Keto is one of many new diet crazes that seems to have taken the world by storm. Many clients come to G-Plans asking about the Keto Diet. So what’s the general consensus of it? We’ll let you make the decision for yourself, but here are some reasons you may want to hold on a sec before you jump on the Keto bandwagon.
New Name for an Old Diet
Don’t let all the hype fool you too much. The Keto Diet is another low carbohydrate diet. Of course, this diet does vary a bit from older, more famous low carb diets (i.e. Atkins). Keto traditionally is high fat, low protein and very low carbohydrate. Regardless of rebranding, what have we learned about low carbohydrate diets in the past? They just don’t last. Weight loss tends to happen rapidly while following any low carb diet, and that’s because you excluding a major food group out of a normal day! However, removing or dramatically reducing a food group that’s usually in your day-to-day meals usually results in a rebound weight gain effect if you re-introduce that food back in at a later date.
Did someone forget the fruit?
No surprise that following a Keto Diet includes removing the more enjoyable carbohydrates such as pasta, bread and potatoes. Traditionally when following Keto, it’s expected to opt for the low carb food always, which means limiting your fruit intake and watching which vegetables to eat regularly. Yes, it’s nice to be able to indulge on cheese and other yummy fatty foods as you please, but severely reducing you regular intake of fruits and veggies can have a negative impact on the body. It’s important to find balance in every meal, and remember that our bodies need carbohydrates for daily processes. Dramatically reducing your total carbohydrates limits the opportunity to eat adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables you need to get a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals. Fruits are nutrient-dense foods that are packed with antioxidants that help encourage and maintain weight loss among other things, and shouldn’t be limited!
But I’m Craving Carbs
Again we stress, your body needs carbohydrates! Carbs are not the enemy, and don’t let another low-carb diet tell you that you need to remove them from your life. Carbohydrates are a part of our natural metabolism, and are needed for many everyday processes. One of the hardest parts of maintaining a low-carb diet is the intense cravings for carbohydrates. Our bodies let us know when we need something. And if our diet is lacking a nutrient, we’re going to crave just that! Don’t force your body to metabolize foods in a way that doesn’t fall naturally – going against the grain just makes losing weight harder.
Before you consider jumping over to a Keto diet consider that this, like many diets of the past, is a fad diet. There are lots of restrictions that come with following Keto, which can often make a weight loss journey more of an uphill battle than it already might be. Putting large restrictions on what you can and can’t eat makes it harder to incorporate long term healthy habits – why make the challenge harder than it has to be? Finding a well-balanced, nutrient-dense, and enjoyable-way-of-eating is key to losing weight and maintaining weight loss. Don’t get wrapped up in another fad diet, stick with a diverse and flexible meal plan instead!