The Keto Diet is something I have been hearing about for several months now. A high fat low carb diet is not something that I knew would be a sustainable lifelong diet for me so I didn’t pay much attention to it. Recently, my dad purchased a book for me called “The Complete Ketogenic Diet for Beginners” by Amy Ramos. This book was very informative and I recommend it to anyone thinking about trying the Keto Diet. Amy lists the benefits of Ketosis, the process of your body burning fat cells as fuel instead of burning glycogen stores. It sounds obvious, but the Keto Diet is not meant to be a sustainable lifelong diet. It is something she recommends you do for 4-8 weeks and then intermittently as time goes on. One reason I like Amy’s explanation of the Keto Diet is that she explains the point is to eat healthy fats like Avocado, not fried chicken from a fast food restaurant. Although that could be “Keto friendly” it isn’t heart healthy and you wouldn’t be getting the benefits that you get by eating whole foods. With that being said, here are the top 5 benefits of the Keto Diet:
1: Weight Loss
I work out regularly and I eat very clean but I do feel like I have hit a plateau and would like to see if this diet can jump start my metabolism again. Weight loss on the Keto Diet is dependent on your body producing Ketones which it can burn for energy instead of glycogen stores (sugar). It is important not to deviate from the diet before you reach Ketosis or you risk not producing Ketones
2: Heart Healthy
Many members in my family suffer from high blood pressure despite a healthy lifestyle and avoidance of tobacco. Anything I can do to limit my chances of heart disease is important to me. By lowering bad cholesterol, aiding in weight loss, and preventing obesity this diet is heart healthy
3: Brain Health
Healthy fats are absolutely necessary for healthy brain function. I have heard stories of body builders cutting weight 2-3 days early and losing all coherence. Doctors recommend fatty fish like salmon to improve brain function, and this diet will definitely provide you with plenty of healthy fats. There are even studies out there that are testing the effects this diet has on patients with Alzheimer’s and Epilepsy.
4: Reduces Inflammation
As a lifelong athlete, inflammation in my body from old injuries or stress on my body can be very uncomfortable. I am interested to test this theory out after 4-6 weeks
5: Appetite Control:
This goes hand in hand with weigh loss. Foods high in fat will keep you full longer than if you ate a breakfast of only carbs. When you aren’t hungry you won’t eat so you will be less likely to overeat on this diet.
I will do a follow up post in 4-6 weeks to let you know my experience with Keto!
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