Let’s Talk About the Keto Diet

In the past few years the ketogenic diet has skyrocketed in popularity from celebrities promoting it and Instagram users sharing ‘Keto-friendly’ recipes, to keto products being sold all over. In the emergence of fad diets in a society where we are overwhelmed with information, I think it is very important to dissect each new trend with an open mind and plenty of information, so lets get to it.

The ketogenic diet was originally created by Dr. Russell Wilder in oder to treat those with epilepsy. This diet is a very restrictive high fat and low carbohydrate diet.

The science behind the keto diet is quite simple. Our body uses carbohydrates for energy, but since the keto diet drastically reduces the carbohydrates we consume and increases the fat, our body begins to break down fat for energy, thus producing ketones. In regards to the keto diets’ benefits for epileptic patients, the ketones that are produced have shown to have an anti-epileptic effect on the brain.

Many have been using the keto diet as a means to lose weight because of the break down of fat that occurs when your body is depleted of carbohydrates for energy. There have been individuals that insist the diet has helped them lose weight in a faster time frame. I won’t deny that this is possible, but I will provide some insight to the down falls of this diet from the opinion of a dietitian.

From the get-go I do want to say, I understand why individuals try this diet and would never shame anyone for giving it a try because the results are enticing! My insight is just to provide information so you can make the choice as to whether this diet is right for you.

Unfortunately often times when something seems to good to be true, it is. I like to use the example of a MLM job, which I have personally almost fallen for many times. MLM (multi-level marketing) positions advertise the position as “work from any where”, “chose your hours”, “make millions from the beach on your phone”, “ work only 15 hours a week and become a millionaire”. Sounds too good to be true, right? It often is. The same goes for the keto diet which often advertises as, “lose 40 lbs in a month or “get abs with no exercise and just keto”. Those things may seem enticing after battling with yoyo dieting for years, but just like the MLM jobs, it is not all what is seems.

In the MLM jobs there is usually a cost to the “success” they promise. You may find yourself purchasing a great deal of products to sell or test out and in the end, not make your money back. The keto diet also comes with a cost. You may find that you have lost a good deal of weight after a month or two on keto but with it came adverse side effects, such as GI distress, hyperlipidemia, mental fog, migraine, flu-like symptoms, and insomnia. The biggest cost of this diet, I find, is that eventually you may find yourself not being able to maintain this diet which leads to binging, disordered eating, gaining more weight than when you began, and mental health concerns.

My point, in the MLM analogy, is that your goals of success cannot be something acquired easily or over-night. Monetary wealth, career success, freedom over your time and health are all things that come with hard work and time. If you want something, it is important to exercise patience and to prioritize your goal.

The keto diet does have its place in the world, for epileptic patients. Some without epilepsy may find it really works well for them and find my article silly and that’s okay! In my opinion, I prefer to guide my nutrition clients in the direction of balanced nutrition, positive relationships with food, and healthy lifestyle modifications to achieve long-lasting, positive and fitting results for each unique and beautiful person.

If you are tired of being caught in the newest diet trend and want to repair your relationship with food, send me an email to nutrikaywellness@gmail.com and lets chat!