Keto Diet : How to tell if the keto diet will work for you, according to a dietitian
Because it certainly isn't the best weight loss method for everyone.
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a diet is whether the diet is actually right for you.
Just because other people are sprouting the praises of a particular regime does not necessarily mean that it will work just as well for your lifestyle. So if you have been considering adopting keto, here are some indicators that it may be the right option for you.
1. You are not getting results with other regimes
If you have been dieting or trying to lose weight for some time, you may find that after awhile specific diets tend to stop working as the body recalibrates and adjusts to the new regimes. This means that if weight loss remains the goal, the key is to change things around.
So, if you have tried a range of dieting regimes such as fasting, low calorie or high protein diets and are now finding they are no longer working, it may be worth trying keto for a period of time to see if an entirely different regime supports further weight loss.
2. You have large amounts of weight to lose
If you have a goal of losing relatively large amounts of weight, or more than 20kg, keep in mind that traditional weight loss regimes will result in losses of just one to two kilos a week at most.
On the other hand, if you induce ketosis you may find that weight loss on keto is much quicker, helping you to keep motivated and more likely to lose large amounts of weight long term.
3. You like eating fat
Keto is not just a low carb regime, rather it is a high-fat one. This means that you will be eating a lot of fatty meat, avocado, oils and creamy sauces. If you enjoy these types of food you will find keto relatively easy to follow.
However, if you love nothing more than fresh fruit and vegetables you may find it difficult to stick to keto as strictly as you will need to in order to achieve significant weight loss over a two to four week period.
4. You can stick to it 99 per cent of the time
Keto diets work but the secret to success is compliance - you cannot do keto by halves. You need to get your macros right almost 100 per cent of the time and stick to your high fat, low carb diet.
Slipping in an occasional chocolate bar, or slice or two of bread will instantly take your metabolism out of ketosis meaning you will again need to take a day or two to achieve ketosis again. If you are good at sticking to diets for a few weeks at a time, keto may be for you. On the other hand, if you struggle to get through a day of dieting without a treat slipping in, there is a better weight loss options for you.
5. You do not have other hormonal conditions
Medical conditions including PCOS and insulin resistance have significant effects on the body’s ability to burn fat effectively. As such, a high fat keto diet may not always produce the weight loss results achieved for someone who does not have these underlying hormonal issues.
If you do have either or both of these conditions, work closely with a dietitian to determine if keto may be for you, as in some cases keto may do more harm than good when it comes to managing your hormone levels.
Susie Burrell is a nutritionist. Follow her on Twitter: @SusieBDiet.
Source bodyandsoul.com.au
