Keto Dieting – Is it Right For You?

Keto Dieting is all the rage, with reports that everyone from celebrities to ordinary people have lost weight and found new energy by restricting carbohydrates and eating more fat. The goal is to get the body into a state of ketosis, which happens when the body uses fat for fuel instead of glucose. The diet has some benefits, including weight loss and possibly improved heart disease risk factors, but it isn’t a good fit for everyone, and its long-term effects need more research.

While most herbs are fine to eat on a Keto Diet, you will want to be careful with spices that contain carbs, which can add up quickly. Look for seasonings that have a total of 3 carbs or less per tablespoon. Some of the best keto-safe spices include mustard seed, cinnamon, mace, and poultry seasoning.

Vegetables are also a key component of the keto diet, but you will need to be careful with how many starchy vegetables you eat. Starchy vegetables like corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes are high in carbohydrates and should be limited to one cup a day. Leafy greens and nonstarchy veggies, such as broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, and bell peppers, are all great choices.

The keto diet is also high in saturated fat, and limiting this nutrient is important to reduce your risk for heart disease. For this reason, it’s best to follow a ketogenic diet under the guidance of your doctor and a registered dietitian.