Before deciding if the keto diet plan is right for you, you first need to ask yourself what your reasoning or want is to actually be on a low-carb diet? Are you wanting to lose weight? Just cut back on the amount of sugar that you are consuming, or is there some sort of underlying medical condition that a physician or doctor has told you that you need to consider being on a low-carb diet for?
Benefits of Keto
- Weight Loss - Probably the most common reason people pursue the keto diet is to lose weight. Many new "ketoers" lose a significant amount right away - with even more weight loss over time as their body transitions into fat-burning from carb-burning.
- Decrease Inflammation - Foods that are approved for the ketogenic diet have been shown to help decrease inflammation helping relieve pain from ailments such as arthritis, psoriasis, eczema, IBS and more.
- Increase Fertility - By stabilizing blood sugars and hormones, the keto diet helps enhance fertility and also aids in treating symptoms of PCOS such as infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods, acne, and obesity.
- Lowers Blood Pressure - Low-carb diets are an effective way to reduce blood pressure, which should lead to a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and other diseases.
- Mental Clarity - There are dozens of studies that show increased brain function on the ketogenic diet, but speak to any long-term Keto Dieter and they will tell you - the "brain fog" is lifted almost immediately once the state of ketosis is reached.
Starting a low-carb diet is actually fairly simple to do. There are no medications that are needed to start, but it is always smart to consult with a physician before deciding to start any type of diet yourself.
Getting Started With The Keto Diet
The hardest obstacle to overcome when getting started with the keto diet plan is the mental battle. Many beginners succumb to the initial feeling of being limited by the food choices that are present around you. It's amazing to come face to face with the foods that you "can't" have once you've made the decision to eliminate them from your diet!
While you may not have ever noticed the abundance of carbs present at your meals and your gatherings, it will become very obvious once you have to start being picky about the food items that you are able to consume that promote the low-carb lifestyle.
Keep positive about your low-carb diet choice! There are a TON of amazing and delicious keto recipes that you can still enjoy each and every day without feeling restricted in any way. Another huge bonus? The low-carb lifestyle isn't a new concept, so there are a giant array of great cookbooks out there that you can reference for some food inspiration when you need it.
Foods that are "Approved" for the Low-Carb Diet
While this list doesn't even come close to listing every type of food that is good to go on the diet, it gives you an idea of the ones that are free game for you to enjoy during your change of diet.
- Cruciferous Vegetables. Not all veggies are created equal! Cruciferous Vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, cauliflower, and Brussel sprouts are just a few that are simple to eat and can be enjoyed cooked or raw. The beautiful thing about incorporating more veggies into your lifestyle? There are so many ways to cook them that they never get old to eat! You can bake them, boil them, and even grill them on those nice summer nights.
- Cheese. Yes, you can enjoy cheese on your low-carb diet. Whew! While it may be higher in fat content, it's lower in carbs which makes it fit into the parameters of what's considered a safe food to eat when eating low-carb.
- Meat. While meat is also free to consume, just remember that not all meats are considered equal. If your diet only consists of eating bacon, then there's the chance that your gut may not react well to that high of fat content on a consistent basis. (Again, consulting with your physician is always recommended before ANY change of diet!) Change up your meat choices for a more balanced approach, and to keep your food choices exciting.
- Nuts. Almonds, cashews and sesame seeds are just a few of the nuts that are low-carb approved and pack a powerful punch of protein for your body. Why not create an awesome trail mix for yourself to have in your car for when that hunger may strike? Nothing says ease like a premade low-carb approved snack.
- Healthy Fats. Avocados, Olive Oils, and other healthy fats will help you to not only feel satiated while on the keto diet, but they will also fuel your body with the fat you need to run at your optimum potential.
Do your research to find the entire list of food items that you can eat, as there are so many options out there!
Before deciding if a low-carb lifestyle is right for you, you need to understand what you are trying and wanting to accomplish. Once you have that mind frame figured out, your decision and your determination will help you make certain that you stay on course to reach your goals. The sooner you start, the quicker those results may be achieved and you may find that you are amazed by how simple the low-carb lifestyle truly is for you!
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