We were at a work meeting a few days ago, and one of my colleagues said she started the Keto diet. A colleague told her – Keto? I love that diet! a friend told me it´s all about eating bacon!
At Nature’s Discount, we know that the Keto diet is based on fatty products, but before you start eating all the bacon in the fridge, we prepared this guide to get you started in the Keto lifestyle in the most adequate way.
First things first, What is the Keto diet?
In a keto diet, we reduce the number of carbs to a minimum and raise the number of fatty foods. A standard keto diet includes 75% fat, 20% protein and 5% carbohydrate-rich foods (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17332207 )
When the glucose present in carbs stops providing energy to our body, fats in the liver become its main source of energy and ketone bodies (ketones) start being produced.
Ketones will be distributed throughout the body as a nutrient, and our body will enter a state of ketosis, similar to when we are fasting.
Turn your body into a fat-burning machine … Even when you sleep!
By working almost exclusively with fats, it is easier for our body to access fat deposits and burn them faster, making us lose weight in a short period of time.
What foods should I eat?
A balanced keto diet includes proteins such as red meat, chicken, turkey, fish such as salmon, trout, and tuna.
Also, you can include the wide range of nutrient-rich green vegetables, and others such as tomatoes, onions, and peppers.
Other ideal foods for this diet include eggs, butter, avocado, cheese, nuts and seeds, coffee, dark chocolate, and olive, coconut and avocado oil.
These foods are not only appropriate for a ketogenic diet, but they also provide extra health benefits (source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ketogenic-diet-foods )
What benefits do I obtain from a Keto diet?
While losing weight is the main objective behind a good part of the followers of this diet, there are also other benefits that can be exploited.
As in its origins, the ketogenic diet can be followed to treat epilepsy. Also, and although they still need further studies, it can bring benefits to fight cancer, diabetes, and even conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and acne.
Dozens of studies prove the benefits of a keto diet (source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/23-studies-on-low-carb-and-low-fat-diets )
Are there any side effects?
More than a side effect, some people go through a period of adaptation, which is called “the keto flu”.
Symptoms of this flu include decreased energy, hunger, lack of sleep, nausea, and digestive upset.
What to do about it?
During the first few days, you can try to gradually reduce the number of carbs and not cut them to a minimum right away. Also, you can include an extra touch of salt in your food or take mineral supplements to maintain a balance in your body.
Lean on some supplements such as Keto Weight Loss, which was created to you help fight the effects of the onset of the Keto diet.
But there is not much to worry about! Just like the flu, this period lasts only a few days.
Without a doubt, the Keto diet is more than just a fashion statement. Stay informed, guide your steps with a specialist, and enjoy the benefits of a diet that goes beyond weight loss. At Nature’s Discount, we walk next to you at this beginning of a healthier life.