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There are so many different diet plans out there, it can be confusing and overwhelming when you are deciding which one would work best for you. Some of these diets are trends or fads and not something that can be maintained long-term, others might make you feel hungry all the time, which as you know, does not make for a happy life. This is one of the reasons the ketogenic diet stands apart from the rest, it will help you lose weight, while also letting you feel satisfied. You are not starving your body of calories or fat on the ketogenic diet.
What Does Ketogenic Mean?
When you eat a more traditional diet that is higher in carbohydrates your body produces glucose and insulin. Glucose is the body’s first choice of energy source because it is the easiest for the body to convert. Insulin’s role is to process the glucose that is in your bloodstream by taking it around the body. When this happens, it means that the fats in your body are not needed, since they are not the energy source. The fat still has to go somewhere though, so the body stores it for later use.
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When you lower your carbohydrate intake, your body will enter into a state known as ketosis, which is where the word ketogenic comes from. Ketosis is what the body initiates when food consumption is low, it is a natural process that is meant to help the body survive. During ketosis the liver will break down fats and produce ketones which can also be used as fuel for the body, but only if glucose is in short supply. Remember, glucose is the body’s first choice, so it will only use something else when glucose is not an option. It is not because it can’t or that is not healthy, when using ketones as fuel, the body just has to work a little harder.
The goal of the ketogenic diet is to get your body to switch from using glucose as its fuel supply, to ketones, which you would get from the breakdown of fat. Therefore, your body would be getting all its energy from fat. As your insulin levels lower, your body’s fat burning abilities will increase. For most people, this happens very quickly and quite dramatically. One of the benefits of this diet is how easy it becomes to burn through stored fat, which obviously helps if weight loss is your main goal.
The quickest way to enter ketosis is by fasting, however that cannot be maintained without harmful effects. The ketogenic diet can be followed indefinitely, while still allowing the body to enter ketosis. This is not a diet that deals with calorie counting, meaning you cannot eat what ever you want as long as you don’t go over your caloric limit. Keeping your carbohydrate intake low, it is suggested no more than 20 or 30g of net carbohydrates is how you will be successful. However, the less you consume, the more dramatic your weight loss will be.
What is a Net Carb?
Net carb = Total dietary carbohydrate – Total fiber
Let’s assume you want to eat one cup of broccoli, which contains 6g of total carbohydrates and 2g of fiber. To find the net carbs, you would then take the 6g minus the 2g, leaving you with 4g, which is the net carb amount.
Your ketogenic diet should be made of around 70 percent fats, 25 percent proteins, and only 5 percent should be carbohydrates. This is why it is so important to pay attention to what you are putting into your body and whether or not it will prevent you from entering ketosis.
The ketogenic diet will yield impressive results, but only if you stick to it. When you eat too many carbohydrates, your body will have the insulin it needs to use as fuel, meaning the fat will be stored instead of burned. The secret to a successful ketogenic diet is to plan-out what you will eat, this will not only reduce your stress, but it will also keep you on the right track.
Just like any diet or lifestyle change, it will take time for you to properly adjust to it, but you can do it. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to keep an open mind and allow yourself the time necessary to acclimate. Rushing things before you are fully prepared will not help you, it will only cause you added stress which will probably lead to failure. To prevent this from happening, it is crucial that you find what works for you while still adhering to the diet.
Some people prefer to prep their meals a head of time, especially breakfast and lunch since they often take it with them to work. Other people like to write out their meals like a menu and stick with their ideas. You don’t have to do this, but it definitely make things easier on you, especially in the beginning.
When you are on a special diet like this one, it probably won’t take you very long to see how much easier it is to cook at home. Being in complete control of your food is crucial to remaining in ketosis and losing weight. That being said, if you do decide to go to a restaurant, make sure to ask any appropriate questions involving your order. Being specific about what foods are cooked in or how they are prepared will help make sure you are sticking to your diet.
Just remember, you are not going to be hungry, your body is learning to depend a different fuel for energy. That takes some time to get accustomed to, so be patient with yourself and find what works best for you. For instance, if you prefer to prep all of your meals for the week on Sunday, do it. However, if you work the night shift and enjoy cooking when you arrive home in the morning, feel free to do it that way, just find what works for you and stick to it.
