Simply put, the ketogenic diet entails the reduction of consumed carbohydrates. It’s exactly for this reason why a lot of people choose to refer to it as a low carb diet. Others call it low carb high fat because of the fact that the amount of fat is also increased, which will serve as the body’s main source of energy.
Loved by a Lot of Weight Watchers
As you may know by now, carbohydrates serve as the primary source of energy of your body. It’s only when all of your carb reserves are exhausted when your body turns to others for energy, such as fat and protein. In the ketogenic diet, your body is forced to use fat as its primary source of energy since your intake of carbohydrates is limited.
This is primarily the reason why the ketogenic diet is very popular among those who wish to lose weight. It makes a lot of sense — because your body immediately turns to fat for fuel, it is very much unlikely for a lot of fat to get stored in the body, which can cause you to gain excess pounds.
A Brief History of the Ketogenic Diet
Actually, the ketogenic diet was designed to help people with epilepsy manage their seizures much better. To be specific, the diet was invented by Dr. Russell Wilder way back in 1924. The ketogenic diet became really popular because of its effectiveness in keeping seizures to a minimum. To date, it is still being used for epilepsy management.
The Diet is Recommend for a Variety of Problems
It’s not just epilepsy that the ketogenic diet is good for. According to experts, it is also something beneficial for people who are suffering from the likes of diabetes, autism and Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, the ketogenic diet is also being recommended by some specialists for individuals stricken with cancer.
There is complex science behind the benefits offered by the ketogenic diet to the mentioned health problems. Basically, it has something to do with the production of ketone bodies, which are byproducts of fat metabolism. Experts say that ketone bodies offer an assortment of benefits to a cellular level.
It’s Not Intended for Everyone
Certain side effects are associated with the ketogenic diet. A lot of people who have tried it experienced headaches, fatigue and dizziness. Weakness and low blood sugar are also results that you have to deal with. Some people end up craving for sugar, which has to be greatly controlled if you are using the ketogenic diet to lose weight.
According to experts, there are people who simply should stay away from the ketogenic diet. They include people suffering from or who are at risk of heart disease. Those with kidney problems should also avoid the ketogenic diet. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, consult your doctor before trying it.
A One-Week Ketogenic Diet Sample Plan
It is a good idea to consult someone who is an expert on the ketogenic diet so that you may get the right amount of nutrients intended for your age, body type, fitness level, daily activities and other important factors. But in any case, here is a sample ketogenic diet plan for an entire week:
Day 1
Breakfast: Chocolate pudding with chia seeds
Lunch: Frittatas
Dinner: Grilled salmon with hollandaise and spinach
Day 2
Breakfast: Frittatas
Lunch: Avocado stuffed with salmon
Dinner: Paprika chicken
Day 3
Breakfast: Eggs and bacon
Lunch: Paprika chicken
Dinner: Frittatas
Day 4
Breakfast: Frittatas
Lunch: Egg and avocado salad
Dinner: Paprika chicken
Day 5
Breakfast: Chocolate pudding with chia seeds
Lunch: Paprika chicken
Dinner: Paleo avocado
Day 6
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs
Lunch: Avocado and bacon
Dinner: Avocado stuffed with salmon
Day 7
Breakfast: Zucchini and egg
Lunch: Avocado and bacon
Dinner: Pork chops