What is the Keto Diet?

You might have heard the words "Keto Diet" circulating online lately. That's because more people are trying the Keto lifestyle every day, and many are seeing some notable results.

Its success rate has shown us that it's not just another fad.

Here are a few common questions people have, and the answers will help you to understand what Keto is all about.

What is the Keto Diet?

Keto is a shorthand way of saying "ketosis." At fist glance, it may seem like a standard low-carb diet, but there is a bit more to it than that.

Interestingly, it began as an effective method to control epilepsy in children. The diet applications were realized later. Keto causes the body's metabolism to go into ketosis, which results in burning significant amounts of fat.

What is Ketosis?

Already a well-known process in diabetes research, we've known for a long time about its fat-burning processes. When you consume low-carb, high-protein foods, you induce ketosis. 

In this special state, your body won't have enough carbohydrates on-hand to burn when you're expending energy. Instead, your metabolism will start burning stored fat.

When ketosis causes you to burn your fat stores, your blood will contain higher levels of ketones, chemicals created by the liver when carbs are scarce. Because of the resulting high ketone count, this state is known as ketosis.

What foods can I eat on Keto?

Keto Diet foods are low-carb, high-fat, and rich in proteins.

Some good examples of Keto-friendly foods are seafood and poultry. Cheese, a no-no in many other diets, can be a regular treat for you on keto. Not only does it contain many beneficial fatty acids, it also has calcium, which is good for bone strength.

Low-carb vegetables like tomatoes, avocados, lettuce, and broccoli are acceptable. Eggs and grass-fed red meats (which contain Omega-3s) are encouraged as well.

The list of acceptable foods goes on and on, and provides you with almost infinite variety for your meals.

Which foods should I avoid?

Stay away from the carbs. Breads, pastas, and grains are at the top of the list of carb-heavy foods to avoid.

Starchy foods like potatoes should also be excluded from your keto meals.

Don't eat meats that are breaded or fried. Fruits should be eaten cautiously, but preferably avoided altogether.

Why choose the Keto Diet?

Ketosis has been shown to not only be a rapid way to drop pounds and burn fat, but also a way to keep from gaining weight back.

Eating Keto curbs sugar cravings and can lead you away from feeling the need to binge on unhealthy foods. In the Keto Diet, the list of foods you can eat is longer than the list of foods you can't.

Few other diets allow for the enjoyment of cheese, eggs, and meat like the Keto Diet. This is a diet based on solid research and knowledge of the human metabolism.

If followed closely, it's likely to be the last diet you'll ever try.