So you’ve decided to take the plunge, dipped your toe into the waters of Keto, and now you’re swimming in a sea of delicious fatty acids and smooth muscle builders.
If this is you, then congratulations! You’re making the right decision for your body and your health! We’re going to teach you everything you need to know about becoming a full-fledged Keto enthusiast.
There are certain foods that are going to aid you on your journey. Some of these foods are going to help you shed unwanted pounds, while others are going to give you an amazing flavor boost that’ll have you wanting more.
In this article, we’re going to tell you what you need to know about losing weight and keeping it off on the ketogenic diet. Whether you’re new to the ketogenic diet or you’re a diehard who’s been following a low-carb regime for years, this article is for you.
What Is The Ketogenic Diet?
As mentioned above, the ketogenic diet is a way of eating that has recently gotten a lot of popularity. It is a low-carb, high-fat diet that seeks to emulate the metabolism of a person who is in ketosis. Those who follow this diet are in what is known as “ketosis”, which is when the body’s stores of carbohydrate are being used to fuel the body instead of stored fat. When in ketosis the body is much more efficient at using fat for energy, so it’s ideal that you avoid eating carbohydrates whenever possible, as it may keep you in ketosis longer. The ketogenic diet is also higher in fat than most other dietary plans, thus making it a great choice for those who want to loose weight.
Why Should You Try The Ketogenic Diet?
There are many reasons why you might want to try the ketogenic diet. Some of the most common ones include:
- Losing weight
- Improving health
- Slashing cravings
- Getting energetic
- Increasing brain function
- Maintaining a healthy balance of nutrients in the body
Let’s explore each of these reasons in a bit more detail.
1. Losing Weight
It’s pretty obvious why you would want to lose weight on the ketogenic diet. After all, less weight means less strain on your body as you go about your day-to-day life. More importantly, those who are following this dietary plan hope to achieve a noticeably thinner physique, as excess fat dramatically improves your appearance.
2. Improving Health
Did you know that being overweight is associated with numerous diseases and ailments? It’s true! According to the World Health Organization, being overweight is considered a global health issue, as it predisposes you to such risks as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Additionally, being overweight can cause many other issues as well, such as joint pain, some types of cancer, and depression.
While there is no direct link between food and these illnesses, it’s pretty evident that having a healthy body weight is important for good health.
3. Slashing Cravings
If you’re someone who likes to indulge in snacks and sweets, than the ketogenic diet is going to be a lifestyle change that you will enjoy. Simply put, sweets on the diet are considered fats, and fats are what create cravings. Once you realize this, it’s not difficult to understand why you might want to cut back on the sweets. It could be that you feel better without them or that the occasional bite is helping you stay focused on your workouts. Whatever the case may be, cutting back on foods that create cravings is always a good idea.
4. Getting Energetic
Did you know that having enough energy to get through the day is one of the most important things for your overall well-being? If you run out of steam halfway through the day, it can be challenging to focus on anything else other than feeling fatigued and sluggish. Thankfully, the ketogenic diet brings with it a host of health benefits that translate to more energy!
First off, cutting back on carbs dramatically reduces the amount of sugar in your bloodstream. When your body is running on sugar, it is not performing at its best. Not only that, but it also causes you to become lethargic and dull, sapping your energy. Diabetics who switched to a low-carb diet experienced an increase in blood sugar levels, yet also noticed an improvement in their energy levels. Additionally, those who followed a ketogenic diet for epilepsy noticed an increase in their seizure threshold, marking an improvement in their quality of life.
In general, those who follow the ketogenic diet experience an increase in their mood, as well. Many people who have followed the diet claim that it helped them to become more positive and motivated, even when facing adversity. While science has yet to confirm this, it is certainly an impressive feat for a diet to have such a wide-reaching effect on a person’s mental state.
5. Increasing Brain Function
Did you know that eating healthy food improves your brain function? It’s true! The human brain relies on healthy nutrients to function at its best. For that reason, it’s imperative that you consume plenty of fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats to improve cognitive function. As we mentioned above, the ketogenic diet is rich in both healthy fats and vegetables, so it’s not surprising that it is used to treat epilepsy. In general, those who follow this diet experience an increase in their short-term memory as well as a boost in their brain’s processing speed, allowing them to learn and remember things more easily. Although, of course, more research is required, preliminary evidence suggests that the ketogenic diet may be able to improve cognitive function and reduce the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
6. Maintaining A Healthy Balance Of Nutrients In The Body
Did you know that the human body needs a healthy balance of certain nutrients to function at its best? As humans, our bodies are unable to produce certain vitamins and minerals, which is why it’s important that we get these nutrients from food.
If you’re someone who follows a vegan diet or a vegetarian diet, you already know that consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables is integral to your health and a good diet. Now, you might be wondering what happens when you don’t eat enough of these foods, or worse, when you eat too much of them? Turns out, you’re going to be lacking certain nutrients!
For instance, if you’re not getting enough Vitamin C, your body won’t be able to function optimally. At the end of the day, not getting enough nutrients can cause many issues, ranging from fatigue and poor immunity, to accelerated aging and damage to the brain. A healthy diet is important for a good overall life, so make sure you’re getting all the nutrients your body needs to function at its best!
7. Reducing The Risk Of Heart Disease
Did you know that having a healthy dietary pattern reduces your risk of heart disease? It’s true! Research shows that those who follow a healthy diet are less likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease. Additionally, a low-fat diet and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables help to keep cholesterol at healthy levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. It’s well-established that those who eat the food that our bodies were designed to eat have lower rates of heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. On top of that, cutting back on sugar and having more vegetables in your diet is also going to reduce the risk of prostate cancer, as well as many other types of cancer. We could go on and on with the health advantages of a healthy diet, but the list is extremely long!
8. Improving Joint Pain
Did you know that not getting enough nutrients can cause joint pain? It’s true! If you’re not getting the nutrients your body needs in sufficient amounts, then it’s going to be difficult to function adequately throughout your day, which in turn can lead to joint pain. For that reason, make sure you’re eating a nutritious diet that provides your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs to stay healthy and strong!