If you are looking for a major nutritional boost to your focus and energy levels and want to take charge of your weight, then the ketogenic diet (keto diet) is something you should give a try. This eating style has gained popularity in recent years thanks to celebrity dietitians and Hollywood stars like Kim Kardashian and Halle Berry.
But this is not just another fad or hype. This really works. The keto diet, a high-fat eating style, was developed during the 1920s as a remedy for epilepsy. It was widely successful, and since then, it has gained more usage in the fitness and entrepreneurship industries thanks to its brain-enhancing and fat-burning abilities.
7 Surprising Things That Can Happen On The Keto Diet
Many people don’t realize that following the ketogenic diet is not something you can do over the weekend. It is more of a lifestyle change that will affect many aspects of your life. It drastically changes your food choices and restructures your metabolism.
The keto diet can have a significant impact on your body. Both good and bad. In this article, we go over the 7 main things that can and will happen to your body, if you choose to give this eating style a green light.
- Rapid weight loss
One of the main reasons people get on the keto wagon is weight loss. It has a reputation as an eating style of quick and aggressive fat loss. But this is not a starvation diet; it is the opposite. To enter and stay in ketosis, one needs to eat a lot of fat, which are fulfilling and enjoyable.
The first drastic weight drop comes from the removed water weight. Thanks to high-fat foods, your body will excrete a lot of water and salt, so it’s important to be hydrated during the diet.
If you have struggled with losing weight in the past, then you are in luck, because it’s way easier to burn fat during the keto diet than with other diets. This is because high-fat foods are very enjoyable and fulfilling. You will probably have difficulty eating enough food, not the opposite. The second triumph that the ketogenic diet has is its ability to suppress hunger and cravings. As long as you are not cheating during keto, you will not have any late-night cravings or constant fights with hunger.
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- The keto-flu
Yes, you read it right, the keto-flu. And nope, this has nothing to do with common flu. In order for you to enjoy all the magical benefits of the keto diet, your body will need to enter ketosis, a metabolic state where your body produces ketone bodies and uses them as the main source of energy.
The road to ketosis can take some time, and during that transitioning period, your body will experience the keto-flu. The keto-flu is just a list of symptoms that occur when your body depletes its glycogen stores and slowly switches to using fat as the primary source of energy.
The main reason behind the keto-flu is the dehydration and associated electrolyte abnormalities. Some keto-flu symptoms include insomnia, fatigue, brain fog, and mood swings. But don’t be scared. Keto-flu is a good sign; it means that you are on the right track and will be in ketosis.
- Loss of appetite
Probably the number one reason why people have been so successful following the ketogenic eating style. Long story short, you don’t get as hungry as before. Don’t get me wrong, you will still feel hungry if you don’t eat a longer period of time, but these nasty cravings and late-night snack festivals are gone.
The first reason is that removing carbs from your menu, you can say goodbye to those nasty blood sugar spikes that you get from eating high-carb foods. The second reason is that high-fat foods are very fulfilling. You will probably find it difficult at first to eat enough fat to enter ketosis. And last, fatty foods are very satiating.
You won’t get any cravings and the energy flow from the foods is way more stable. You can be on the run the whole day without feeling down, as it was with carb-rich diets.
- Enhanced focus
Your unbalanced diet can lead to a lack of mental clarity and mental fog, and you may struggle to stay focused on tasks. But the good news is that your brain loves fat. Why? Because it’s an awesome energy source for your brain: it’s more stable and fulfilling.
During the keto diet, you will experience several cognitive benefits, like minimized brain fog, increased focus, mental clarity, stable energy, and mood. It helps to shut the noise up in your head. Use it together with meditation and you can improve your life quality drastically. It helps you focus for long periods of time. For example, if you need to study, read and learn, then ketosis will give you a proper energy boost.
- The keto breath
As you remove carbs from your daily menu, your body will start to adapt to the situation. It will deplete all the glycogen stores in the liver and start to transition to burn fat as the main energy source. During this process, your body creates ketone bodies, which your brain and body will use as energy.
One of the symptoms of ketosis is the keto breath, sometimes called the dragon breath. This happens because when your body is in ketosis, it produces a larger amount of acetone. The acetone is eliminated from your body as you breathe. It has a somewhat metallic taste.
The main takeaway here is that you are on the right track. The keto breath doesn’t last forever; just take some sugar-free mints or gum and you will be good to go.
- Stable energy levels
Once your body is keto-adapted, you can see real changes in your mood and weight and see additional benefits. Usually, it takes around 6–12 weeks if your diet is in place and you are not cheating your meals.
By that time, you will definitely see a change in your weight, but moreover, you can see a change in your energy levels. Unlike other diets, which cause energy spikes thanks to carbohydrate-rich diet, the keto diet provides a stable level of energy through the day.
- Toilet issues
Nope, your toilet will not be broken, but your digestive system will be disturbed. What am I talking about? I am indicating that you will not be pooping as you used to. The first step to entering ketosis is to remove the carbs from the daily menu. Together with carbs, you will also remove most foods which are high in fiber. This, on the other hand, can cause constipation.
Constipation during the keto diet is nothing new and can be easily overcome. Just be sure to eat high fiber keto foods and you will be on top of your toilet routine one again. Main high fiber keto foods, that you should definitely be eating are most green and leafy vegetables. Some of them are Brussel sprouts, cabbage, asparagus, broccoli, and spinach. Other awesome foods include avocados and flaxseeds.
If you are looking for some keto recipes, you can always head over to our keto recipes section. We don’t have a lot, but there are a few and don’t forget to follow us via Pinterest where you can find all sorts of awesomeness.
If you have questions or concerns about the information provided above please consult with a professional.
