Ketogenic Diet – Good or Bad?

I decided to spend today and the next few days talking about different popular dietary theories. Today we’ll look at the good and the bad aspects of the ketogenic diet, or Keto as some call it.

Atkins in the beginning

This theory has been around for many years, popular in the 1960s and 70s and started by cardiologist Dr. Robert Atkins.  If you’re as old as I am, you’ll likely remember the Atkins Diet from back then. It was the program that allowed you eat all the bacon, eggs, cheese, steaks, burgers (no bun) you wanted.

The idea was that, by eating all protein and very few, if any, carbs, you would go into a state of ketosis. Ketosis occurs when you don’t have adequate glucose for energy, causing your body to burn your fat stores.

You had to make sure you had plenty of mouthwash, because being in ketosis gives you bad breath. There are other unpleasant side effects of being in ketosis. You can develop headaches, dizziness, constipation, diarrhea, and nausea.

I remember trying Atkins in the old days, when it was all meat and very few veggies. I felt awful, couldn’t move my bowels for days at a time, and couldn’t brush my teeth enough to get the bad taste out of my mouth from the ketosis. Needless to say, I didn’t last long on that program.

Keto today

The Ketogenic Diet used today is a little less restrictive and allows some low starch  fruits and vegetables but the goal is to put the body in ketosis. Ketosis can be very unpleasant for several days, leaving the person to experience the ‘keto flu’. That’s the nausea, constipation, headache and lack of focus that goes along with the early stages of ketosis.

Beyond the keto flu, there are other negative side effects of such a restrictive program:

•  kidney stones
• nutrient deficiencies
• osteopenia, leading to osteoporosis
• cardiovascular disease
• difficult to stay compliant
• hard on kidneys

There is an upside to following the keto diet, if you can manage to stay on it:

• could help with diabetes management
• could help with eating disorders
• weight loss
• high fat content could support brain health
• proven to help otherwise uncontrollable epilepsy

Keto isn’t for everyone and certainly in the long term, compliance is difficult at best. It’s very restrictive, so many nutrients are missed and the restriction may lead to boredom with the program. Choose wisely if you think this is a program you’d like to try. I wouldn’t recommend using it long-term unless the benefits outweigh the risks for you.

My Story

Since June 2019, I decided to hold myself accountable for walking my talk. Several years ago, I was able to take off 135 pounds and essentially save my own life. I regained some of that weight in the last couple of years and I’m working my way back down. I’ve lost over 40 pounds since I began in June and have exercised nearly every day since August.

If you choose to join me on this journey, I hope I am able to impart some nutritional and lifestyle wisdom. Even though I may have gone off the rails temporarily I can still share some of my first hand experience as well as my acquired knowledge and training to help you make the right changes to live your best life.

Do You Want Help?

Would you like to have more energy, lose weight, sleep better, and balance your hormones? I am launching another  5 week Sugar Detox Program beginning January 28th.

This program is open to anyone who:

• would like to get control of their sugar cravings
• feel better
• have an abundance of energy
• and an overall increase in well-being.

Aren’t you tired of feeling bloated and lethargic?

If you continue to follow the path you’re on, where will it lead you in six months? a year? Isn’t it time to take a different approach?

What you have done in the past hasn’t worked or at least has not stuck. I can help you change that. Click here for a free consultation. We’ll discuss your challenges and your goals for the coming year and see if we’re a good fit. You have nothing to lose except those nasty cravings.

As a health coach, I work with women who are facing serious health challenges like heart disease, metabolic syndrome and diabetes or who have been diagnosed as having a precursor to a serious health issue such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or high blood sugar. I help them make food and lifestyle changes so they can get healthy, live longer and enjoy a fuller, happier, more energetic life. If you would like to have a free consultation about the health challenges you have and the improvements you would like to see in your health, click here to schedule a no strings attached call.