The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
FOOD Curious about keto?
Get to know the original low-carb diet.
Get to know the original low-carb diet.
Low-carbohydrate diets are inescapable these days. There’s a good chance at least one person in any given social circle is on Whole30 or trying out paleo. But what these all have in common, besides a lack of starchy grains, is a root in a highly restrictive diet known today as simply “keto” (pronounced “KEE-toe”).
The basic premise of the keto, or ketogenic, diet is that, by replacing carbohydrates with fat, you’ll trick your body into a starvation mode called ketosis. In ketosis, the liver breaks down fat into molecules called ketone bodies, which can then be used for energy instead of glucose from carbohydrates. In order to reach ketosis, one must eat a diet that is approximately 70 to 75 percent fat, plus a little protein and even fewer carbs.
If you read this and think you’re having Atkins diet deja vu, you’re not wrong. The keto diet was, in fact, a precursor to Atkins, as well as other low-carbohydrate diets. Modern keto dieters have also adopted one of the Atkins diet’s premises, that of “net carbs,” as a measurement tool. Net carbs are carbohydrates minus indigestible nutrients, such as fiber and sugar alcohols. Along with fat and protein, these are also one of three “macros” (short for “macronutrients”) typically listed with all keto recipes.
Keto has its roots in medicine: The diet was originally developed in the 1920s as a treatment for childhood epilepsy, as elevated ketone bodies in the brain reduce the occurrence of seizures. This therapeutic keto diet is severely restrictive in both protein and carbohydrates, requiring around a 4-1 ratio of fat to combined carbs and protein.
And its precursor was even more restrictive — fasting, which also promotes ketosis, [ JUMP] was an early treatment for the disease.
Interest in dietary treatments for epilepsy waned after the advent of anti-convulsant medications but experienced a rebirth in the mid1990s after a “Dateline NBC” episode and subsequent TV movie about Charlie Abrahams, the son of a Hollywood producer, who found success treating his uncontrollable epilepsy with the keto diet. It is now even more popular today, and the keto diet is being studied as a treatment for other neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and autism.
Today, you’ll find both strong proponents and detractors of the diet. Some say keto is highly effective as a weight loss tool and is useful for Type 2 diabetics needing to control their glycemic index. Detractors say the high-fat content of keto-friendly meals can be dangerous for long-term heart health and that the side effects of a longterm keto diet have not yet been given enough study.
Regardless, trying out a few keto recipes can be a fun way to experiment in the kitchen. Vegetables, like cauliflower, can be transformed into dead ringers for Southern classics like cheese grits, and other meatfocused dishes, such as the Lao salad larb, are keto-friendly all on their own.