Source: news.com.au
Have you ever wanted to lose weight without losing the pleasure of food? The ketogenic diet is the one for you.
The high-fat, low-carb diet is sure to kickstart your weight loss journey.
“Essentially, you are pushing carbs low enough that your body has no choice but to burn fat for fuel,” says Andres Ayesta, owner of Vive Nutrition in Orlando, Florida, told Today’s Dietitian.
The satisfaction and wholeness the foods reduce your sugar intake and helps you lose weight.
People on the keto diet say their bodies feel rejuvenated and refuelled with nutrients, rich vitamins and minerals.
Carbohydrates are the main source of fuel for the body, however this diet focuses on reducing them and increasing fat intake.
This causes the body to stop producing glucose (a simple sugar that provides energy for the body) and encouraging the body to use fat as the main form of energy, causing weight loss.
The strict meal plan of 70 per cent fat, 25 per cent protein and 5 per cent carbs causes numerous foods to be restricted in the diet.
WHAT FOODS AREN’T ALLOWED ON THE KETO DIET?
• Grains, because of the high carbs
• Starchy vegetables and high-sugar fruits, such as bananas, dates, corn and potatoes, because they spike your blood sugar
• Sweetened yoghurts, because they have artificial flavours and preservatives
• Juices, because they have added sugar
• Chips and crackers, because they are high in sodium.
WHAT FOODS CAN YOU EAT ON THE KETO DIET?
Although, these are many foods that cannot be consumed while on the keto diet, there are various others that provide positive impacts to the body:
• Seafood, which is rich in B vitamins, potassium and selenium
• Low-carb vegetables, which are high in nutrients, vitamin C and fibre, and low in calories and carbs
• Cheese, which is low in carbs, and high in fat and calcium
• Avocados, which are high in potassium and improve cholesterol levels
• Meat and poultry, which have no carbs, are rich in B vitamins, and have high-quality protein • Eggs, which keeps blood sugar levels stable and contain antioxidants in yolk
• Dark chocolate and cocoa, which lower blood pressure, keeps arteries healthy and provide as many antioxidants as fruit.
Many people considering the keto diet struggle to know which snacks are compliant. Here are some healthy, on-the-go options that provide the body with valuable nutrients and vitamins that are crucial for growth and development:
HEALTHY SNACK IDEAS FOR THE KETO DIET
• Berries dipped in dark chocolate
• Celery and peanut butter
• Avocado and boiled eggs
• Olives and sliced salami
• Cottage cheese and berries
• Keto smoothies made with coconut milk, cocoa powder and avocado
• Fish and cauliflower
• Beef jerky.