You’ve probably heard of the keto diet before. It’s become very popular in recent years and is touted as a way to lose weight effectively, and often fast. While there are a few variations of the keto diet, the Standard Ketogenic Diet (SKG) is the most common version.

So, what exactly is the keto diet, and is it right for you? Read on as we dive into the keto diet and what it really means to eat “keto.”

Understanding the Keto Diet

The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet. That may sound like it wouldn’t work very well for weight loss, but the opposite is true. Here’s how it works: because of the drastic reduction in carbohydrates and the influx of fat, your body makes its way into a metabolic state called ketosis. This means that your body becomes efficient at burning fat to use as energy. Essentially, you’re shifting your metabolism away from using carbs for energy and toward using fat as energy.

Benefits of the Keto Diet

The keto diet is a great way for many people to lose weight. And because the diet itself is very filling, people are often able to lose weight without tracking their food intake closely or counting calories. The diet is also good for the heart, as it improves risk factors for heart diseases like high HDL cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, and overall body fat.

 

Note that athletes and bodybuilders who are on this kind of diet are probably on a modified keto diet, perhaps adding carb intake around workout times. This is because the body needs some carbohydrates during periods of high intensity, such as a workout.

Keto Food Choices

Someone on a keto diet will base meals around low-carb foods, such as red meat, chicken or turkey, eggs, fatty fish like salmon, cheese, nuts and seeds, and low-carb vegetables like onions, peppers, and tomatoes. Food types that will need to be fully or partially eliminated from the diet include things like beans, fruit, grains and starches like pasta and rice, potatoes, sugary candy or soda, and alcohol.

 

Take note: the keto diet isn’t right for everyone. And even perfectly healthy people will usually go through an adjustment period as their metabolism shifts — this is referred to as the “keto flu.” Be sure to talk with your doctor before changing your diet in a drastic way.

Go Keto for Great Health

For many, the keto diet is a great way to eat healthy and clean, and lose weight at the same time. Ask your healthcare professional if the keto diet might be right for you.