There are many different dieting programs out there, which all are competing to get your attention. They’re literally telling you to “pick me” and “see results fast”. One dieting program of such is called Keto. Keto dieting is resurfacing as a popular trend to lose weight and to stay in shape. What is Keto anyway? Is it a good dieting program to follow? Will Keto dieting help you to stay fit? We will discuss what to take in and keep out of this craze for the keto dieting.

Example of a Keto diet.

What is a Keto diet?

When people read about the different dieting programs all over the internet, they would come across many sub-dieting topics such as calorie restrictions, Gluten-free diet, healthy dieting, raw foodism, veganism, low-carbohydrate diet, etc. But there are two programs that can combine these sub-dieting topics in one. These two programs are the Keto diet and the Atkins diet. These two are related but the Atkins is a brand based Keto-llke dieting program.

The Atkins does look similar to the Keto diet. But this diet has been criticized in the past and it is still being criticized today. The Atkins diet has evolved and diversified itself. It has a variety of different Keto-like dieting programs with a number of stages to go through.

A Keto diet is mostly based on high amount of fats, a moderate intake of protein, a very low amount of carbs, and restricting calories as much as possible. This approach, if starting for the first time, will cause your body to utilized fats for fuel due to the low intake of carbohydrates. This natural metabolic process is called Ketosis. Despite all this, it is still questionable whether you follow it.

Is the keto diet a good choice?

This is a yes and no answer. I find the Atkins program with the Keto-like part to be unhealthy. The same goes for regular Keto diet. The high amount of fats they tell you to consumed are from sources that are questionable.

Fats from farmed animals raise with antibiotic and hormones are dangerous. This is because the fat in these animals would store the chemicals given to the animals. When you eat these fats, you are ingesting these dangerous chemicals, which can cause health problems overtime. There was a news outlet that broadcast a study that eating too much fatty meat with antibiotic can cause issues when you need it the most, such as for a severe flu or strep throat.

There are other findings with ingesting these dangerous chemicals stored in the fats of the animals. So, no, I would not eat the chemical laced fats of these animals. They also recommend eating fatty fish without declaring if it should be wild caught or not.

The really bad thing about Keto dieting is that it’s not for everyone. The Keto diet can do more damage to you than actually help you with your weight losing solution if you have certain health conditions. If you have Type2 diabetes, kidney damage, heart disease, liver, thyroid or gallbladder problems, you would want to avoid doing the Keto diet.

There have been reports or concerns of other mild side effects when starting the Keto diet. If you are starting the Keto diet for the first time, you might experience headaches, Dizziness, fatigues, and constipation. Make sure you drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated.

Will the keto diet help you to stay fit?

The shortest answer is yes. The Atkins keto-like diet and the regular keto diet
have a ratio of about 75% fat consumption, about 20% protein
consumption, and about 5% carbohydrates consumption with calorie restrictions to follow for a
minimum of 3 months. During that time your body will go through ketosis
as explained above. You will lose more body fat at a faster rate. Overall, the keto diet main goal is to reduce body fat, especially stubborn belly fat.

What to take in and keep out of the keto diet?

Take In

If you are planning to start a Keto diet, you would want to do proper intake of mostly organic based foods. You would want to stick to wild caught Salmon(Pacific preferred), wild caught whiting fish, wild caught Hake, Wild caught Shrimps, and wild caught sardines. For grass fed animals you would want to eat the parts that have the most fats from beef, lamb, Mutton, wild pigs, chickens that are pasture raised and their eggs. Their fats will have no chemicals stored in them.

Other notable fats to consume were from different sources but weren’t recommended as organic. But you should stick to non-GMO based or organic fats from sources that are Extra virgin oil, Extra virgin coconut oil, Greek Yogurt, heavy cream, and organic butter.

Also, when you consume carbs, be sure they are complex carbs, not simple carbs. The reason for this, is that complex carbs are more nutritionally dense and are packed with more fibers.

Keep out

The Atkins keto-like diet and keto both mostly avoid grains, sugar, refined sugar, refined carbs, starches, legumes, high carb fruits, ice cream, breakfast cereals, and trans fat. But depending on what stage you’re on with the Atkins keto-like diet, carbs will increase as recommended. Sugar beverages like soda and other sweet drinks should also be skipped or avoided when on the Keto diet or the Atkins diet.

Conclusion

As with all dieting programs, you should consult your doctor first, especially if you have health issues. I have tried many dieting programs and see different results with them. Some are not for me after I tried them, some are just okay, and some are very effective. It all depends on what you are seeking from these dieting programs.

If I lift serious weights, I’d want to be on a diet for muscle mass. If I just want to be in shape or toned up, I’d want to be on an intermittent fasting program including exercising. If I want to lose a lot of weight fast, I’d be on the Keto diet or Atkins diet including exercising.

I can’t stress this enough. Almost all dieting programs would agree that you need to do some sort of exercise to get the actual results. There is no magic programs or pills. If that was so easy, then everyone would have the same results.

That’s why there are a variety of dieting programs available for people with different interests or needs. As the saying goes, “One glove doesn’t fit all or one size doesn’t fit all.” Therefore, you should focus on what your goal is and plan it well before committing to any dieting programs.

The Keto diet is a very good program to follow for losing stubborn fats. If this is what you seek then by all means go for it if you have no health issues. I wish everyone the best of health.

Healthy lifestyles as always,

john@healthy-and-wealthy-lifestyles.com