Keto diets have become widely popular in recent times. But there is a lot of confusion surrounding this diet on whether it is unsustainable and difficult to follow. First, let us look at what is a Ketogenic Diet. It is a diet that promotes ketosis in the body and helps lose weight. To do this, you have to consume less than 50gms of carbs in a day. The diet is therefore rich in proteins and fats such as:
You are generally required to avoid foods such as sugar, grains, starch, alcohol, and unhealthy fats. There are many benefits to this diet such as quick weight loss and less feeling of starvation. It also helps people to lower blood sugar level if they have diabetes.
Why is it unsustainable?
As the keto diet enforces strict rules on what can be eaten and what cannot, it often becomes difficult to follow. There is a lack of variety in the foods you can consume. There are also various side effects such as bad breath, nausea, and constipation that you may want to avoid. It is also possible that people may experience fatigue while on the keto diet. These are the reason why people sometimes prefer low-fat diets over low carb diets. But recent studies have shown that both these diets actually have equal success rates.
There is a way to get around this conundrum and still follow a diet to lose weight. Along with the prescribed intake of carbs, one must also follow specific additional diet instructions. You must consume nutrient dense and minimally processed foods that will keep your body supplied with all necessary nutrients. Vegetable intake must be maximized and try to prepare meals at home whenever possible using less refined flour, sugar, and trans fats. This modified diet has shown outstanding results in various studies. It is not just useful for weight loss but also keeps your body healthy without much side effects. It may be difficult to follow this diet as most of the readily available food products are highly processed. But if you actually take the pain to shop for these whole foods, the results can be very rewarding.
Looking at these diets as a strict regimen can cause a lot of emotional stress. Instead look at them as a process of developing good eating habits. Adjust your lifestyle as well to suit your health needs as this can also play a huge role in your body’s functions.
Conclusion:
The usual keto diet may deal quick and wonderful results. But on a long-term basis, it cannot be sustained and may have adverse health issues. The weight loss also may not be long-lasting. The weight is often regained after the diet is stopped or altered. Therefore it is not safe to attempt such a diet without professional supervision. Instead of this adopt a wholesome approach to health. Take some time out every day to care for your body and mind. Consume a variety of healthy foods and lots of water. Also couple the diet with exercise for achieving long-lasting results.