![Diet Plans and Nutrition [Home]](/images/everydiet5.png "Every Diet [Home]"){kind=small}
Ketogenic Diet
A ketogenic diet is a diet high in fat and protein, and virtually no carbohydrate. This will force the body into a state of ketosis whereby ketones are used as a fuel source – rather than glucose.
Ketogenic diets have been used to treat epilepsy and for weight loss. Many body builders also use a ketogenic diet during their ‘cutting’ phase (attempting to burn as much fat as possible while retaining muscle mass). Ketogenic diets have gained some popularity due to the extensive media coverage of low/no carb diets such as Atkins.
Is a Ketogenic Diet Healthy?
A ketogenic diet is suitable for some people – but most definitely not all. Depriving the body of carbohydrates can place significant strain on the body – particularly liver and kidney function. Many people will feel considerably fatigued during the first few weeks of ketosis – the body is trying to adapt to using ketones as a fuel source. Ketones are a byproduct of fat metabolism (fat burning).
There are many opposite schools of thought regarding the safety of a ketogenic diet – however the fact that many epilepsy sufferers have successfully been using ketosis for years – certainly gives the diet some credence.
However, it must be done carefully. Many who start the diet stop it within a few days due to the fatigue and difficulty encountered.
See Also
The Ketogenic Diet: A Complete Guide for the Dieter and Practitioner which retails for $29.95.
www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/ketogenic.html – Information on the ketogenic diet from Epilepsy Action UK.
Other Ketogenic diets – Lindora, Atkins
I have two tips for you all.
First: those who are worried they aren’t losing much weight – take measurements instead of looking at the scales. I have lost an average 1/2 centimetre a day off my waist and hips. Regular diets encourage the body to strip muscle and lose water so it LOOKS like you are losing weight. This doesn’t happen (as much) on a keto diet, so don’t be discouraged by stubborn scales.
Second: It is hard to get enough fibre since we can’t eat grains. But, excessive consumption of no-sugar lollies has a laxative effect
(although, cravings for sugar should disappear on a keto diet, so if you are doing it long term, stay away from them otherwise the cravings will persist)
Hi,
to A.Goodwin – you’re a real QUACK and FOOL. Please get your facts straightened out and stop providing FALSE and MISLEADING information to others. Not all Ketogenic diets are high in fats. Atkins definitely is, but there are others that promote foods with low glycemic index and lower fats. Goodwin, your ideas are very narrow-minded and you have limited information. Obviously, your source of information is from one source only, as you seem to believe that there is only ONE REAL Ketogenic diet out there. There are many ketogenic diets our there. Atkins is one of them, and unfortunately it is high in fats. There are many low fat ketogenic diets that are medically supervised and the doctors check your bloodwork to ensure you’re not deficient in any areas. Obviously, the only ketogenic diets you have some knowledge on is Atkins and a ketogenic diet for epileptics. That, however, doesn’t make you an expert. So please STOP MISLEADING people with incorrect information based on your very limited twisted knowledge.
I’m responding to kenyatta above. I live in MI and am currently in the process of starting my child on the ketogenic diet through his neurologist and nutritionist at the University of MI hospital you may want to contact them they have already been so great and seem to really know what thry’re doing
Can i eat Fritos and Chimichangas ?
I’ve lost 130 since the begain of this year on the ketogenic diet
Does anyone have thoughts on drinking protein shakes to replace meals? I just started drinking no carb, low fat, 50g protein/serving shakes twice a day. I still try to eat at least one meal of solid food each day. Comments/concerns?
Something else to consider, cancer feeds on sugar. If you cut that out of your diet, it won’t have the ability to grow. Most all of us could benefit from this type of diet.
For starters, for Mags, they are called GALLstones, not golf stones, as in from your GALLbladder. You are thoroughly confused.
Something to think about adding to try to stop from developing stones is whey protein shakes, make sure you are not getting dehydrated (drink lots of water), and add supplements.
I have been on a ketogenic diet for about 2 months and I feel great. I am insulin resistant and my cholesterol and blood sugar levels are looking better than ever. I am on my way to refeeding in about another month since I’m close to my weight loss goal. I think you need to be closely monitored by a doctor to prevent kidney and liver issues. Good luck everyone.
Hi,
I’d just like to point out that not ALL ketogenic diets are high in fat. In fact, the ones that are are far more dangerous.
There are several ketogenic diets which promote healthy living and aren’t high in fat. High protein and low fat and carb are definitely the best options for ketogenic diets.
Just thought I’d point that out.
I am on the cambridge diet for the 2 nd time first time I lost 3 and a half stone and I got golf stones I had never suffered from them before and I was in and out of hospital on a regular basis so I gave up the diet and guess what the weight came creeping back on so here I am again back on the diet and keeping my fingers crossed that I don’t get golf stones again . Does anyone know of a way to prevent golf stones while on the Cambridge diet thanks
Kidney stones due to ketogenic diet may very well be caused by not drinking enough water. Ketons are acidic in nature, and having too much keton in your bloodstream will damage your kidneys. Energy wise, past the first couple of days; if you’re consuming enough fats you’ll get same amount of energy. Early man (2-3 million years ago) was already on a ketogenic diet, and that’s how our bodies are evolved. 10.000 years of farming doesn’t mean your bodies will tolerate the amount of carbs you’re eating
I know a fellow who did this and lost a lot of weight quickly (over 6 months). Then he had several kidney stones (never had a kidney problem before the diet). I’ll skip anything this drastic – can not be healthy for a ‘normal’, healthy body.
As someone who never tried low carb before (I LOVE pasta and bread), I gave keto a go three days ago. I’m eating about 10-15 grams of carbs a day. It was a significant change, but already I’m feeling more full of energy and don’t get constant hunger pangs like I used to. Been full of energy during all my workouts as well.
Not sure why you say people will experience lethargy/fatigue. Quite the opposite for me. Your mileage may vary, of course.
@ Danja:
I have to respectfully disagree. I have read more research in saying that our brains run off glucose more than anything else. I think a major danger is that people switch to this diet then do loads of exercise and crash then give up. also, it does effect your liver and kidney for a bit, until you adapt. I personally use a generally low carb diet, as I love bread and rice. I would not recommend this diet to anyone however; not that I would sit and criticize someone on it either.
Is this diet approved for diabetic’s
Kenyatta-
Ask your Neurologist. My daughter has epilepsy and we tried the Keto for her. She was 5 and also has Autism, she didn’t tolerate well. However, I have a number of friends that their kids are now seizure free from being on the Keto diet. Not sure about adults, but my daughter was actually admitted to the hospital for 5 days so they could monitor her and so the hospital dietician could teach us how to make her foods. If you can’t tolerate the Keto diet, you can try the modified Atkins. While you wait on the Neuro, look for yahoo boards that support this topic.
Good luck…praying you are sz free soon!!
@Ashley, I was on the Dillard diet before and it was amazing!!! I am currently doing it on my own, simply because I can’t afford it. I am on day 5 and if my memory serves me correctly, this is the day I get to introduce vegetables??? If you wouldn’t mind refreshing my mind…I would greatly appreciate it. You can post here. As for all the naysayers, we all have to do what we feel is best for our bodies. I had zero issues while on the Dillard diet, my general practitioner was impressed!
this article is full of information, well written. So, i WANT TO GIVE THANKS TO THE ARTICLE WRITTER.
i live in mi! i wonder if anyone knows a dr i can get this diet from?? very interested to try it as i am overweight AND i have epilepsy!! it’s never been suggested nor offered to me! HELP!!
I don’t know why people say this diet is unhealthy. It isn’t, and our brain can function better off ketones than glucose.
@ Goodwin…..your opinion has been noted! While I can sympathesize with you for having a child with such health issues, I do not tolerate disrepect..which is exactly what you are giving to everyone on the site. I do not have the time to lookup all the information on epilepsy and their effects with ketogenic diets, but Im sure you have done the research as a parent and that is wonderful. However, by just looking up information on the internet and asking a couple doctors, does not make you an expert on how many ways this diet can be helpful. While it may have started for a specic purpose(like epilepsy), so have many other meds and treatments out there. It is obviously working for people with diebetes, adhd, etc., it can also be used for weight loss.
I am currently using the “Ketogenic Diet” called the Dillard Diet. It requires a very strict food intake and monitoring by a doctor(in office) once a week. To even start the diet, you must have a consult with the doctor as well as complete blood work taken. Im not sure where the fat came in with some of these posts but on this diet, there is no fat. Your first five days are nothing but protein(very lean meat and only 800 calories a day). After five days, you will introduce two vegatables and 2 fruits a day into the mix. Now with this, you have a daily intake of appetite suppresants, a nutritional supplements and calcium cyruvates along with your b-12 shot that you get once a week. I am on my 8th day on the diet and have lost 12.5 pounds. All while being monitored by my doctor. And yes, I do weigh my food!
My point is though, while this diet may have been started for persons like your son, there is no reason why it cannot help others as well. You said yourself that it was made in the 1920′s….umm that was almost a hundred years ago..I think more research has been done since then.
A Goodwin, your posts are not helpful to anyone (not to mention deluded!) take your anger out somewhere else.