FAT FUELLING FOR HEALTH AND WELLBEING
AFTER making it onto Best Diet lists for several consecutive years, it’s safe to say that the Keto Diet is more than just a flash in the pan. So why all the fuss?
Keto is short for ketosis, the state in which a human body burns fat for fuel instead of sugar, or carbohydrate. In other words, to train your body to be a fat burning machine.
Eating a Western diet, high in carbs, means the body runs on glucose as its primary energy source. When our body is fed too much glucose, the excess is converted into fat and stored, especially around the gut. This type of fat, known as adipose, is uncomfortable, indicative of potential health issues and can ruin the fit of your favourite skinny jeans.
With a Keto diet you are essentially changing that function, running on the energy source found in healthy fats and in doing so, optimising your body’s fat burning ability. This different source of energy is more efficient and longer lasting than glucose so you get more bang for your buck. It’s like converting your house from grid power to solar energy – once the hardware is adjusted, the energy source switches for a better result.
HOW DO YOU “DO” KETO?
Generally speaking, you’ll need to eat less than 25g-50g of carbohydrate per day to become a fat burning beast. You can use a keto tracker in the beginning to record the amount of carbs you’re eating and make note of how you’re feeling, your energy levels and any other side effects – positive or negative – that you experience.
It will take your body a while to switch to fat burning for energy, anywhere from days to weeks. The “carb flu”, a few days of feeling generally blah at the beginning, will pass as your body adapts to the new fuel source. Most of these symptoms are a result of dehydration and salt deficiency so make sure to have lots of water and plenty of good quality salt.
Once past this initial stage the results will speak for themselves.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M IN KETOSIS?
Ketosis test strips are cheap and easy to use and will give you a reasonable indication of the changes. However, the true test is when the strips stop working. When the body is using ketones effectively, the test strips don’t detect anything. If you wish to keep testing you can upgrade to a blood ketone tester.
BENEFITS OF A KETO LIFESTYLE
• Mental clarity and better brain function due to a cleaner source of energy.
• More energy without the peaks and troughs of short-lived, carb-fuelled blood sugar spikes.
• Increased endurance.
• Weight loss.
• Managing diabetes.
• Reduced sugar cravings.
TO KETO OR NOT TO KETO?
With some amazing Keto friendly products on the market today, going Keto has never been easier or more delicious. What have you got to lose? Well… the mood swings and muffin top for starters.
Ketosis is when the body burns fat for fuel instead of sugar or carbohydrate.
KETO DIET AT A GLANCE:
Good fats 60-80% Moderate proteins 10-30% Minimal carbohydrates 5-10% Sugars 0%
MORE: fatforweightloss.com.au dietdoctor.com ketodietapp.com ketogenic.com ketogenic-diet-resource.com