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Keto Diet for Beginners: How to Start a Keto Diet

Eat fat to burn fat? It might seem counterintuitive, but that’s the essence of the ketogenic diet’s uniqueness. Also known as the keto diet, it involves consuming low levels of carbohydrates and high levels of fats, which can result in increased energy and heightened mental focus. Surprisingly, it can also aid in maintaining a healthy weight, all while enjoying tasty and fulfilling foods.

Interested in learning more about this dietary approach? Dive into our beginner’s guide to keto, where we’ll delve into the science behind its mechanics, explore its remarkable benefits, and provide tips for managing potential side effects while maintaining a state of ketosis.

What exactly is the keto diet?

Contrary to the old adage that ‘fat makes you fat,’ the truth is more nuanced. Healthy fats are actually beneficial for both your brain and body, regardless of your chosen diet. Keto involves reducing carbohydrate intake and increasing fat consumption, prompting your body to switch its primary energy source from carbohydrates to fats.

Imagine your body as a hybrid car. Typically, with a standard diet, you rely on carbohydrates for fuel. However, like a hybrid car that can switch between gas and electricity, your body can utilize fats for energy as well. By minimizing carbs, prioritizing quality fats like grass-fed ghee and butter, and consuming moderate amounts of high-quality proteins, you can induce a state known as ketosis, where your body burns fat for fuel.

What exactly is ketosis?

By significantly reducing carb intake, your body enters a metabolic state called ketosis, where it burns fat instead of carbs for energy. The keto diet isn’t the only method to achieve ketosis; intermittent fasting and certain supplements can also trigger the production of ketones in the body.

How does the keto diet actually work?

When your body shifts to using ketones for fuel instead of relying on carbohydrates, you’ll notice a significant difference in how you feel. Say goodbye to those energy crashes and brain fog that often follow a carb-heavy meal. Picture this: after indulging in a hefty bowl of pasta, you typically experience a slump as your blood sugar levels plummet, leading to a strong urge to nap through the rest of the day.

But on the keto diet, things work differently. By entering a state of metabolic fat-burning known as ketosis, your body can access its fat stores for energy. Ketosis even prompts your brain to produce more mitochondria, the cellular powerhouses that fuel your activities. This means more energy for your daily tasks and endeavors.

Considering that over 60% of your brain consists of fat, it relies on a steady supply of fats to function optimally. The healthy fats consumed on a ketogenic diet not only sustain your day-to-day activities but also support your brain’s health and performance.

How long can you stick with the keto diet?

It’s essential to recognize that the keto diet isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Your approach should be adaptable to your individual needs and preferences. Don’t hesitate to switch things up if necessary. While starting with a strict keto regimen may be effective initially, you might find it beneficial to tweak your diet based on your lifestyle.

For instance, if you engage in high-intensity training, you might explore variations like cyclical or targeted keto diets. These approaches strategically incorporate more carbs, which can provide the extra fuel needed for intense workouts or endurance activities.

Different Varieties of Keto Diets

When you first hear about the keto diet, it might conjure up images of piles of bacon and cheese with no room for carbs. However, there’s more flexibility to it than that. The keto diet isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach; there are different variations to suit different needs and preferences.

1. Standard Keto Diet (SKD):

The standard keto diet typically involves consuming 75% of your daily calories from fat, 20% from protein, and limiting net carbs to around 5% of your daily intake, usually totaling about 20 grams of net carbs per day.

2. Cyclical Keto Diet (CKD):

With cyclical keto, you primarily follow the standard keto diet most days, but you have one or two days a week where you incorporate a “carb refeed.” During these refeed days, you consume slightly more carbs from nutrient-dense sources like sweet potatoes or butternut squash, totaling around 150 grams of net carbs.

3. Targeted Keto Diet (TKD):

This approach involves following the standard keto diet but consuming a small amount of additional carbs, usually around your workout times. The idea is that these extra carbs provide a boost in performance without knocking you out of ketosis. After the workout, you return to your regular keto eating pattern.

4. High Protein Keto:

Similar to the standard keto diet, but with a higher proportion of protein. The macro breakdown typically consists of 60% fat, 35% protein, and 5% carbs.

5. Dirty Keto:

Dirty keto maintains the same macronutrient ratios as traditional keto, but there’s less emphasis on where those nutrients come from. In other words, as long as you’re hitting your fat, protein, and carb targets, it doesn’t matter if your meals include processed or less nutritious foods. For example, a dinner could be a bunless burger with a diet soda.

These variations allow for some flexibility within the keto framework, making it easier for individuals to find a style of eating that suits their lifestyle and goals.

Foods to Avoid

Avoiding certain foods and stocking up on the right ones are crucial aspects of starting a ketogenic (keto) diet. Here’s a breakdown of what to avoid and what to include in your keto-friendly shopping list:

  • Grains and grain flours
  • Corn
  • Peas
  • Most root vegetables
  • Many fruits, such as apples, bananas, grapes, mangoes, and oranges
  • Most beans and lentils
  • Beer, sweet wines, and cocktails with sugary syrups
  • Sugar
  • Low-fat dairy

Foods to Eat

  • Fats and oils like avocado oil, MCT oil, , coconut oil, and extra virgin olive oil.
  • Proteins such as pasture-raised meats, eggs, grass-fed whey, and collagen
  • Vegetables including dark, leafy greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower
  • Low-glycemic fruits like berries (in moderation), avocados, lemons, and limes
  • Nuts and seeds like coconuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, and walnuts
  • Dairy like grass-fed butter and ghee
  • Beverages like bone broth, coffee, coconut milk, and mineral water
  • Spices, condiments and seasonings like quality herbs, coconut aminos, and cacao powder
  • Sweeteners such as monk fruit, stevia, allulose, and erythritol

Understanding Keto Macros

Counting macros, or macronutrients, is a popular method in dieting. Macros include carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Utilizing a macro calculator can help you determine your specific macro needs for a keto diet. Tracking your intake of carbs, fats, and proteins using apps like MyFitnessPal, Carb Manager, or My Macros+ can aid in staying on track with your goals.

Quality Matters: In addition to tracking macros, focus on the quality of the foods you consume. Opt for proteins and produce from local farmers’ markets, co-ops, or high-quality supermarkets. Research how to incorporate quality fats into your diet, as they play a crucial role in fueling your brain and body on a keto diet.

Keto Recipes

Need inspiration for keto-friendly meals? Explore a variety of recipes tailored for the keto lifestyle, including:

  • Keto Coffee
  • Keto Brunch
  • Keto Lunch
  • Keto Dinner
  • Keto Desserts
  • Keto Comfort Food
  • Keto Snacks

These recipes provide flavorful options that align with the principles of the keto diet, ensuring you can enjoy delicious meals while maintaining your nutritional goals.

Healthy Keto Snack Options

When hunger strikes between meals, consider these keto-friendly snack ideas:

  • – Olives
  • – Hard-boiled eggs
  • – Dark chocolate, especially sweetened with keto-friendly options like stevia and erythritol
  • – Fat bombs
  • – Avocado

Ketogenic Diet Tips

Commitment is key to reaping the benefits of a keto diet. Incorporating more high-fat, low-carb recipes into your weekly meal plan can help you stay on track in the long run.

Quality Fats to Consider

Here are some recommendations for high-quality fats to include in your keto shopping list:

  • – C8 MCT Oil: Known for its high ketone production, it’s an excellent source of energy.
  • – Grass-fed ghee: Ideal for high-heat cooking and blending into coffee.
  • – Avocado oil: Flavorless and versatile, suitable for both savory and sweet dishes.
  • – Extra virgin olive oil: Adds flavor and contains antioxidants.
  • – Pastured lard: Surprisingly rich in monounsaturated fats and stable saturated fats, great for cooking.

Stock Your Keto Kitchen

Having the right tools can make keto cooking easier and more enjoyable. Consider investing in:

  • – Cast iron skillet
  • – Air fryer
  • – Instant Pot
  • – CrockPot
  • – Blender

Testing for Ketosis

You can check your ketone levels at home using urine sticks, a blood meter, or a breathalyzer. Monitoring ketosis allows you to make adjustments to your diet if needed, such as reducing carb intake or moderating protein consumption.

Health Benefits of Keto

Entering ketosis offers numerous health advantages beyond just burning body fat. Here’s how following a ketogenic diet can positively impact your health:

1. Heart Disease

Research indicates that the keto diet can enhance risk factors associated with heart disease, such as blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and body fat.

2. Cancer

Emerging evidence suggests that the ketogenic diet might serve as an additional treatment for cancer by inhibiting tumor growth.

3. Diabetes

Studies show that the ketogenic diet can benefit individuals with type-2 diabetes by improving glycemic control and aiding in weight loss.

4. Alzheimer’s Disease

The keto diet has shown promise in enhancing mitochondrial function and cellular metabolism, which are crucial for brain health. It’s associated with improved cognitive performance in Alzheimer’s patients.

5. Epilepsy

Originally developed to manage epileptic seizures, the keto diet has been found to significantly reduce seizures in epileptic children.

6. Fatty Liver Disease

For individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the keto diet can decrease liver fat content and hepatic insulin resistance.

7. Parkinson’s Disease

Research suggests that the ketogenic diet may improve non-motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease, such as urinary problems, pain, and cognitive impairment.

8. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

A ketogenic Mediterranean diet has been shown to reduce glucose and insulin levels in women with PCOS, offering a potential non-pharmacological treatment option.

9. Brain Injuries

Preclinical studies indicate that the ketogenic diet might improve outcomes in traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury cases.

10. Reduced Inflammation

By switching off inflammatory pathways and producing fewer free radicals compared to glucose, the keto diet can help reduce inflammation in the body.

Potential Keto Side Effects

Beginning a keto diet involves significant changes, which may lead to certain side effects:

1. Keto Flu

During the initial adjustment period, known as the keto flu, symptoms like brain fog, muscle aches, and digestive discomfort may occur. Staying hydrated, replenishing electrolytes, and prioritizing rest can help alleviate these symptoms.

2. Cramps

Electrolyte imbalances, particularly in sodium and potassium, can cause muscle cramps. Ensuring adequate intake of these electrolytes or using supplements can prevent cramping.

3. Constipation

Changes in diet and gut bacteria can initially lead to constipation. Drinking plenty of water and consuming fiber-rich foods can help regulate bowel movements.

4. Reduced Physical Performance

While high-intensity exercise performance may initially decrease on a keto diet, improvements have been observed in activities at lower intensity levels.