The keto diet is one of the fastest growing fad diets of the 21st century. You may have seen videos or read blogs by Drew Manning, the creator of “Fit to Fat to Fit”, a 60-day keto weight loss program. Manning purposely gained 75 pounds so he could lose it using the keto diet and launched a highly successful business. His story has inspired thousands of people to successfully lose weight through the keto diet.
However, there are a lot of common misconceptions about the keto diet. Here are three things you should know before you try it for yourself.
You’ll cut carbs and protein and increase fat intake
The goal of keto is to get 75 to 90 percent of your calories from fat. You should only be getting about two to five percent from carbs, and the rest can include lean proteins. When you cut a huge amount of carbs and protein, it forces your body to engage in a process called ketosis. Essentially, your body is burning fat rather than carbohydrates for energy.
For many people, this requires a significant lifestyle change. If you’re used to eating sandwiches for lunch and having pasta for dinner at least once per week, you’ll have to change the menu and allow for more fatty cuts of meat, oils, avocados, cheese, eggs, greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and low-carb vegetables.
If you have certain dietary restrictions due to a health problem, the keto diet may not be for you. Additionally, although you’re increasing your fat intake, it’s important that you still focus on good nutrition. Consuming too much fat can have negative health effects, including an increased risk for high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Create a good balance of fats, protein, fruits, and vegetables to mitigate risks of unhealthy fat intake.
It’s more effective with supplements
Most diets are more effective when you take supplements too, and the keto diet is no different. You’ll be significantly cutting calories in your daily meals, alongside days of fasting. Taking a high-quality multivitamin can help you eliminate potential deficiencies.
Consider weight loss supplements that will increase your fat burn as well. Ephedra pills, for example, include plant-based supplements used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. They’re known to increase energy, boost your metabolism, and reduce your cravings.
Another great supplement is Lipodrene, a well known fat burner that helps your body convert fat rather than carbs into energy, which is exactly what the keto diet aims to do. The main ingredient is ephedra, and coupled with other powerful ingredients, it can be a game changer for weight loss. For optimum benefits, consider Lipodrene Elite, a powerful fat burner that can be taken daily for optimum weight loss benefits.
Remember that supplements are often not regulated by the FDA, so it’s important to choose a reputable brand before making a purchase. A doctor can also advise you on the right supplements to take for effective weight loss.
Diet under the direction of a physician
When done correctly, the keto diet is perfectly safe. There are many scientific studies to prove that increasing fat intake while cutting calories can cause substantive weight loss. Intermittent fasting, a staple of the keto diet, is also known to have profound weight loss and health effects.
However, if done incorrectly, the keto diet is dangerous. Along with affecting your mood, cutting too many calories can put your body into starvation mode. In the short-term, this is good for burning fat. In the long term, it can increase the amount of ketones that enter the bloodstream. In small doses, ketones are harmless, but too many can make your blood overly acidic. Highly acidic blood can lead to a coma or even death, and you might not identify the problem until it’s too late.
When considering the keto diet, talk to your doctor first. He or she will advise you on the correct calories, fasting regime, diet, and supplements you can use to safely lose weight.