It’s the craze! It’s all over social media, in the office– everyone seems to be curious about this diet. People who are overweight might benefit from some initial weight loss on the Ketogenic Diet but it avoids some of our healthiest and tastiest foods. When you avoid carbs, you give up a lot, making it monotonous pretty quickly. And, it’s not a new thing. Remember Atkins? This low-carb diet started in the 1970s and has been a hot topic ever since.¹

What is a Ketogenic Diet?

Keto promotes a high-fat, moderate-protein and low-carbohydrate diet (< 15% of calories, compared to the 50-60% recommended carb intake). Your body gets most energy from glucose in carbohydrates, such as breads, pastas, potatoes, milk, fruits and vegetables.

When we limit those, we limit our glucose fuel. Without it, the cells grab energy from another source.

That’s when fats come into play; like butter, avocado, oils, fatty fish and meat. These are the foods you can eat but they are turned into ketones which our body will use for energy instead of glucose. This is not a good thing as ketosis (burning ketones for energy) is actually not the way we should burn energy.

It’s a “back up” fuel, sort of like a reserve tank of gas.

The Keto Diet has problems, like excluding healthy fruits and vegetables, and whole grains which are almost all carbohydrate and where we get most of our nutrients and fiber. And, it’s really high in saturated fats which increase cholesterol in the blood.

Some people feel ill, nauseated and fatigued, and have vomiting, and/or constipation on this diet. It’s not good long term, as it causes kidney stones, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, and fatty liver.

The diet may work to lose some initial weight, but it is not sustainable. It also does not teach you how to eat a balanced diet that includes healthy carbohydrates. Eating carbohydrates is necessary to get enough glucose instead of tapping into ketones and putting your body in a constant state of ketosis.

Have a question about the Ketogenic Diet?

Post your question in the comment section below or email the food coach team.