The Keto Diet and The Hunger For Change

August 29, 2018

The Keto Diet and The Hunger For Change

Good evening wellness fam!

While browsing through YouTube videos I came across the keto diet, naturally, I figured it was some fad diet, so I quickly dismissed it. Shortly afterword's my phone rang and it was my mother on the other line exclaiming that she was about to embark on her own keto journey. As a concerned son, I did some research online but didn't fully understand it until I watched a Netflix documentary called the "Magic Pill". If you are thinking about starting a Keto diet, we'll address a few FAQ's about it and how it can impact your overall fitness and health.

Keto Diet?)

For those who don't know, the"keto diet"(short for Ketogenic) is a diet that consists of low carbs, whole foods high in fat, and a moderate amount of protein. Think of your body as a "car", and the "fat" is the fuel that gets your body rolling from point A to Point B. "Ketosis",in short is when your metabolism burns fat instead of carbs. So if you love foods like bacon, eggs, pork, or steak than you are going to really enjoy this diet! Now I know what some of you may be thinking, "All of my life I've known fat to be bad, so why in the world should I change now?

Hunter-Gatherer)

Ju/hoansi San Bushmen digging for roots in Namibia

Going back to our hunter-gatherer roots when planting crops and hunting animals for food was life, eating this way was normal. Although life expectancy was shorter, people were not ailing from diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, liver disease or obesity. Still not convinced huh? Feel free to check out the "Magic Pill", this will probably change your mind and give you a better understanding of what the keto diet is all about. (*FYI this video is roughly 90 min long so if you have some time on you're hands feel free to view).

Why Should You Consider Keto?)

If weight loss is your mission, I highly recommend you give Keto a try. According to Elliot Relmers (https://bioketo.com/keto-faq/) these are a few of the main benefits of going full on keto.

Enhanced cardiovascular function
Reduced risk of many diseases
Improved cognitive function
Support for weight loss
Decreased inflammation and oxidative stress
Healthier blood sugar and blood lipid balance

For the best results for weight loss pair, the keto diet with intermittent fasting and you have a recipe for success. Take it from Terry Crews if you don't believe me, he's been doing it for the past 5 years and the results speak for themselves.

What Can I Eat On A Keto Diet?)

Now before I watched the "Magic Pill" I'll admit being the first that I was concerned. Often I felt like I would walk away with more questions than answers. From the outside looking in it felt like the only thing my mom could eat was kale and a few ounces of meat. So my number one question to my mom was, "what can you eat"? So in the words of Elliot Relmers you can eat

All non-starchy, low-carb vegetables
Whole nuts and seeds (and their related products: almond butter, peanut butter, etc.)
Avocados
Fibrous fruits in small amounts (e.g. berries, kiwi, grapefruit)
Butter, ghee, heavy cream, select salad dressings
Whole eggs
Healthy food oils (olive oil, peanut oil, macadamia nut oil, etc.)
Freshwater fish
Herbs and spices
Animal meats: Turkey, chicken, beef, pork, organ meat, exotic game meats
Water, club soda, calorie-free sparkling water, unsweetened tea/coffee
Full-fat, unprocessed cheeses (mozzarella, cheddar, gouda, bleu cheese, etc.)
Supplemental protein powders"

How will my body function without carbs?)

Once your body adapts to the absence of carbs/sugar, you'll feel more energized, lose weight quickly, and hit your fitness goals faster. Everyone has a different starting point, so one thing that I would suggest is to consult with your doctor if you plan on doing this long term. When you first start cutting out carbs/sugar, you may feel fatigued. Check out Dr. Berg for how to correct this.

I hope that this information was helpful and gives you some perspective on how to approach the keto diet. If you feel that this is something beneficial to you continue to research and consult with your doctor for additional insight.