Have you been hearing the rumblings about the ketogenic diet? Well here is the skinny in a nutshell.
The keto diet is basically a low carb, high fat diet designed to kick the body into using fat, rather than glucose as an energy source.
Below are some researched benefits of the ketogenic diet:
Weight loss
When our body is starved of carbohydrates, we produce ketones which are created from the break-down of fats in the liver. Consequently, our fat storing hormone, insulin, drops and promotes fat burning which causes weight loss.
Diabetes
In addition to weight loss, this low carbohydrate diet lowers blood sugar and can be beneficial in managing diabetes.
Focus
Ketones and increased fatty acids fuel the brain which can result in improved concentration and mental focus.
Overall disease prevention
Body fat reduction in overweight individuals promotes a variety of health benefits and disease prevention. A keto diet may jumpstart weight loss,
promoting better health and well-being. Once the body composition goal is met, a general low carb diet may be an effective follow-up plan for many.
The standard ketogenic diet typically contains 75% fat, 20% protein and 5% carbs. Primary foods included in the Keto Diet include:
Fats and oils
Protein
Vegetables
Full fat dairy
Nuts and seeds
Fruits, vegetables and drinks with a high glycemic index are generally avoided.
Now that you know what the ketogenic diet involves, it's up to you on whether you try it. There are many sites that will give you detailed food lists and meal plans if you decide to proceed.
Although there can be great benefit to low carb diets, It's important to check with your physician before starting any new diet. Certain medical conditions may not be compatible with the ketogenic diet.
__________________________________________________________
Get your free full body express workout here! You don't need any equipment. It's fast, easy and effective!
If you need empathetic support with any new diet or exercise plan, check out these awesomely effective health coaching options. Susan Jensen is a certified fitness trainer, health coach and author. Her one-one-one programs are reasonably priced, incredibly effective and filled with weight-loss tools! For all the fab details, check them out here or go to swanfitcoach.com to learn more.