The ketogenic diet is a diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates which, in turn, increases the production of ketones in your body; a process called ketosis (the term which it is named after).
The philosophy behind this diet is that if your body is deprived of glucose (contained in carbs), the levels of insulin drop and the body starts using fat as its main fuel source.
The keto diet is based on the consumption of foods rich in good fats like olive oil, dry nuts, seeds, avocados, olives, tahini, dry nut butter and fatty fish. Food consumed in lower quantities includes bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, fruit, sugar, honey, etc.
- Possible diet benefits: A feeling of repletion due to fat intake, the reduction of hormones that increase appetite, the increased energy consumption due to the metabolic transformation of the fat and its proteins into glucose and the propulsion of fat-loss in relation to fat-free body mass.
Possible side effects: The application of a ketogenic diet may cause certain side effects, especially in the first period applied. The most common symptoms are not serious but may last from days to weeks; headache, fatigue, nausea, tiredness, constipation. Other negative side effects of following a keto diet for longer periods include kidney stones, osteoporosis and increased levels of uric acid in the blood.