“We should all be eating fruits and vegetables as if our lives depend on it-because they do”
Michael Greger
The Ketogenic diet has grown in popularity in recent years as an effective weight loss method. Despite its popularity, the Ketogenic diet is not a safe or healthy way to lose weight. In fact, it can be quite dangerous to one’s overall health and wellness in the long run.
What is the Ketogenic Diet?
The Keto diet is a very low carb, high fat diet. You drastically reduce your carb intake and replace carbs with fat such as meat and poultry, fish, eggs, and nuts. The two most popular keto diets are the Standard ketogenic diet (SKD):
- 70% fat, 20% protein, 10% carbs
And the high protein ketogenic diet:
- 60% fat, 35% protein, 5% carbs
The Purpose of Keto
The purpose of keto is to put your body into a metabolic state where it burns fat instead of carbohydrates. This is called ketosis and it occurs when the body uses ketone bodies that the liver produces from stored fat instead of carbohydrates. Ketosis can only occur by depriving your body of carbohydrates. This goal is to lose weight quickly and reduce cravings.
Why You Should Never Try Keto
Carbohydrates are not the enemy and not all carbs are created equal. Complex carbohydrates such as fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and lentils are the preferred and most efficient energy source for the body. They are packed with vitamins, nutrients, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. The profound benefits of complex carbohydrates on the body are indispensable. Keto requires an almost complete elimination of complex carbs from your diet.
It also promotes the consumption of high amounts of fat. Fat from beef, pork, bacon, and eggs, which greatly increase the risk of hypertension, high cholesterol and heart disease are promoted with Keto.
Ultimately, the Keto diet encourages individuals to do the two things combined one should almost never do : consuming animals and animal by products and eliminate complex carbohydrates. The keto diet deprives the body of essential nutrients and to quote famed personal trainer Jillian Michaels when asked about keto, “why would anyone think this is a good idea”. A ketogenic diet has the following risks:
- Nutrient deficiencies from not consuming a variety of complex carbohydrates (fruits and vegetables)
- Liver problems
- Kidney stones
- Constipation
- Mood swings
- High cholesterol
- Increased risk of heart disease
The ketogenic diet is just another lose weight quick scheme and fad diet that will cause more harm than good in the long run. It is unsafe and unhealthy. Sure, you may lose weight initially, but the ketogenic diet is not a lifestyle that can be maintained indefinitely. Intermittent Fasting, eating food as close to its natural state as possible with minimal ingredients, and eating a wide variety of complex carbohydrates will ensure that not only will you maintain a healthy, desired weight, but that you will have longevity when it comes to your health.
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