once he showed me his "before" picture, I was sold. It was time to actually make a change. Short for ketogenic, keto is a high-fat, moderate protein, low-carb diet that forces your metabolism into what's called a state of ketosis. There's a much more scientific explanation to that, but it basically means that instead of burning carbohydrates (mainly glucose, or sugars), your body switches to burning fat as a primary source for energy. Keto isn't necessarily about counting calories, though the basic idea of eating less in order to lose weight still applies. This is more of a calculated way to rewire your metabolism so that it burns fat more efficiently over time, using very specific levels of each macronutrient Continue reading >>
Quick Start Keto
Low carbers know ketosis is the superhero of fat-burning. But what is ketosis? And how do you get into ketosis quickly? Keto FAQs and why it makes a difference in fat loss. 6 techniques to get into ketosis fast 3-Day rapid reach ketosis technique Try a few rapid keto techniques and eat specific low carb keto foods. Our quick start guide covers everything you need to reach ketosis fast. If carbs are limited to small amounts in your diet, your body relies on fat for energy. When you reach ketosis, fat burns rapidly and muscle tissue is spared. Why Does Keto Burn Fat Faster? To get into ketosis you’ll avoid sugar, leading to low insulin levels. Low insulin curbs hunger and accelerates fat-burning. Metabolizing fat and producing ketones burns more energy than metabolizing carbs. The result is a much higher calorie burn. How Do I Reach Ketosis? Ketosis happens when carbs are very low – usually when eating 20 to 50 grams of net carbs or less per day. (Carb grams from fiber are NOT counted in daily totals.) Everyone is different. Some low carbers must eat very low carb to reach ketosis. Typical Keto Ratio Getting into ketosis requires eating meals that are high in healthy fats and low in carbs. Protein grams should not exceed 20 % of total daily calories. Keto Calculator This free online keto calculator determines your ideal nutrient ratio for weight loss or maintenance during ketosis. The keto calculator recommends the optimum daily calories, fat, carb and protein amounts to help you get into ketosis – and meet your weight loss goal. How to Know You’re in Ketosis Keto Symptoms During keto, low carbers experience bursts of energy and heightened mood – just two of the big benefits of ketosis. Some dieters notice a temporary, sweet taste in the mouth or a mild, sweet b Continue reading >>
3 Day Detox Diet Plan: How To Do A Carb Detox The Easy Way
It’s possible to reset your body from all of the bad carbs you’ve had with a 3 day detox diet. No matter who you ask about losing weight they will tell you that carbs are the #1 thing you need to take care of. Carbohydrates are those sneaky things that we let into our daily routines that somehow end up causing us trouble. The problem with carbs is that they get converted into glycogen which is used for energy. Energy is good, right? Yes, energy is good, but only when it is used. The problem many people have is that they consume more carbs (and therefore produce more glycogen) than their body can burn. When there is an excess amount of glycogen then your body converts that into fat. Fat? Boooooooooooo! That is why you see some people that look like they can eat anything and not gain any weight while you might eat a muffin and put on 50 lbs. If your metabolism can’t keep up with your carbohydrate intake then you are setting yourself back. This is why a carb detox can be a very good thing. It helps to reset your body and give you a fresh start on things. What Is a Detox? Some people think that you can’t completely detox your body. There is no possible way to truly flush out all of the bad things and that might be true, but that isn’t important. The idea behind this detox is that you flush out a good portion of the bad stuff to give your body a fresh start. You are going to change the past 20 years of eating over 3 days. So in this case, a detox is simply the process of both abstaining and ridding the body of toxic substances. The result will be better health and energy for you. Why Do Most Detox Diet Plans Fail? Most people can easily see the value in doing a detox, but that doesn’t mean it works out for them. There are a lot of different detox diet plans out t Continue reading >>
The Paleo Guide To Ketosis
Ketosis is a word that gets tossed around a lot within the Paleo community – to some, it’s a magical weight-loss formula, to others, it’s a way of life, and to others it’s just asking for adrenal fatigue. But understanding what ketosis really is (not just what it does), and the physical causes and consequences of a fat-fueled metabolism can help you make an informed decision about the best diet for your particular lifestyle, ketogenic or not. Ketosis is essentially a metabolic state in which the body primarily relies on fat for energy. Biologically, the human body is a very adaptable machine that can run on a variety of different fuels, but on a carb-heavy Western diet, the primary source of energy is glucose. If glucose is available, the body will use it first, since it’s the quickest to metabolize. So on the standard American diet, your metabolism will be primarily geared towards burning carbohydrates (glucose) for fuel. In ketosis, it’s just the opposite: the body primarily relies on ketones, rather than glucose. To understand how this works, it’s important to understand that some organs in the body (especially the brain) require a base amount of glucose to keep functioning. If your brain doesn’t get any glucose, you’ll die. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that you need glucose in the diet – your body is perfectly capable of meeting its glucose needs during an extended fast, a period of famine, or a long stretch of very minimal carbohydrate intake. There are two different ways to make this happen. First, you could break down the protein in your muscles and use that as fuel for your brain and liver. This isn’t ideal from an evolutionary standpoint though – when you’re experiencing a period of food shortage, you need to be strong and fast, Continue reading >>
Reach Ketosis In 3 Days
Low carbers know ketosis is the superhero of fat burning. Want to get there quickly? Try a few rapid keto techniques and eat specific low carb foods. Why ketosis makes a difference in fat loss Fast 3-Day Keto technique Printable list of 200 keto foods Online keto calculator When carbs are restricted or absent from your diet, your body must rely almost solely on fat for energy. Ketosis happens when your carb levels are very low, 20 to 50 carbs (or less) per day. How to Reach Ketosis Quickly The fastest way to reach ketosis using your diet is by limiting carbs: 20 to 50 grams per day, or less than 10% of total daily calories. Some low carbers eat less than 5%. Specific diet and exercise techniques, such as intermittent fasting and high intensity interval training (HIIT) workout routines help you get into ketosis quickly and maximize your fat loss. 3 Day Keto Technique This keto method helps eliminate liver glycogen stores rapidly. Follow this plan exactly, and you’ll reach ketosis within a few days. Day 1 Eat low carb during the day or avoid fruit, starchy veggies, grains, sugary treats, rice, bread and pasta. Do not eat anything after 6 pm. Day 2 In the morning before eating, perform a HIIT routine, another kind of intense exercise or weight training. Start eating a ketogenic diet with 0 to 2% of calories from carbs. (0 to 5 grams of net carbs per 1000 daily calories.) Example: 2% of 1000 daily calories = 20 calories. Carbs have 4 calories per gram, so 20 calories = 5 carbs. Day 3 In the morning (before eating) perform medium intensity, steady state exercises or weight training. Continue eating high fat keto foods. (Optional) Add extra butter, coconut oil or MCT oil to your meals. Allow no more than 5% of your total daily calories from carbs. How to Know You’re in Ke Continue reading >>
How Many Carbs Should I Eat To Prevent Ketosis?
When you’re on a low-carb diet, your body kicks into action, breaking down fats into ketone bodies to use for energy. This increase in ketones -- called ketosis -- is a normal adaptation to cutting carbs. In fact, the switch to ketosis is why low-carb diets work. Even though you could eat enough carbs to prevent ketosis, it's important to clarify why you want to avoid it. There's nothing unhealthy about ketosis, so you may just need to correct any misinformation to make the best decision for your weight-loss goals. Video of the Day Deal With Concerns Over Ketosis Ketosis is often confused with ketoacidosis, which is unfortunate -- ketosis is normal, while ketoacidosis is a dangerous condition related to type 1 diabetes. Most people on a low-carb diet tolerate ketosis without any problems. Then after the pounds are dropped, carb intake is gradually increased so you're out of ketosis by the time you reach the maintenance phase. If you decide to stay in an induction phase longer than the low-carb plan recommends, consult your doctor to be safe. People with type 1 diabetes are at risk for developing ketoacidosis from lack of insulin. Due to the complex metabolism of diabetes, they end up with high levels of blood glucose and ketones, which upsets the body's normal acid-base balance. When that happens, ketosis becomes ketoacidosis, causing symptoms like thirst, frequent urination, dry mouth, nausea, belly pain, rapid breathing and fruity-smelling breath. If you have symptoms, contact your doctor immediately -- diabetic ketoacidosis is a medical emergency. You may be wary about ketosis because you've heard about "ketosis flu." It's not really flu, but in the first few days or weeks of a low-carb diet, some people experience headaches, dizziness, fatigue, constipation or wea Continue reading >>
