Keto propaganda is just about everywhere these days, but what are the facts about this popular diet trend? Check out all you need to know here!
You’ve probably heard of the Keto Diet. It’s been around for a while but has gained serious traction over the past few years, with various celebrity endorsements adding to the abundance of Keto propaganda out there.
Not only do proponents of this low-carb, high-fat diet assert that it is simply excellent for weight loss, but many also claim that it can reverse certain health conditions like diabetes, improve heart health, brain function, and even clear up acne. Sound too good to be true? Let’s get stuck into the details behind these statements.
Did you know Keto was originally designed to help treat and manage seizures in children with epilepsy? However, in recent times, large numbers of people have adopted the diet, stating that it’s a godsend for weight loss.
The idea behind Keto is to put your body in a state of Ketosis, a metabolic adaptation that allows us to survive in a period of scarcity. Once this state is reached, we start to break down Ketone bodies, (a kind of fuel the liver produces from fat), rather than using the sugar (or glucose) from carbohydrates.
As a general rule, the Keto diet requires you to consume 75% of your calories from fat, 15% from protein, and only 5% from carbs. To put that into perspective, an “average” diet contains only around 20-35% of its calories from fat.
The main foods consumed on a Keto regime are eggs, dairy, fatty fish, meat, butter, oils, seeds, nuts, and low-carb veggies. Some people even have what they call “fat-bombs,” which are amounts of unsweetened chocolate or coconut oil, in order to reach their daily fat goals. It takes around 72 hours of eating in this way for the state of ketosis to kick in.
Although Keto claims to have a plethora of health benefits, you should proceed with caution due to the adverse effects such an extreme diet can have on your body.
Doctors have commented that putting yourself in a state of Ketosis can initially cause flu-like symptoms, including decreased energy, dizziness, an upset stomach, and mood swings. In the long term, it can contribute to low blood pressure, nutrient deficiencies, constipation, kidney stones, and a higher risk of heart disease. Those with conditions involving their thyroid, gallbladder, liver, or pancreas should also steer clear of Keto.
In addition to the potential physical effects Keto can have on the body, it has been noted by various health professionals that there are additional dangers of embarking on this trendy diet plan.
As with many fad diets, Keto is, for most people, hard to sustain in the long term. Consequently, people often experience large fluctuations in weight, and generally find it difficult to stick to the plan. In turn, this can eventually lead to disordered eating, and in some circumstances, social isolation.
People should also be aware that restricting large food groups is often not good for our general health. For example, the Keto diet restricts things such as fresh vegetables and fruit, as well as whole grains and lower-fat dairy, all of which are proven to be beneficial for our bodies.
Just like with any popular diet trend, the Keto propaganda can be convincing. Before you embark on a major diet change, we recommend doing your research, speaking to your doctor, and making sure you know all the risks involved.
Don’t restrict yourself, and most of all, stay happy and healthy! Let’s share some food positivity! What are your favorite foods that always make you feel amazing? Hit us up on socials, tagging @mobilestylesapp on Insta, Facebook, and Twitter.
The #1 on-demand health and beauty app connecting you with local, vetted PROs.
With MOBILESTYLES a good time is any time.
