Is Keto Dieting Right For You?

A Keto Diet is an ultra-low-carbohydrate diet that aims to put the body into ketosis, which is a metabolic state in which your body breaks down fat for energy instead of glucose from carbohydrates. Typically, the diet limits all starchy foods such as potatoes and bread, but allows for moderate amounts of low-carb vegetables including leafy greens, peppers and broccoli. It also includes high-protein foods like meat, fish, eggs and dairy and healthy oils such as olive and coconut.

A ketogenic diet is generally not recommended for long term weight loss. It is also difficult to follow and can lead to unpleasant side effects such as “keto breath” and constipation. It can also place individuals at risk for nutrient deficiencies, especially if it is followed over a prolonged period of time.

This type of diet requires you to consume a large amount of dietary fat, which can increase your risk for heart disease. It has also been associated with lower levels of HDL cholesterol and higher triglycerides than other diets. However, the exact reason for this is unknown.

A ketogenic diet can also lead to nutrient deficiencies due to restricting many fruits, vegetables and whole grains. This may lead to a lack of dietary fiber, vitamin C and certain minerals such as potassium, calcium and magnesium. It can also cause a deficiency of certain fats, particularly saturated and trans fats. In addition, the diet can cause an overload of protein which can cause kidney problems and excess fluid in the bowels.