As with most other popular diets, there are often many questions that people need to know before they begin. So in this article, we’ll answer the most common keto diet questions, to give you all the details you need to see if it’s the best weight loss diet for you.
Keto Diet FAQ’s
Is The Keto Diet Healthy?
Like all diets, none are meant to be long-term. Diets, for the most part, mean a temporary way to lose weight. And the keto diet is no exception to this.
The rules of the diet mean you eat high levels of fat, low levels of carbs, and almost no fruit or vegetables. This just cannot be sustained for the long term. It might be great for losing fat and weight in the beginning but it’s too strict to stay on for months at a time.
Your body needs essential nutrients and many of these come from fruit and vegetables. If you’re not getting them from other sources then your body won’t be healthy for the long term.
So, is the keto diet healthy? Not for long term use. But can it make you lose weight fast? Oh yes!
Is Ketosis Bad For The Body?
Being in a state of ketosis means that your body is using fat as it’s an energy source and not glucose or carbohydrates. In basic terms, the excess fat you have on your body will be used instead of the foods that you consume. So for losing fat, being in a ketosis state is great.
As for being bad on the body? If it’s used for short term weight loss, there are no studies we have found to prove it is bad for the body.
Are You Allowed Alcohol On The Keto Diet?
For those of you who like a drink now and again, the good news is you are allowed to have alcohol on the keto diet. But naturally, this doesn’t mean you can get drunk every single night! It just means you don’t have to completely cut it out.
Just drink alcohol that doesn’t boost your carb levels up too much. Beer should be last on your list. Wine is better but not as good as spirits. Most spirits contain no carbs at all, so for a low carb diet like keto, they are great. Just be careful about the mixers you use, don’t use sugary ones that will give you a high amount of carbs and empty calories.
If you’re over 40 and looking to try a keto diet, here’s a great solution:
Is The Keto Diet Safe?
Switching your body to be in a ketosis state, should not be bad for you. It’s actually natural for it to be in this state. But this is normally a temporary state, so the diet should also only be used for short periods.
Use it for weight loss but not for your long term lifestyle choice.
What Percentage Of Carbs To Eat On Keto Diet?
The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet. Therefore, the amount of carbs you are allowed to have is very low. Typically the macros will look like this:
Fat = 75%
Protein = 20%
Carbs = 5%
Having this level of low carb is what forces your body into the ketosis state. If you cheat or get these macros wrong, the body will not be in ketosis and will not be burning fat. So you must get them right for the diet to be successful.
Is The Keto Diet Best For Weight Loss?
If done correctly, the keto diet can help anyone to lose weight fast. The amount of weight will vary for each person. Someone who is obese can lose a lot of fat quickly but someone who is only slightly overweight will not lose as much.
If you need to lose weight fast, then the keto diet can certainly help you to do that. For the long term, then you’ll need to switch up your nutrition to make sure your body is getting what it needs to remain healthy.
Can You Eat Fruit On The Keto Diet?
Fruit contains a lot of natural sugars. These sugars are carbs and the keto diet is a low carb diet. So you have to be very careful when eating fruit. Stick to the lower carb varieties like raspberries, blueberries, and even raw coconut in low amounts and it shouldn’t throw off your keto levels too much.
Which Keto Snacks Can I Eat?
As with any low carb diet, dealing with the hunger when you first begin will be a challenge. So it’s no wonder people look for the snacks they can eat. The problem is, most snacks are either high in carbs or high in sugar. This will kill your ketosis and the diet won’t work.
But the good news is that some snacks can be eaten in small amounts. These include nuts, seeds, and berries. Some vegetables like cucumber and broccoli can also be consumed as snacks too.
But the snacks you may really be cravings like chocolate, chips, popcorn, and biscuits, well they are out of the window!
How To Avoid Keto Flu?
A common complaint about being on this diet is the keto flu. This basically means you can feel very low in energy and feel like you have the regular flu. It’s caused because your body is using fat, not glucose. So it takes some time to get used to it. Often the symptoms only last a week or two, then they disappear. It’s something you can’t do much to avoid.
Keto Diet For Over 40-Year-Old People, Can It Be Done?
The keto diet will work for people of all ages. But you may have to change the macro percentages slightly. This is because your body may need more nutrients than someone younger. Your metabolism may also be slower, so switching to very low carb may have an effect. There are keto diets specifically for the over 40’s and you can check out our review of one here.
Hopefully, the answers to these common keto diet questions will help you to decide if the diet is for you.
