Unless you've been living under a rock we're certain that you've heard of the keto diet. Comprising of a series of low-carbohydrate diets including the Atkins diet, the South Beach diet and the Zone diet, the keto diet was first developed in 1924 and has since then only gained in popularity. Not only does it promise to help you shed excess kilos, but it also claims to do it in the fastest way possible. This is also why more and more people are now trying out the keto diet.
However, as it is with any other diet, the keto diet also includes certain food groups and asks you to exclude other food groups from your diet. While this might work in the short run, it can also lead to nutritional deficiencies. The diet includes consuming 5% carbohydrates, 75% fat, 20% protein. By doing this, your body goes into a state of ketosis which makes the body use energy by burning fat instead of carbs.
Now, what most people need to remember is that the keto diet is super restrictive and individualised which is why it doesn't really work the same for the general population. And as we mentioned earlier, in the short run, consuming a low-carb, high-fat diet can help you lose weight but it is highly unlikely that you'll be able to continue on the keto diet for long. In fact, the long-term effects of keto aren't even known yet so you never know how things could turn out if you follow the diet for too long.
What's more, whenever you exclude a certain type of food group from your diet, it can lead to nutritional deficiencies in the body. So, say you cut down on consuming carbs, your body will be losing out on nutrients like B vitamins, vitamin C, phytochemicals and fiber. So while you might think that carbs are actually bad for your body, some of them play a role in keeping your body healthy too. The key lies in choosing the right carbs like sweet potatoes, steel-cut oats, quinoa and fruits.
Moreover, people often form the wrong image of the keto diet. They think that they could consume junk food like cheese and bacon and still lose weight. While they might lose some water weight initially, in the long run consuming a diet that is high in saturated fats can actually increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
So, should you or should you not follow the keto diet? If you're still confused, here's something that'll help narrow it down for you. If you're able to stick to the diet without losing out on nutrition, then you should probably try following the diet for as long as possible. And if not, then it's best to just eat sensibly. So, make sure that whatever it is that you consume, you consume it in moderation and things should look good for you. Stay tuned for more updates.
