Debunking the Keto Diet
By: Isabella Scala
Recently, a diet known as the “keto”, short for ketogenic, diet, has become all the rage. Celebrities such as the Kardashians, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Halle Berry have all been big proponents of this diet, which encourages a higher fat intake with limited carbohydrate ingestion. So, what exactly is the ketogenic diet, and can you safely incorporate aspects of this diet into your lifestyle?
What is the keto diet?
As I said before, the ketogenic diet is a very regimented diet which focuses on cutting out carbs and eating lots of high fat and high protein foods, such as avocados. This puts your body in a fat-burning stage called ketosis where your body relies on burning fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. Your body normally relies on sugars (glucose) from carbohydrates to create energy, but with the implementation of the keto diet, your body should switch to burning fat cells, accelerating weight loss.
It’s tough to stay on the keto diet, as there are very strict foods you are and are not allowed to eat. Typically, on the standard keto diet, your daily diet should consist of 75% fat, 20% protein and only 5% carbs. This requires you to restrict yourself from eating certain kinds of foods, including but not limited to:
Sugary foods
Grains or starches
Fruits (except for berries, in limited amounts)
Beans or legumes
Alcohol
Sugar-free diet foods
While this diet may seem extreme to some, many laud the benefits as outweighing the costs: rapid weight loss, increased energy, mental clarity, and in some cases, treatment for conditions such as epilepsy and diabetes. However, is this diet safe for everyday life?
Safety of the Keto Diet
While celebrities and other famous users of the keto diet have personal trainers, nutritionists, and doctors keeping them on track, the keto diet can be dangerous if you attempt to implement it yourself without a consultation with your doctor. There are numerous risks involved with following the keto diet incorrectly, including nutrient deficiency, liver problems, kidney problems, and fuzzy thinking known as the “keto flu.” The symptoms of the keto flu include fatigue and mental fogginess during your first week on the diet, but symptoms are said to clear up after your first few weeks.
While the safety of the keto diet has been often called into question, the long-term effects of going on this diet have been questioned, as well. Many say that the keto diet is only good for short term weight loss, and does not guarantee long-lasting results. In fact, people who aspire to achieve long lasting results from the keto diet often “cycle” between being on the diet and maintaining a regular diet every couple of months.
Overall, the keto diet seems to be a strict, rather extreme way to control your diet, and without proper instruction from your doctor or nutritionist, can be very dangerous for your health. If you would like to implement any of these lifestyle changes into your diet, I would highly recommend talking to your doctor before you make any of these changes. And remember, while you may want to go on this diet to lose some weight, your weight does not determine your worth. Stay healthy through finals!
