The keto diet has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. A high-fat, low-carb diet, keto promises to help with weight loss, boost athletic performance, and help dieters feel full and satisfied with the food they eat. But how much of this is fact, and how much is fiction? Here’s what you should know about the keto diet to determine if it’s right for you.
What Is Ketosis?
The keto diet gets its name from the “ketosis," a process believed to be critical in weight loss and the central idea of the whole diet. By reducing your intake of carbohydrates, you force your body to enter a state of ketosis that looks for other energy sources—namely fat. The burned fat builds up an acid called ketones which your body can then turn into energy while ridding itself of excess fat at the same time.
Early Weight Loss
An important thing you should know about the keto diet is that, in the first few weeks, you may lose a significant amount of weight very quickly. This is because your glycogen stores, your typical source of energy, are bound with water. As you burn through what glycogen remains, you’ll lose a lot of water weight, which can be deceiving.
This is where many people make one of two mistakes. Some people lose all this weight and decide they’re satisfied, ending their diet there. Unfortunately, since it’s mostly water weight, your body will naturally regain it again if you don’t keep up your diet. On the opposite end of the spectrum, people will see these quick results taper off as they continue their diet, which feels discouraging because the diet suddenly seems ineffective. Keeping this in mind will help you commit to the diet and understand that long-term progress will happen.
Helpful Ways To Start
As with any diet, getting started with keto is the hardest part. You’re unsure what you should eat, how much, or what recipes you should use. Making that process easier and more convenient is just one of the many reasons keto meal prep delivery services are great for beginners. Having keto meals delivered to your doorstep will introduce you to a whole new world of foods and recipes you may not have known, all while being friendly to your diet.
