It’s all the rage today in the world of keeping fit and it’s got the likes of Kim Kardashian adoring it — so what is the ketogenic diet and how does it work?
Australian author, Scott Gooding, released his new book, The Keto Diet – A 60-Day Protocol to Boost Your Health in 2018 — and the world was never the same again. Scott said that with the keto diet, he not only cut down his weight, but it dramatically improved his mind and body, and even healed his injuries. But how does it do what it does?
What is the Ketogenic Diet?
A ketogenic diet is ‘a low-carb diet, where the body produces ketones in the liver to be used as energy.’ It’s also known as a low-carb high-fat (LCHF) eating plan, which include the other known diet plans, Paleo and Atkins.
“It’s a very normal approach insofar as our ancestors would have been in ketosis for much of their existence. It’s nothing alien to our bodies – it’s just a metabolic state whereby we burn fat as a primary fuel source,” Scott told FEMAIL.
He said that by manipulating the macronutrients, such as the major food groups of protein, carbohydrates and fat, in your body, and just fasting a bit, your body will go into ketosis mode automatically. “While you don’t need to be in ketosis all the time, even if you were to fast once a fortnight or once a month, you will see life-enhancing benefits,” Scott explained.
While people doing the keto diet, obviously lose weight, they’re gaining something more in terms of their cognitive function.
“Not only will you become a fat-burning machine, but you will also have improved cognitive function.
“It’s like giving your brain higher octane fuel as opposed to unleaded. You’ll get rid of brain fog, you’ll find yourself being more productive and lighter and brighter than ever,” he said.
The Diet Plan
Scott said that under the Keto diet plan, one can eat:
- Meat
- Fish
- Poultry
- Eggs
- Non-starchy below-ground vegetables
- Leafy greens
- Dairy
- Full fat, and
- Small amount of fruit
However, sugars and white, refined carbs are not allowed.
“Plenty of fresh produce and vegetables, especially above ground vegetables like mushrooms, cauliflower, broccoli etc,” he said, saying it’s best to make “vegetables the hero of the plate, and putting your protein as the condiment“.
He also recommends reducing the consumption of “packaged foods and industrial oils like vegetable oil and canola oil.” Instead, he suggested replacing them with extra virgin olive oil and MCT oil.
MCT oil is considered as ‘one of the ‘magic ingredients’ in the health industry’ because of its ability to ‘avoid the normal pathways in the body that fat does, instead going straight to the liver’.
“When it does this, the ketones become available to every cell in the body,” Scott said. “It’s like that high quality fuel for your body.”
He suggests consuming around 3-6 tablespoons each day, mixed in coffees (commonly called Bulletproof coffee), smoothies and more.
Here are Scott’s tips on how to Start on the Keto Diet:
1. Embrace real food.
2. Cleanse your pantry and fridge so there is no temptation hanging around.
3. Get rid of any pro-inflammatory oils you have, replacing them with coconut oil, olive oil, ghee and butter.
4. You need to approach how and what you eat differently.
5. Cooking at home will be your saviour in this kind of diet.
6. If you need to buy yourself a new recipe book to get motivated, then do it.
“The foundation needs to be around real cooking and cooking from home. Set yourself up for success there and you can’t go wrong,” Scott said.
Source: Dailymail.co.uk
Would you try this diet? Or have you already?
