The ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat eating pattern that involves consuming a very low amount of carbohydrates and replacing them with fat to help your body burn fat for energy. The diet typically includes high amounts of fat, low to moderate amounts of protein, and very little carbohydrates. The keto diet is typically rich in foods like butter, cheese, eggs, meat, nuts, oils, seafood, and seeds, and it does not allow much, if any, room for fruits, vegetables, grains, potatoes, sweets, or other carbohydrate-rich foods.
The ketogenic diet aims to force your body into using a different type of fuel. Instead of relying on sugar (glucose) that comes from carbohydrates, the keto diet relies on ketone bodies, a type of fuel that the liver produces from stored fat. This reduction in carbs puts your body into a metabolic state called ketosis. Health benefits of the keto diet can include weight loss and lowering your risk for certain diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s disease.
However, a well-formulated ketogenic diet that emphasizes lean proteins and dairy, as well as plant foods such as berries, non-starchy vegetables, nuts, and seeds, can benefit your health—especially if you don’t already consume such foods or if you typically overconsume added sugar, calories or sodium. It is important to note that a ketogenic diet severely restricts all forms of carbohydrates, which means that entire food groups such as dairy, fruits, grains, and vegetables must be limited or possibly avoided completely. A ketogenic diet may not be suitable for everyone, and it is important to talk with your doctor first to find out if it’s safe for you to try a ketogenic diet, especially if you have type 1 diabetes.
