clever keto dieting (A complete beginner’s guide to keto dieting the clever way)
Clever keto dieting (A complete beginner’s guide to keto dieting the clever way)
The
Ketogenic diet is a low carb, moderate protein diet designed to create a state
of ketosis within the body as a means of losing weight. This probably didn’t
clarify things very much so let’s go through this a little slower.
Bodies
run on fuel. Usually, that fuel is found in blood sugar or glucose
which
comes from the food we put into our mouths? But the body can also run an
alternative fuel called ‘ketones.’ Ketones are made in the liver, from fat.
The
Ketogenic Diet then is a method by which we convince the body to switch
gears – that instead of running the body on blood glucose, instead, it works
off the fat stores, turning them into ketones which then do the job of running
the body instead.
This
sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? The problem is, it’s not as easy as you think
to convince the brain to switch gears and start using ketones over glucose. The
only way to get there is through a process called ‘ketosis.’
How
do we get there? Ketosis happens when we fast. But we can’t fast forever (not
without keeling over), and so we have to use different methods to get us where we
want to go. In the Keto Diet we reduce the carbohydrates coming into the body,
because, quite simply, carbs become sugar when digested.
By cutting
carbs down exponentially to very low amounts, and then increasing fat intake
(with a focus on the good fats, not the bad kind) you can convince your body to
go into ketosis without fasting at all.
So,
it makes sense then that there are very specific things you can eat on a keto
diet, and also very specific things to avoid.
We
start with getting rid of GPS – Grains / Potatoes/ Starches. And then put our
focus on fresh fruits and veggies (though careful of the carbs) and the good
fats, especially those found in proteins (various meats) and nuts and dairy.
With
so many different types of fad diets out there trying to convince you that they’re the one true
path to losing weight, the Ketogenic Diet comes out as being one of the more
logical choices.
Based
on the actual chemistry of your body, it just makes sense. And the success
stories can’t be argued with.
As with any diet, you should always check with your doctor before
beginning.