The Ketogenic Diet: Should You Follow It?

You’ve probably heard of the infamous Ketogenic (keto) diet, and if you haven’t, then the basic, low-carbohydrate diet may be more familiar. The keto diet is known for it’s low-carbohydrate, high-fat, and adequate protein nature and is adamant about restricting your sugar intake. It’s been followed and made famous by many celebrities including Halle Berry, Kourtney Kardashian, and Vanessa Hudgens. Some of the foods allowed on this diet are fatty fish, beef, pork, chicken, avocados, nuts/seeds, butter, eggs, green/leafy vegetables, berries, yogurt, and other dairy products.

So what’s the big deal?

Lovers of this low-carb diet claim that it can decrease inflammation, combat anxiety, increase energy levels, and even improve your metabolism and blood-sugar levels. Due to the increase of healthy fats and decrease in carbohydrates, your body enters a state of ketosis. When this happens, your liver produces ketones and these become the energy that your body uses rather than glucose produced from eating carbs. This can help your body burn fat first rather than glucose.

What are the drawbacks?

While the keto diet may seem like the perfect regimen for losing weight, it certainly has its limitations. For instance, it can be extremely restrictive. Most people consume less than 20g of carbohydrates per day, which is less than the average apple or granola bar. Also, the research on benefits and long-term effects are not yet clear. While this can be a great option to kick-start weight loss, it may not be for everyone! A balanced diet made up of whole grains, lean meats, and lots of fruits and vegetables is most attainable when you want to live a healthy lifestyle.

Additional Reading: Mediterranean Diet

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Becky Hager

Becky Hager, RD, LD, CPT, is a dietitian with the Total Weight Loss Center. Becky has worked as a dietitian at NKCH since 2015. She graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in dietetics. Becky is passionate about helping others achieve their nutrition goals and improve their lives. Away from work, she loves spending time outdoors with her husband and two children, visiting family and friends, and listening to audiobooks.