The Ketogenic diet is a healthy lifestyle that assists you in cutting down weight and even seems to have benefits for people suffering from diseases such as epilepsy, cancer, Alzheimer’s and diabetes. Based on feedback from Keto proponents, when you get on the diet, your mind will feel clearer, and your body’s energy levels will go up 💪
However, certain myths rear their ugly head every time someone mentions the Keto diet. So, we will blast away some of the misconceptions, and help you make an informed decision regarding its efficacy.
The Ketogenic diet
The Keto diet is high in fat and low on carbohydrates, such that it makes the body use its stored fat as the main source of energy. The transformation of body fat to fuel is what makes this diet a superior choice for losing weight 🔥 Like any other lifestyle choice, Keto diets are a means of getting your health in good condition. The best part about it is there is such a wide range of foods you can continue to enjoy like meat, vegetables, and fruits. So, whip out your keto smoothie recipes and start the weight loss journey 🤗
1. You can eat whatever you want
The keto diet is one of the most forgiving diets you’ll ever come across because your diet is not very restricted other than when it comes to carbohydrates. There is a perception that this is the time to go out and buy all kinds of fatty cuts of meat or oil-rich foods 🥩 However, this is not true, you need to be very careful about the saturated fats and if you can, eliminate them from your diet and focus on unsaturated fat.
You do not have to worry too much about where to get unsaturated fats because, there is a wide range of foods you can eat including avocado, turkey, red meat preferably from grass-fed animals, among others 🥑
2. Keto is not good as a long term life choice
The Ketogenic diet is simple to understand. You can eat almost anything you want 😋 Make sure your food is high in good fat content, and that the carb portion is small. Keto is an ideal choice to maintain in the long term, so long as you avoid sugary foods, wheat, high carb fruits and vegetables, and processed oils and dairy foods 👍
Some people do experience some downsides when on the keto diet, such as gastrointestinal distress, lower bone density, vitamin, and mineral deficiencies, among others. But, with the right diet plan, exercise and proper use of supplements, you will find that you can always safely use the keto when you want to lose weight quickly 👌
3. Keto is harmful when you are diabetic
The keto diet has been in use in the management of diabetes for quite some time. Because your body no longer has access to a lot of carbohydrates, the blood sugar content drastically reduces, and most patients say that within a short period, they were able to reduce or totally eliminate the use of medication.
The best thing about it is that anyone who is suffering from either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, can benefit from the keto diet. However, as a diabetes patient, please be aware that it could have the opposite reaction. It is imperative that before you embark on any diet, your doctor gives you the go ahead. Also work with a nutritionist who will draw up a proper meal plan, to ensure that you get all the relevant nutrients you require.
4. Keto will compromise your heart health and cholesterol
In some people, a low carb diet can raise bad cholesterol. However, the low carb diet will help the body lose weight quickly. Be careful though; you need to track of your body’s conditions and monitor your cholesterol and ketone levels.
By and large, the Ketogenic diet will raise good cholesterol and result in weight loss through calorie restriction. The body fat that is changing into ketones reduce the strain to the heart, and the body’s overall cardiovascular health improves. Keeping track of the cardiovascular markers to monitor heart disease will reflect positive changes in blood pressure, the good HDL cholesterol, and other markers.
5. The weight stays off even if you start and stop keto
The body burns off fat on the Ketogenic diet. However, you need to be careful when you stop the diet because poor dietary choices will negate all your hard work. When you start and stop keto, there may be lingering effects that continue to benefit your body for a short while after, but they will wear off after some time, and if you are careless about your food choice, the weight will invariably return.
You may want to shed weight for a certain reason, for instance, to fit into that sexy bikini or your wedding dress. Keto will help you achieve this, but you have to be vigilant about your diet afterward. Combine the post keto period with exercise and the weight will stay off. Remember, going on a diet requires a total mindset change. It requires that the same discipline you had when going on the keto diet remains for the rest of your life.
Final Words
Many myths surround the Ketogenic diet which may put off many people. We have barely scratched the surface of the myth pool. Others you should watch out for is that; you cannot consume alcohol, you have to fast, you no longer have to work out, among others. However, the Keto diet is a lifestyle choice that requires you to change the portions of the fats, carbs, proteins, and sugars you consume so that you get the benefits of weight loss, and your body gets help to fight diseases such as diabetes and obesity.
Debunking the major myths about diet frees you to make the right decisions. The overall effect of Keto is a positive mind and a healthy body; something we all crave.