It’s a trap! I’m still getting asked, “What do you think about the Keto diet?”
The popularity around this fad diet is still going strong. Why? Because this diet produces rapid weight loss, is often seen an excuse to eat butter and bacon, and LOTS of people are talking about it!
Let’s take a closer look at this fad diet.
What exactly is Keto?
Extremely low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet, forcing the body into a metabolic state of breaking down fat to use as energy instead of using carbohydrates.
Why proceed with caution?
Studies are showing that people on the lowest-carbohydrate diets have the highest risk of dying from cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and overall pre-mature death.
If that wasn’t a big enough red flag, here are some others:
- MOST people will regain the weight they lost as soon as they go back to eating carbohydrates. Why? Because this diet is extremely restrictive and fails to address long-term sustainability and one’s relationship with food. Also, most of the weight that comes off at the start of the keto diet is water weight because as we deplete glycogen (the storage form of carbohydrates), we lose the water that is stored with it. When we start eating carbs again, that weight naturally returns.
- It promotes guilt and shame around our body’s natural craving for carbohydrates
- When we restrict a certain food or food group, it’s human nature to want it more. Often, people on Keto begin obsessing over carbohydrates, give up, and binge.
- It increases likelihood of diarrhea as your gallbladder tries to keep up with the copious amount of fat you’re consuming.
- It can impair arterial function and cause heart damage
- Other common concerns/complaints: constipation, hair loss, muscle loss, dizziness, vitamin deficiencies, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, brain fog, kidney stones or kidney damage
- It’s another massive money maker for the diet industry with Keto coming in around $5 billion
Takeaway:
The Ketogenic diet is full of attractive promises. The next time you hear someone promoting Keto, or any fad diet, do your research and proceed with caution.
What are your thoughts on Keto? Share in the comments!
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