Ketosis is a state of health in which the body’s carbohydrate reserves are at such a low level that it becomes difficult to function normally. When in this state, the body starts to burn fats for fuel and uses the byproduct, ketone bodies, as an energy source. This is great if you’re trying to lose weight as it helps the body to be at its most efficient level- while in ketosis. It also means that the diet plan you’re doing may be working!
The only problem is that it’s really difficult to know how many carbs you should be taking in to maintain ketosis. Without going into too much detail, there’s a big difference between having a couple of slices of whole-wheat toast for breakfast and having a whole wheat bagel with butter and cream cheese for breakfast. The former probably won’t put you in ketosis, while the latter almost certainly will. It’s easy to overeat in ketosis, and that’s something you need to be careful of.
In order to lose weight while in ketosis, you need to figure out how many carbs you are actually eating using a dietitian or a nutritionist. There are three basic steps to reaching your goal weight:
Step one: Make sure you’re In Ketosis
The first thing you need to do to be able to lose weight while in ketosis is to make sure your body is in fact in this state. The easiest way to do this is to have a blood test to check for ketones. If you’re not in ketosis, you can’t go anywhere near a calorie counter or nutritional food database without risking going out of ketosis. Once you’re in ketosis, your body starts to burn fats instead of carbohydrates for energy, and the number on the scale starts to decrease. The number on the scale will also decrease if you’re in ketosis, even if you don’t lose any weight. This is because when your body is in ketosis, it’s naturally reducing the amount of insulin it produces, which in turn slows down the body’s digestion of fats.
Step two: Cut Back On The Extras
Once you’ve made sure that you’re in ketosis, the next step is to cut back on the foods and drinks that are causing you to stay in this state. The first thing to go is all of the foods that contain carbohydrates. These include fruits, breads, pasta, rice, and potato products. These foods have a way of sticking to your hips and making you gain weight. When you’re following a ketogenic diet, you’re not supposed to have any of these foods in your diet. You’re also advised not to eat too many fats, especially saturated fats, as these also increase your cholesterol levels and cause weight gain. Lastly, you need to avoid alcohol, as it contains carbohydrates and will encourage you to eat more. Wiping out all of these foods from your diet is the key to losing weight while in ketosis. It prevents your body from gaining weight due to insulin spikes caused by these food items and also ensures that you have enough energy to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Step three: Increase The Amount of Food You Eat
The final step in losing weight while in ketosis is to increase the amount of food you eat. When you’re in this state, your body needs more fuel to function at its best. The easiest way to have more food available is to incorporate more snacks into your diet. Eating a healthy and well-balanced diet ensures that you’ll have the nutrients necessary to enter ketosis and maintain this state. Incorporating more snacks into your diet will help you to achieve your goal weight. You don’t have to take snacks at every meal, but at least once or twice during the day should be fine to keep you in this metabolic state. You should aim to have snacks available at all times so that you don’t feel deprived during the day. Eating more frequently throughout the day will also help to keep you from going back to your old ways of eating and drinking, which may cause you to gain weight. The key point to remember here is that you shouldn’t have any restrictions on the foods you eat, except for those pertaining to the amount you’re allowed to have. Follow the guidelines set out by the ketogenic diet and you’ll be well on your way to a healthier lifestyle!
The number of carbs you eat per day can vary significantly depending on the person. Some people may need more than others due to their body’s particular requirements. There are several factors that determine how many carbs you should eat each day, including your age, gender, and activity level. As a general rule of thumb, you should try to eat between 20 and 25 grams of carbs per day, which is the amount recommended for most people to enter ketosis. If you’re still in doubt, simply have a blood test done at a nearby clinic. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water during the day as well to stay hydrated. Your health and weight will thank you for this simple and effective diet plan!