Keto Diet For Beginners: What You Need To Know

Although the concept has been around for a long time, Keto Diet has had a resurgence in popularity as an effective way to lose weight. But what exactly is it? And is it right for everyone? You may have seen some controversy around this diet. There are plenty of pros and some cons. The keto diet must be strictly followed to be effective, but the results can be impressive. And it is not for everyone. Here’s what you need to know.

What is Keto Diet?

Keto diet is based on the concept of ketosis, where your body extracts ketones from fat and burns it for energy instead of carbohydrates. Your body’s cells typically convert the glucose from foods rich in carbohydrates and sugars into fuel.

By eating mostly fats and minimal carbs, the body is forced to switch from glucose to ketones as its energy source. It does this by pulling fatty acids from the body’s fat cells or food sources and sending them to the liver to convert the fatty acids to ketones.

The keto diet restricts the number of carbs and increases the amount of healthy fats in your system. By doing this, your body is forced to switch over to ketosis as its primary way of providing energy.

Is it Right for You?

Adopting the keto diet can lead to significant weight loss, and most people on the keto diet feel less hungry and find more success compared to many other diet plans available. However, there are a lot of differing opinions regarding the long term effects of keto.

In general, you should always consult a doctor before starting keto. Because ketosis involves extensive use of the liver, individuals who have liver problems may be sensitive to this diet. Also, people with diabetes may need to alter their medication before starting keto.

How to Choose a Meal Plan

If you have determined that you’re a good candidate for keto, the next step is to learn how to implement it. Once you get used to cutting out processed foods and other carbs, finding delicious keto-friendly meals is pretty straightforward. And, because it is such a popular diet, there are a variety of ready-made foods that all have the keto stamp.

The main idea of your meal plan should rest on a particular fat/protein/carbohydrate ratio. Most experts suggest you consume 70% fat, 20% protein, and 10% carbs daily. Keep in mind; this ratio should consist of primarily healthy fats and non-processed carbs.