Millions of people around the world are now recognizing the power of ketosis: the ability of your body to quit on sugars & processed carbohydrates & switch to burning fat for fuel. The diet has helped many people give up poor dietary preferences, lose unwanted body fat & get healthier, all while eating really tasty food!
The fact that keto diets have existed since decades to treat epilepsy has also helped prove its scientific safety, but like any other alternative diet, there are plenty of misconceptions & bad eating habits that can actually make things worse for you instead of helping you get healthier & lose weight.
Here’s some myths we’d like to dispel, so you can go ahead with the right approach to doing Keto!
Is keto is all about eating protein heavy meals?
That’s actually incorrect. Eating too much protein ultimately leads to it being broken down into glucose & again leads to fat build-up in the body when these calories are unburnt. Keto diets are 75% fats, 20% of proteins and a bare minimum of 5% carbohydrates. Meat, eggs, fish, vegetables, seeds, dairy (except milk, only derivatives) are all part of a keto diet. Maintaining right proportions is the key to doing it right.
Are ketogenic diets highly acidic?
For regular, healthy bodies, keto is in fact safe & very healthy as it limits excessive food intake, improves metabolization & helps lose unwanted fat. If you’re Type I diabetic or have insulin problems, maybe keto is not the way for you, as the diet is heavily dependent on liver function & can result in ketoacidosis if you suffer from the above issues. It’s best you consult your doctor & dietician before trying such a diet if you’re affected by any type of diabetes.
I hate veggies. Can I eat bacon for life & stay healthy on keto?
Keto is about clean eating - the right & healthy kind of Keto makes clean eating a priority. Bacon & cheese are great additions to make meals yummier & fulfilling, but they’re still limited in terms of nutrition & won’t give you the essential minerals & nutrients you need for a healthy, balanced diet. Make your keto diet primarily plant based, eat plenty of greens & use plenty of healthy, omega 3 fats & oils.
Can you eat all the meat & fat in the world on keto?
Do not overeat. Portions are very important to keto - always calculate your macronutrients & eat limited portions. Experts suggest 5-6 smalls through the course of the day to help you stay fulfilled & maximize energy production. There are plenty of tools available online today to help you calculate macros for keto - just a Google search away! Keto is NOT about overeating, so keep the binge to a minimum.
Should I never eat carbs again ever to maintain my ketogenic diet?
Keto diets are quite extreme, but your brain will keep tricking you into feeling hungry, leading to eventual binge-eating sessions, falling off the wagon & the resulting guilt. The best way to counter this is to eat ‘smart carbs’ - these are a resistant variety found in oats, green banana flour, legumes & beans. These carbs keep the microbiomes in your gut busy, which signals the brain into believing there’s enough carbohydrates in your system to derive energy out of.
The carbs are actually ‘resistant’ and only break down after a long time to release a fatty acid known as butyrate, which helps building the lining of your gut & decreases permeability & inflammation. This is great for your health & gut alike, and helps keeps control of your appetite & stabilizes blood glucose levels as well.
Don’t fall for these common traps & misconceptions about keto. Do your research on the ideal diet, eat healthy, eat smart portions on a timely basis & maintain that smart keto diet to keep yourself happy & motivated! Keep following our blog for more tips & guides like these.
