It can be tempting to want to try the latest diet that everyone is talking about, but it is important to do your research before making any major changes to your diet.
The keto diet has many potential benefits, but it is also important to speak to your doctor about whether or not the diet is right for you.
The Ketogenic Diet is a plan that emphasizes high-fat and low carbs. It is primarily designed for weight loss, which happens by eliminating most carbs from meals. Nutritionist VanDoren, C.
Doing this puts your body in a state of ketosis, which makes your body burn fat to use as energy.
The Pros:
- Weight loss
- Lower blood sugar levels
- Increased mental clarity
The Cons:
- Difficult to stick to long-term
- May lead to nutrient deficiencies
- May cause digestive issues
PRO: WEIGHT LOSS
When you go on a Keto diet, your body enters a state of ketosis, where it begins to burn fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. This means that you can lose body fat more quickly on a Keto diet. Additionally, the Keto diet’s method of increasing foods that are high in fat can help eliminate cravings and feelings of hunger.
CON: FEWER CARBS ISN’T NECESSARILY A GOOD THING.
Some folks – particularly athletes – might need to eat a high carb diet in order to maintain their bodies’ energy and endurance levels keto diet foods for their exercise routines.
The Keto diet could result in less energy and endurance for athletes, though. A high carb diet usually tends to create better performance and energy overall.
PRO: IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL FOR THE DAYS SPENT AT YOUR DESK JOB.
If you’re not an athlete, you might not do a lot of intense exercise. For many of us, we spend a lot of time sitting at desks in front of computers.
In this case, our bodies don’t need as many carbs and could function well on a low carb diet like the Keto Diet.
CON: YOU MAY NOT BE GETTING ENOUGH SUGAR.
Our bodies need sugar to function properly – it’s a fact many people don’t realize. Sugar provides energy and helps the brain work correctly. If you don’t eat carbs, glucose can’t enter your bloodstream, leaving you feeling tired and unfocused.
PRO: IT MAY HELP PREVENT CANCER
Some research indicates that a very low carbohydrate diet might help to prevent cancer. However, more studies are needed to verify this possible connection and to determine how strong the correlation is.
CON: IT COULD HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON HEART HEALTH.
The Keto diet is made up of mostly high-fat and high-protein foods, which can increase your cholesterol levels and put you at risk for heart disease.
However, there are ways to enjoy the Keto diet without all the unhealthy side effects. By choosing leaner meats and more healthy fats, you can still enjoy all the benefits of the Keto diet without putting your health at risk.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Keto diet can provide some benefits for people namely, weight loss – but it’s not without its drawbacks. Athletes and people with a greater risk of heart disease might want to try a different diet, as the Keto diet can have negative consequences for them down the line. For the average person, though, the Keto diet can help with weight loss in the short term.
Before you start any kind of diet, it’s always best to speak to a doctor to get their professional opinion. The great thing about Crisp Regional’s Weight Loss Center is that they have a team of doctors who can help you figure out which weight loss strategy will be best for you and your lifestyle.
