The ketogenic “keto” diet has surged in popularity for the past decade. The keto diet is currently one of the most talked-about when it comes to losing weight. But aside from weight loss, this diet has benefits against life-threatening diseases. As a beginner, let this detailed walk you through and determine whether the keto diet is right for you.
Understanding the Keto Basics
If you are familiar with Atkins and other low carbs diets, then you will not have a hard time understanding what the ketogenic diet is all about. This is a low-carb, high-fat diet that comes with plenty of health benefits. By reducing the carb intake, it puts your body into a metabolic state called ‘ketosis.’ And when this happens the body burns fat for energy more efficiently.
Ketosis is the metabolic state where the body uses fat for energy instead of getting it from carbs. Ketosis often occurs when you reduce your consumption of carbohydrates. Doing so will limit the supply of glucose to your body which is the cell’s main source of energy.
Types of Keto Diets
When it comes to a keto diet, there are different types for you to choose from depending on your preference. But before you choose one, it is crucial that you know the different types of the keto diet that you can consider.
- Standard Keto Diet (SKD). This diet includes very low carb (10%), moderate protein (20%), and high fat (70%).
- Cyclical Keto Diet (CKD). This is where higher-carb refeeds can be done. For example, you can do 5 days with a keto diet and follow it up with a high carb diet for 2 days.
- Targeted Keto Diet (TKD). This diet is when you can add cards around your workouts.
- High Protein Keto Diet. Similar to the standard keto diet, the high protein keto diet includes more protein. Usually, the ratio is 60% fat, 35% protein, and only 5% carbs.
Ketogenic Diet and Weight Loss
Everyone knows that keto diets are very popular for those who are trying to lose weight. You are shedding off the excess fats from your body while lowering the risks for diseases. If you want to lose weight through a low-fat diet, the ketogenic diet is the most effective so far. Also, this diet is so effective that your body loses weight even if you do not religiously track your food intake and calories.
Health Benefits of Keto Diets
Before the keto diet was used for weight loss, this originated as a treatment for neurological diseases like epilepsy. And now, there are different benefits that is added to the list. Health conditions that can benefit from the keto diet includes heart diseases, cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, PCOS, and certain brain injuries.
Now that you know the amazing benefits of a ketogenic diet to your overall health and wellbeing, for sure you are more than interested to give it a try. So check out the different types of keto diet listed above that you can try soon. And before doing so, be 100% sure that you are ready to give up some foods that you need to avoid while on this diet.
