Im Dying To Know: Will The Keto Diet Help Me Lose Weight
As mentioned, there are a few reasons why the keto diet usually equals weight-loss gold, says Keatley. For starters, people usually reduce their daily caloric intake to about 1,500 calories a day because healthy fats and lean proteins make you feel fuller soonerand for a longer period of time. And then theres the fact that it takes more energy to process and burn fat and protein than carbs, so you’re burning slightly more calories than you did before. Over time, this can lead to weight loss.
Amazing keto transformations
Everyone is different, and how much you weigh when you start the diet matters, but you could safely lose around one to two pounds a week on keto, Keatley says. “It’s sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on the individual’s caloric needs,” he adds.
Worth noting: The keto diet isnt a miracle fat burner, says Keatley. The calories in fat are still calories, so working out and keeping total intake at a reasonable level is the only way it works, he says. Being on a keto diet but eating more calories than you need will still add fat to your frame.
Keto Macros: Carbs Protein & Fat
When following a keto diet, the idea is to eat very few carbs, a moderate amount of protein, and just as much fat as you need to feel satisfied, rather than stuffed.
CarbohydratesLimit carbs to 20 or fewer grams of net carbs per day, or 5 to 10% of calories. Although its possible that you may not need to be this strict, eating fewer than 20 grams of net carbs every day virtually guarantees that youll be in nutritional ketosis. Learn more >
ProteinEat enough protein to meet your needs. Most people need at least 70 grams per day, or 20 to 35% of calories from protein. Learn more >
FatInclude enough fat to add flavor. Theres no reason to add lots of fat unless you need extra calories. Plus, many whole foods like eggs and meat contain plenty of fat. On a keto diet, about 60 to 75% of your calories come from fat. Learn more >
Related content
If you are wondering what kind of results you can expect from a keto diet, the answer depends on how strict you are, along with a number of other factors.
Evidence shows that keto diets help with weight loss, blood sugar control, and many other conditions.8 But outcomes from even the most well-run study are still an average of what each participant experienced.
That means that your experience with keto will be unique. Your weight loss and health improvements may be sudden and dramatic or they may be slow but steady.
What benefits might you experience by switching to a keto diet? Quite a few, possibly.
It works!
Top Keto Diet Plan Questions
How do I get started on the keto diet?beginners guidefree 14-day meal plansfree keto recipes2-week Get Started ChallengeCan I drink alcohol on a keto diet?Full keto alcohol guide Can you eat a vegetarian keto diet plan?lower-carb veganLearn morecollection for vegetarian recipesCan you eat a dairy-free keto diet plan?Learn more and find dairy-free recipesCan I eat fruit when following a keto diet plan?Full guide to keto fruits
You May Like: Low-carb And Low-fat Diet Together
What Fruits Can You Eat On A Low
You may have heard that most fruits contain a ton of sugar, but to be honest, that is a natural source of sugar, and more importantly, theyre packed with fiber and lots of phytonutrients. That doesnt always make it low carb, but dont overlook the good because of your fear of carbs. My rule of thumb with fruits is that most berries are basically low carb, but be mindful of portion sizes. It can be very easy to toss back a couple handfuls of blueberries, especially when they are fresh and you pick them yourself.
On a low-carb diet , you may be able to squeeze in two or three fruits a day, if that is your biggest source of carbs.
The following are some of my top choices:
- Raspberries Half a cup contains 3 grams of carbs.
- Blackberries Half a cup contains 4 grams of carbs.
- Strawberries Eight medium-sized contains 6 grams of carbs.
- Plum One medium-sized contains 7 grams of carbs.
- Clementine One medium-sized contains 8 grams of carbs.
- Kiwi One medium-sized contains 8 grams of carbs.
- Cherries Half a cup contains 8 grams of carbs.
- Blueberries Half a cup contains 9 grams of carbs.
- Cantaloupe One cup contains 11 grams of carbs.
- Peach One medium-sized contains 13 grams of carbs.
The Ketogenic Diet Reduces Your Lifespan

I found one study that claimed that a low-carb diet shortens a lifespan. When I took acloser look, I found that the researchers had a conflict of interest because they hadreceived fees from large pharmaceutical companies. Additionally, this âstudyâ was basedonly on questionnaires using peopleâs memories of what their diets had been like.
Myth #4
Read Also: Paleo Diet Food List Not Allowed
Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes
Initiation of a Low-Carb Lifestyle
After a shared decision-making process with the patient, there are numerous ways to start a patient on a low-carb diet. Low-carb nutrition may be advisable for those who desire healthy or athletic performance, weight loss, improvement of glycemic control for type 1 or 2 diabetes, or a seizure disorder.
- First, understanding what macronutrients are and their relation to food is a critical part of counseling.
- Secondly, determine the patient’s desire for either small steps or a rapid induction phase through motivational interviewing and S.M.A.R.T goal setting.
- Limitation of added sugar and refined carbohydrates is critical in the overall improvement of food quality and will generally reach a moderate carbohydrate level.
- A way to initiate low-carb is through a rapid induction phase of 2 to 4 weeks, with 20 to 50 gms of carbohydrates to induce nutritional ketosis. Ad libitum vegetables that grow above the ground and are lower in carbohydrate content are encouraged. Additionally, carbs should be limited to those found in whole, unprocessed food.
- Finally, after the induction phase, depending on goals, patients can remain in the keto phase or slowly add healthy carbohydrates from whole, unprocessed vegetables and low-glycemic, high fiber fruit .
Maintenance of a Low-Carb Lifestyle
I Also Keep Seeing Offshoots Of Keto Like Lazy Keto Thoughts
When something is popular, its pretty much a guarantee that people are going to come up with new or easier ways of doing it. Enter the lazy keto and dirty keto diets. With lazy keto, people try to limit their carb intake to 20 to 50 grams a day but dont really track it with dirty keto, people generally follow the same macronutrient breakdown as “regular” keto, but it doesn’t matter where those macronutrients come from.
Keatley has somethoughts about those. Dirty keto is a waste of your time since good habits have not been developed and it is simply too easy to fall back into a high-calorie diet, he says. If youre trying to do a lazy keto diet, he recommends following the USDAs MyPlate instead and monitoring your meals based on proportions vs. macros. Its easier, more flexible, and has shown, when combined with moderate exercise, to be effective over the long term, he says.
You May Like: Anti Inflammatory Diet Mayo Clinic
Know What Foods Are Low
Once you get the hang of what you can eat, it will be much easier to dodge the foods that would hinder your diet plan. In a nutshell, low-carb foods consist of eating lean meats, fish, eggs, and leafy greens. Nuts, seeds, and some fruits are acceptable as well. You can also enjoy unsweetened dairy products such as plain whole milk and plain Greek yogurt.
Risks And Side Effects
Is a low-carb diet dangerous? A balanced high-protein, low-carb diet can be healthy and nutritious, plus associated with a number of impressive health benefits.
However, there are several potential side effects that you may want to be aware of.
Overall, there seems to be a lot of variability when it comes to how low-carb dieting and changes in moods and energy levels with some people feeling great and others struggling a bit initially. This is why its important to pay attention to how you feel as you change your diet and make adjustments as necessary.
Self-reports, along with data from certain trials, indicate that very low-carb diets or ketogenic diets might increase symptoms like fatigue, keto diet constipation, brain fog and irritability in some people side effects that have been nicknamed the carb flu or keto flu symptoms.
However, this is usually the case when cutting back carbs dramatically to just about 5 percent to 10 percent of total calories. Most low-carb diet side effects usually clear up within one to two weeks of changing your diet, after your body adjusts.
Obviously, reductions in the desire to be physically active, experiencing brain fog and being cranky are pretty counterproductive for people looking to feel healthier and lose weight, so these effects are something to monitor.
You May Like: Who Has Diet Dr Pepper On Sale This Week
Low Carb Breakfast Ideas:
Eggs and Vegetables
Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet on medium heat. Add your favorite vegetables and cook for at least 1-2 minutes.
In a bowl, add one whole egg and ¾ cup egg whites. Season with Himalayan Pink Sea Salt and Pepper to taste pour into skillet and scramble together.
Low Carb Turkey Bacon, 2 Eggs And Cooked Tomato Breakfast
This is a quick and easy breakfast to make any day of the week.
Cook 2 slices of turkey bacon in a skillet on medium heat. In another skillet, cook sliced tomato seasoned with Himalayan Pink Sea Salt and pepper to taste.
Cook 2 eggs in the skillet with the tomato until cooked through.
Why Try A Low
There are many reasons to go vegan including the manifold health benefits! However, studies that demonstrated positive health outcomes looked at vegan diets in general, not low-carb or low-fat vegan diets.
These well-established benefits range from lower blood pressure to lower risk for type 2 diabetes, easier weight loss, better cardiovascular health, and a reduced risk for certain cancers!
Some evidence suggests that low-carb diets, in particular, are helpful with:
- Easier weight management
- Lowering triglycerides and helping the heart
Its important to note that the heart health benefits were only found in people with moderately low-carb intake who got their protein and fat from vegetable sources.
Harvard recommends to include some fruits, vegetables, and whole grains for essential vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients even if one is interested in a lower-carb diet.
to include some fruits, vegetables, and whole grains for essential vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients even if one is interested in a lower-carb diet.
When it comes to weight loss, the diet best for you is the one that achieves a caloric deficit and that you can stick with long-term. If thats a low-carb diet great!
Other significant benefits of a low-carb vegan diet, compared to non-vegan low-carb diets, are the reduced animal harm and environmental footprint.
For those with digestive issues, following a low fiber vegan diet can be helpful this eating pattern is also usually lower in carbs.
Recommended Reading: Keto Diet What Can I Eat
Keto Meal Plans Simplified
Youâll find it much easier to stay on your healthy keto⢠diet when you plan meals inadvance.
If youâve never planned out meals before, think about how you might be able to cook formultiple meals at one time. The salmon you eat on Monday night can also be part of yourlunch on Tuesday. Steamed broccoli or Brussels sprouts can accompany your grass-fed steaktonight and top your salad tomorrow. Drizzle olive oil, a good source of a healthy fatcalled omega-3s, onto your vegetables and you’re set for a delicious low carb keto meal.
In other words, you do not have to follow a long list of recipe ingredients. You can usebasic foods that take minutes to prepare.
Something else that will come in handy is the time you will save by not eating as often.When you’re in ketosis, your hunger will naturally subside and you’ll find yourself eatingfewer times per day. When you do this deliberately, it’s called intermittent fasting – and it will help you save a lot of money. Most people on keto and IF are eating twomeals and some even one meal a day. This is called OMAD .
Low Carb Dinner Ideas:

Low Carb Buffalo Patty With Balsamic Portabella Mushrooms And Spinach Recipe
grill buffalo patty seasoned with garlic powder, sea salt and pepper. Marinate large portabella mushrooms in balsamic vinegar and olive oil season with sea salt and pepper.
You can add these to the grill or cook on medium heat in a skillet. Steam or sauté spinach in olive oil and chopped fresh garlic and serve immediately with buffalo patty and mushrooms.
Low Carb Grilled Chicken and Roasted Yams and Butternut Squash Recipe
grill chicken breasts on the grill seasoned with garlic powder or chicken seasoning the other option is in a skillet on medium heat.
Peel yams and cut into chunks and place on cookie sheet. Look for butternut squash in the produce section of your local grocery store .
Toss with olive oil and herbs and roast in the oven at 375 degrees for at least 20 minutes. Remove from oven and toss well before roasting an additional 10-15 minutes. Serve with grilled chicken.
Recommended Reading: Raw Food Diet For Humans
How Intermittent Fasting Accelerates Fat Burning
Your body needs very little sugar to function. In fact, it requires just 1 teaspoon of sugarper day, which could easily be converted from the protein or fat you eat. You donât need anydietary sugar. However, the average American consumes 31 teaspoons of sugar every singledayâover 30 times the amount of sugar required by your body!
Sugar is highly toxic to the body. It causes damage to the nerves, affects vision, increasesthe risk of heart disease and stroke, and contributes to Alzheimerâs and other diseases . Keeping an eye on your stool and understanding whattoxic poop is can help prevent serious health problems.
When sugar is detected in your body, fat storing hormone will use it as the primary fuelsource. Not because it is a high-quality fuel, but because it is so damaging your body triesto get rid of it as quickly as possible. People mistakenly take this body response to meanthat sugar is the primary preferred fuel of the body. But as you can see, it’s not.
However, carbs arenât the only thing, which causes the body to produce fat storing hormone.Fat storing hormone production is triggered when you eat any type of food. As a result,every time you eatâeven healthy fat storing hormone levels in your body spike and block fatburning. Bodies werenât designed to eat and graze all day long. Which means snacking is avery bad habit!
A Healthy Keto⢠diet combined with intermittent fasting maximizes fat burning by:
Low Carb Diet For Beginners
There has been a lot of discussions lately about cutting back or completely cutting out carbohydrates from our diets. And not just recently, the discussion has been floating around as long as the Atkins Diet. So I wanted to give you an overview of what this diet is, the benefits of this diet, the foods that you should be eating and those that you should be avoiding to be successful on a low carb diet, so you can make good food choices.
So what is a low carb diet? Well, we broadly take in three main types of fuel: carbohydrates or carbs, protein and fat. Most foods are made up of a combination of these three macronutrients in varying quantities. So when I say low carb diet, Im generally referring to removing or restricting those foods that are primarily carb-based. Basically eating less carbs per day. Think pasta, breads, rice, potatoes and sweets.
Some low-carb diets are more moderate , whereas some limit your carb intake to even less than 20 grams of carbs per day.
Studies have shown that a low carbohydrate diet can help people lose weight and also keep it off. Reducing carb intake reduces the amount of insulin circulating in the body and this works to reduce insulin resistance, and also helps prevent and manage type 2 diabetes. However, you do need to think about the bigger picture than just macronutrients and to make sure youre getting all your vitamins and minerals through a range of healthy fruits and vegetables.
Also Check: Diet Drinks With Stevia Only
Low Carb Tips And Guides
To make a low carb diet truly simple and enjoyable requires a few new skills. For example, how do you cook low carb breakfasts that you love? How do you get enough protein? How do you eat more healthy fats? And whats important to think about when dining out?
Here are helpful tips to get you started.
How Do You Start A Keto Diet
To start the keto diet, you may have to toss a few things out of your pantry and add certain high-fat food sources to include in your daily meals.
Talk to your doctor or a nutritionist about what will work best for you. This is especially important if you have other dietary restrictions, such as being a vegan, vegetarian, or having certain food allergies. Experts can help you find alternatives or substitutes and come up with a meal plan that best suits your needs.
Before you start changing your meals, here are some questions you should consider or ask your doctor:
- Will the keto diet help manage certain health conditions?
- Do you need to lose weight?
- What are some of the side effects?
- Should you take or continue vitamins or supplements during the diet?
- How long should you stay on the keto diet?
- Should you exercise? If so, how much?
Don’t Miss: Mediterranean Diet Crock Pot Recipes