How does the ketogenic diet work? The goal of radical renunciation is that the body switches to fat metabolism.
The keto diet works similarly to the low-carb diet, except that fewer carbohydrates are allowed. With balanced nutrition, the body’s carbohydrates use energy suppliers.
If these are not available to it, however, since they are not taken up or hardly taken up over the food, the metabolism changes in the direction of a so-called Ketose:
Fats transform in the liver into ketone bodies, which serve as glucose substitutes. You can check our article “Habits That Cause Body Fat.”
These are then used instead of carbohydrates for energy production and ensure, for example, that our brain remains efficient.
The body is put into starvation metabolism and burns more fat for energy due to the lack of carbohydrates.
What is allowed and not allowed to eat on the ketogenic diet?
1. Allowed foods on a keto diet:
- Healthy oils so as olive and coconut oil
- Fish such as salmon, trout, tuna
- Any meat like steak, chicken, ham, turkey, bacon
- Low carbohydrate vegetables like spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber
- Eggs
- Nuts and seeds
- Dairy products such as cheese, cream, milk, butter
See Also: Ketogenic Diet Foods Allowed
2. Foods not allowed on a keto diet:
- Fruits, except for small amounts of berries
- Grains/cereal products such as bread, pasta, cereal
- Sweets and cakes
- Tuberous and root vegetables
- Legumes
See Also: What Is Ketogenic Diet Foods?
3. We should meet keto diet energy needs according to the following ratio:
- 0 % fat
- 35 % proteins
- 5 % carbohydrates
Consequently, the ketogenic diet is affluent in fat and protein, such as egg dishes for breakfast, salads or vegetables with roasted meat and avocado for lunch and dinner, and nuts as a snack.
The menu of the ketogenic diet does not allow much leeway.
See Also: What Can You Eat On A Keto Diet?
4. How long can/should one do the ketogenic diet?
It takes about 5-7 days for most to reach the desired state of ketosis until the metabolism switch to the point where the body gets its energy from fat.
Theoretically, you can then follow this extremely low-carbohydrate diet until the desired weight loss has occurred.
However, those who practice the method for a more extended period should eat as varied as possible and include enough vegetables in the menu.
Otherwise, there is a risk of undersupply of essential nutrients.
See Also: On A Keto Diet How Long It Takes Until You See The First Results?
5. Which fats should be consumed in the ketogenic diet?
Since most of the energy in this no-carb diet comes from fat, it’s essential to make sure you get it from healthy fats.
For example, sauté your vegetables in coconut oil, eat your salad with good olive oil, or add a dash of flax oil to your cottage cheese.
Also, good fat sources are avocados, which we can quickly scoop out with a bit of salt and pepper. Nuts and seeds as a bite between meals fit in any purse and are ideal for on the go.
See Also: Best Good Fats For Keto
6. What vegetables do allowed on the ketogenic diet?
Even if there are no restrictions in terms of vegetables in many other diets, the keto diet must also be careful here.
For example, root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, or beets contain comparatively many carbohydrates and must avoid.
Watery and low-carbohydrate varieties, such as spinach and other leafy vegetables, cucumbers, zucchini, mushrooms, or tomatoes, are allowed.
As a rule of thumb, vegetables that progress below ground are off-limits. Anything that we may eat sprouts above ground. In most cases, green vegetables contain only a few carbohydrates.
See Also: Ketogenic Diet Foods Allowed
The Ketogenic Diet As Therapy
The extreme renunciation of carbohydrates is supposed to help people lose weight and its use in medicine for various clinical pictures and complaints.
For example, the ketogenic diet recommends children with epilepsy, type 2 diabetes, or Alzheimer’s patients.
Also, heart illnesses, acne, and cancer illnesses are partially prescribed as supporting measures, always in consultation with the physician.
People with liver or kidney diseases should refrain from the keto diet without consultation with the doctor. This diet is also unsuitable for pregnant, sick, or underweight people.
See Also: Ketogenic Diet Benefits And Side Effects
Sport And Ketogenic Diet
This type of highly low-carbohydrate diet is prevalent among athletes.
Thus, some marathon runners and triathletes use it in competition preparation. The change in diet trims the body to obtain energy from fat stores.
On race day, easily digestible carbohydrates get incorporated into the diet.
In this way, the body gets quick energy in sugar but still runs on fat metabolism due to ketosis and can thus withstand long loads for longer.
Strength athletes use the effects of the ketogenic diet more for optical reasons: The body drains, and thus the muscles stand out better and are more clearly defined.
Tip: Snack Ideas for keto diet
You can remove the skin and stone from avocados and cut the flesh into wedges as a snack idea. Wrap a slice of bacon around each avocado wedge and fry in a hot pan until crispy all around.
Fat Bombs are a popular snack among keto followers for in-between meals. They are homemade, small, praline-like snacks usually based on coconut oil, cocoa butter, or other very fatty ingredients. In addition, depending on the recipe, cocoa powder, nuts, nut puree, or the like are added.
See Also: Keto Diet For Athletes
Does Losing Weight With The Ketogenic Diet Work?
Even though many are skeptical about the high-fat content of the keto diet, the fact is that this weight loss method achieves high success rates. At least as far as short-term consideration is concerned.
However, anyone who wants to lose weight permanently should look for another solution because the yo-yo effect ( people quickly gaining weight after a diet) does not stop at the keto diet.
The extreme restriction of food and the associated change in metabolism quickly after returning to the traditional diet because the lost pounds again land on the hips.
See Also: Lose Weight With The Keto Diet
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Ketogenic Diet
Possible advantages of the ketogenic diet:
- Weight loss
- Better blood sugar and cholesterol levels
- After the transition period, some report a decreased feeling of hunger
- Increased performance
We should note that a more or less prolonged transition phase precedes, which may be associated with some difficulties.
Disadvantages of the ketogenic diet:
- The body excretes more so-called ketone bodies, as organic compounds, through the mouth during ketosis. These lead to bad breath.
- During the conversion phase, many are plagued by fatigue, nausea, and digestive problems.
- Extreme restrictions in the diet, which are challenging to implement, especially when traveling
- High risk of the yo-yo effect (weight cycling)
- Possible undersupply of vitamins and minerals
See Also: Advantages And Disadvantages Of Keto Diet
Conclusion
The keto diet contradicts many nutritional guidelines that have proven healthy over the years.
Nutrition experts recommend that only 30-35% of daily energy comes from fat. According to keto guidelines, it should be about twice that. Overall, this form of nutrition is unbalanced and not suitable for the long term.
If you want to lose weight for a long time without weight cycling, you have to permanently change your eating habits and integrate sports and exercise into your daily routine.
See Also: Ketogenic Diet
Last Updated on 13/03/2022 by Buzz This Viral
