Weight loss is a common goal for many people, whether it's for improving health, enhancing physical appearance, or boosting self-confidence. Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight involves a combination of balanced eating, regular physical activity, and lifestyle changes. This guide will explore some effective strategies and tips for successful weight loss.
## Key Strategies for Weight Loss
1. **Balanced Diet**
- **Nutrient-Dense Foods**: Focus on consuming nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
- **Portion Control**: Be mindful of portion sizes to avoid overeating. Using smaller plates can help control portions.
- **Limit Processed Foods**: Reduce intake of foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.
2. **Regular Physical Activity**
- **Aerobic Exercises**: Engage in activities like walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming for at least 150 minutes per week.
- **Strength Training**: Incorporate exercises like weightlifting or body-weight exercises at least twice a week to build muscle and boost metabolism.
3. **Healthy Lifestyle Changes**
- **Consistent Sleep**: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night to support metabolism and overall health.
- **Stress Management**: Practice stress-reducing techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.
- **Hydration**: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and support bodily functions.
## Tips for Successful Weight Loss
- **Set Realistic Goals**: Aim for a gradual weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week, which is considered safe and sustainable.
- **Keep a Food Diary**: Track your meals and snacks to identify eating patterns and areas for improvement.
- **Seek Support**: Join a weight loss group or find a friend to partner with for motivation and accountability.
- **Celebrate Small Victories**: Recognize and reward your progress along the way to stay motivated.
## Common Challenges and Solutions
1. **Plateaus**: When weight loss slows down, try adjusting your exercise routine or re-evaluating your diet to overcome plateaus.
2. **Cravings**: Manage cravings by allowing yourself occasional treats in moderation or finding healthier alternatives.
3. **Time Constraints**: Incorporate quick, effective workouts and prepare meals in advance to save time.
## Conclusion
Weight loss is a personal journey that requires dedication, patience, and a positive mindset. By adopting a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and making sustainable lifestyle changes, you can achieve your weight loss goals and improve your overall well-being. Remember, the key to lasting success is consistency and perseverance.
If you want to lose weight rapidly before a job interview, reunion, wedding or vacation, this article will show you how to lose 50 pounds in 2 months without exercise.
Some people argue that fast weight loss is bad. But that’s not true. Losing weight fast actually has some advantages.
For one, you don’t need a lot of willpower to lose weight fast. It’s easier to maintain a calorie deficit for 2 months than it is to eat less for a year.
Second, research shows that people who lose weight fast in the first few weeks end up losing more weight in the long run. And they keep the weight off longer than slow and steady dieters.
The truth is losing weight slowly doesn’t guarantee that you’ll keep it off. The important thing is to choose a diet and exercise plan you can stick to long-term.
Most of the tips below are easy to stick to long-term.
Note that it’s easier for someone who is 100+ pounds overweight to lose 50 pounds in 2 months than it is for someone who is 50 pounds overweight.
How to Lose 50 Pounds in 2 Months without Exercise
1. Eat two raw fruits and/or vegetables before every meal
Overeating is the main reason people gain weight. Eating two fruits or veggies before each meal will increase fullness and prevent overeating.
Fruits and veggies are low in calories and contain fiber. Research shows that fiber keeps hunger at bay and enhances weight loss. Fruits and veggies will also give you vitamins and minerals.
For instance, you could eat 2 carrots before lunch and two apples before dinner.
Some fruits like grapefruit have been proven to boost metabolism and enhance fat burning.
2. Don’t eat more than 4 meals a day
One of the biggest nutrition myths is that eating frequently boosts metabolism. Studies show that meal frequency does not affect metabolism.
Eating less than 4 meals a day can help you lose 50 pounds in 2 months because you’ll end up consuming fewer calories.
I may also note that it is easier to track calories when you eat fewer meals.
3. Eat less than 300 calories in each meal
Even though other factors like hormones and metabolism affect weight loss, calories are the main determinant of weight loss.
Eating 300 calories per meal will total to 1200 calories a day if you eat 4 meals. And if you add the calories from fruits and veggies you’ll end up consuming about 1500 calories.
Feel free to consume less than 300 calories if you’re not hungry. The less you eat the better.
Eating low-calorie-nutrient-dense foods will allow you to eat fewer calories without feeling hungry all the time. Here are low calories foods you can add to your diet.
4. Track your calories
Counting calories is tiresome and can sometimes turn into an obsessive behavior. But if done correctly it can enhance weight loss and prevent underestimating calories – a common mistake among dieters.
Keep adjusting your calorie intake until you find what works for you. If you’re not losing weight, lower your calorie intake by 200-300 calories.
5. Drink two glasses of water 20 minutes before each meal
Drinking two glasses of water before each meal can prevent overeating.
In this study, participants who drank water before meals lost 44 percent more weight than those who didn’t drink water before meals.
6. Drink more than 2 liters of water a day
Drinking enough water can instantly make you lighter because it eliminates water retention and bloating.
If you’re not a fan of water, here are clean eating drinks you can enjoy.
Don’t drink calorie-containing beverages like diet soda or fresh fruit juice. Stick to zero/ low-calorie beverages.
Water has been proven to boost metabolism. And drinking 2 liters of water can help you burn an extra 96 calories.
“I had a client who lost 20 pounds in 1 week after adding JUST water to his diet. He was so bloated, his rings did not fit him, stomach was large, and socks would indent his lower legs when he removed them.”
Stew Smith, Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
7. Eat fat burning foods
Have you heard of fat burning foods? These are foods that boost metabolism, curb cravings and enhance fat burning.
Realize that a calorie isn’t a calorie. 200 calories from veggies aren’t equal to 200 calories from a piece of cake. Veggies contain fiber which will keep you full. A piece of cake contains sugar which increases cravings and triggers binge eating.
8. Cook your own meals
Research shows that people who cook their own meals weigh less than those who eat out.
One explanation is that restaurant food is high in calories. Plus, it’s harder to track calories when you eat out.
Cooking your own meals won’t be enough, you have to cook healthy delicious meals. Otherwise, you won’t stick to healthy eating habits long-term if you can’t cook delicious meals. Use this cookbook to learn how to cook healthy delicious meals in minutes.
9. Don’t drink alcohol
Drinking alcohol can hinder weight loss. Most alcoholic beverages are high in calories. Plus alcohol causes dehydration.
If you have to drink alcohol, drink red wine. Research shows it has anti-aging effects and can lower the risk of Alzheimer’s. Moderate consumption of champagne, spirits, and light beer is okay.
10. Try intermittent fasting
Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern which allows you to only eat at specific times. The most popular method requires one to fast for 16 hours and eat during the 8-hour eating window.
Most intermittent fasting enthusiasts eat one big meal a day. As I mentioned earlier, eating one meal will make it easier to track calories.
Intermittent fasting may be challenging the first few days but you’ll get used to it.
Research shows that intermittent fasting enhances weight loss and reduces belly fat.
Here are other benefits of intermittent fasting.
11. Cut sugar out of your diet
Frankly, it’s hard to lose 50 pounds in two 2 months without quitting sugar. Sugar is high in calories and causes weight gain.
It’s not just table sugar you should avoid. Most processed foods are loaded with sugar. And manufacturers use fancy names to hide it.
To be safe, avoid all processed foods and drinks. Even fresh fruit juice.
It’s not always advisable to weigh yourself every day. But you may need to do it during the 2-month period. Seeing the results will motivate you to stay consistent.
Step on the scale less frequently once you reach your weight goal. Maybe once a week.
13. Stick to the plan on weekends
Did you know that most people lose weight on weekdays only to sabotage the progress on weekends?
Research shows that most people overeat on weekends. This is mainly due to idleness and overindulging in social events.
Don’t change your diet on the weekends. Remember to eat fruits and drink water before meals, eat less than 4 meals a day and consume less than 300 calories per meal.
14. Don’t drink calorie-containing beverages
Calorie-containing beverages can slow weight loss because they increase the total daily calorie intake.
Stay away from sodas, fruit juice, beer, diet soda, milk, energy drinks.
You’re better off drinking green tea or lemon water.
15. You may need exercise
Even though you can lose 50 pounds in 2 months without exercise, exercising regularly can help a great deal.
Exercise can help you burn more calories, prevent muscle loss, strengthen bones and control appetite.
Even simple exercises like walking can help.
The best strategy is to combine strength training and cardio. Aim to exercise 4-5 times a week.
Final word
It’s possible to lose 50 pounds in 2 months without exercise. Many people have done it, and you can do it too.
The most important thing is to choose a diet plan you can stick to long-term. If you need a step-by-step plan, the VFX BODY program may work for you. It is designed to help women lose fat without starving themselves or exercising for hours.
Turning to a high-fat, low-carb diet may be the key to unlocking weight loss and feeling energized throughout the day.
2 MIN. READ
“Keto” refers to ketogenesis, a process in the body that results from significantly reducing the carbohydrates in your diet and increasing your fat intake. The keto diet has been around a long time and has even been used for medical reasons, but athletes, celebrities and others are turning to the regimen as an effective weight loss technique.
How Does It Work?
When you’re on the ketogenic diet, you are in a state similar to fasting – your body is using fat for fuel. Normally your body gets energy from readily available carbohydrates, but on a keto diet, your carb intake is slashed. “When carbs are available, the body will naturally turn to them for energy instead of using dietary fat or stored body fat,” explains Pam Nisevich Bede, RD, MS, a dietitian with Abbott.
However, without regular replenishing of carbohydrates, the body begins to break down fat for energy, resulting in the formation of ketones. Ketones can eventually be used by the body for energy.
The move from carb to fat fueling is marked by an adaptation phase. This phase can come with some lethargy and other symptoms as your body adjusts (we discuss this more later) but you’ll start to notice weight loss as well as more steady energy and less hunger. “This can be a hard shift for someone who’s been fueling with bagels and pasta their entire life, but after three to five weeks, the body adapts,” Bede explains.
The key to keto is knowing what’s in your food. “On a standard diet, most people consume approximately 50-55 percent carbohydrates, 20-25 percent protein and 20-25 percent fat,” says Bede. “With a keto diet, the breakdown is approximately 75 percent fat, 20 percent protein and 5 percent carbohydrates.” For example, a woman who weighs 150 pounds and is moderately active is recommended to eat 25 grams of carbs (think one medium sized apple!), 86 grams of protein (a little over three 3 oz chicken breasts) and 189 grams of fat (hello, avocados and nuts!) per day on the keto diet.
A typical keto diet will consist of foods high in protein and healthy fats, including red meat and poultry, fatty fish, non-starchy vegetables, dark, leafy greens, avocado, coconut oil, keto-style coffee, bone broths and of course plenty of water. When you’re in a pinch, you can grab a ZonePerfect Keto shake in flavors like White ChocolateCoconut or Butter Coffee. to meet your targets to stay fueled and satiated on the go
What to Expect
During the transition to a keto diet, you might experience some minor side effects. Don’t get discouraged — it’s a normal part of the process. Bede explains that new diet adopters might feel symptoms of “keto flu,” including headaches, nausea, fogginess, muscle cramping and fatigue. Make sure you are not too low on electrolytes — sip on broth or take a salt tablet to get needed sodium. If you’re an avid runner or athlete, you might feel a bit drained at first during those workouts, but Bede notes that “Once adapted, gym goers and strength athletes will have no issues cranking through a workout session.”
Remember that this transition might last about three to five weeks, and the benefits can certainly outweigh the immediate side effects. Bede notes that you might notice increased energy throughout the day and some people report a feeling of greater mental clarity or focus. Further, the combination of fat and protein on the keto diet may contribute to increased feelings of satiety.
A keto diet is an option for people looking to lose fat and build muscle, but like any diet, it’s not the best choice for everyone. Pregnant women, serious endurance athletes and people managing Type 1 diabetes as well as other conditions may have trouble with the restrictions of a keto diet. If you are considering starting a keto regimen, research it well, consult with your doctor and have regular blood lipid testing to ensure your cholesterol and other levels stay in healthy ranges.
I really hope it has even a fraction of the impact on your life that it has had on mine because the information you’re about to learn has forever changed my life.
The ketogenic diet is the hottest diet of the last several years, and it only gets more popular as people learn about it. As it turns out, the keto diet isn’t a new fad at all — it’s nearly 100 years old.
While it may not be for everyone, this diet can be the answer many people are seeking, whether to burn fat, a novel source of energy, or even to treat diseases like type 2 diabetes.
Within this detailed guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the keto diet, including how to start and what to eat
What is the keto diet?
A ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carb diet. On it, you’ll replace starchy breads and sugary cereals with avocados, butter, and fatty cuts of meat. Many people use the keto lifestyle to treat health conditions like arthritis, diabetes, and chronic inflammation.
This all works because of a process known as ketosis, which we’ll explain below. Beyond the health benefits we’ve already mentioned, it also provides:
Sustained energy levels
Less cravings and reduction in sugar addiction
Mental clarity
Satiety (feeling full)
Reduced inflammation
Keep scrolling for the detailed science behind these incredible health benefits.
“Food is no longer about weight loss, it’s about my energy levels and mood. It’s about manipulating my macros to optimize the way I feel. Knowing I can do that is really powerful and I like having that control.”
The ketogenic diet has its roots in the 1920s, when it was used to treat refractory epilepsy in children that wasn’t cured by medication. Not only did this diet work exceptionally well in reducing seizures, it unexpectedly brought about rapid weight loss.
Keto isn’t like a standard calories-in, calories-out diet. In fact, you should be able to lose weight while in ketosis without ever counting calories. Weight loss has revolved around counting calories for the last 50+ years and it hasn’t worked very well. Focusing on nutrient dense food, and keeping carbs low will allow you to automatically keep calories in check, without actively restricting.
Calculating Macros
With the keto diet, macros are everything. Put simply, your body needs a specific ratio of macronutrients (carbohydrates, fat, and protein) in order to sustain ketosis.
Carbs should make up less than 5% of your caloric intake. When getting started, less than 20g daily is recommended. A good ratio to go by is 1.5g net carbs per 100 calories.
Net carb intake is what you should track when following a ketogenic diet. This calculation is pretty straightforward: Net Carbs = Total Carbs – Fiber.
For example, one cup of broccoli has 6g of total carbs and 2.4g of fiber. That would mean one cup of broccoli has 3.6g of net carbs. We count net carbs because dietary fiber does not have a significant metabolic effect, meaning it doesn’t spike blood sugar levels.
When removing carbs from the diet, it is easy to replace them with protein, but eating a high protein diet does not promote a state of ketosis. To properly shift your body over to using fat for fuel, protein needs to be kept moderate.
Look to hit your protein target each day without exceeding it by much. Moderate protein is between 0.6 and 1.0 grams of protein per pound of lean body mass.
As an example, if you weigh 250 pounds with 30% body fat that means you have 75 pounds of fat and 175 pounds of lean mass. That means your daily protein should be between 105 grams and 175 grams.
It’s easy to get caught up on the “low-carb” part of the diet and not give enough attention to the “high-fat” part. Fat is what makes you full, gives you energy (when in ketosis), and makes food taste delicious. For most people this figure should be north of 70 percent of daily calories. Keep carbs under 20g, hit your protein goal, and eat fat until you’re full.
At first, you may be overeating calories, but overtime, the keto diet will auto correct that. Your eating patterns and body’s natural hunger signals will auto-correct.
If this feels somewhat overwhelming, don’t worry — there are ways to track your macros as you eat throughout the day. Try an app that will help you keep your ratios clear, and focus on meal planning whenever possible.
Here’s a quick example of your daily macronutrient breakdown on a keto diet when eating about 2000 calories per day:
80 calories / 20 grams of net carbs
320 calories / 80 grams of protein
1200 calories / 133 grams of fat
Again, the total calories you consume isn’t as much of a concern as keeping your macros in check.
Why Ketosis Works
During the first 3-7 days on the ketogenic diet, your body transitions to a state known as ketosis. First, the lack of dietary carbohydrates forces your body to deplete its glycogen stores, which it keeps for energy.
After these stores are emptied, your body adapts to using fat for fuel as the liver produces ketone bodies (“ketones”) for energy to replace glucose.
Ketones are a slower, much more efficient source of energy than glucose. Your body needs to break down fat from your diet and within your body in order to make ketones, unlike glucose, which is created when you consume carbohydrates.
Think of it this way: ketosis literally converts your body into a fat-burning machine. You don’t have to use up all your energy stores before you lose fat, like on a standard high-carb diet.
While producing more ketones does not result in more weight loss, it may result in better energy and feeling more satisfied between meals, which can lead to weight loss.
Ketosis isn’t just for fat burning, though. The way your brain gets energy on a ketogenic diet is one reason it’s so effective for seizures. You see, the brain needs far fewer ketone bodies than it needs glucose molecules. This super efficient energy means that people on a keto diet often eliminate brain fog and are able to think more clearly.
As you’ll see in the section on benefits below, there are few systems of the body that go unaffected by the keto diet.
Is going keto healthy?
The short answer to this question for most people is, “YES!” Keto is a healthy lifestyle change that can combat many chronic diseases. Let’s break down why it’s healthy.
For years, the government has promoted a low fat, high carbohydrate diet, rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. It was believed that dietary fat, especially saturated fats, clog arteries and cause heart disease. Steak was out, and bran muffins were in.
Unfortunately, these dietary guidelines are based on weak data. Since removing most of the fat from the dietary guidelines and replacing it with starch and sugar, society’s health has plummeted and more than half of Americans are classified as overweight or obese.
Although there are many sources that claim keto is an unsustainable, short-term diet only, history doesn’t seem to back that up.
First, consider this: In the past 250+ years, the amount of refined sugar eaten per person in the United States has increased 4000%!
Many modern chronic diseases were rare compared to the rates at which they’re seen today. It seems that the solution of lots of cheap, easy carbs has created far more problems than it ever solved.
According to modern science, there’s actually very little to no necessity for the type of high-carbohydrate diet most people are used to today (between 225-325 grams).
Ketosis mimics fasting, which is one reason behind the claim of keto being good for you in the short-term only. However, the biological benefits of fasting (dietary ketosis) may be much better for you when achieved over a lifetime. In fact, it may literally increase your lifespan!
When calories are drastically restricted or ketosis is achieved, the body’s “cell cleaning” process known as autophagy occurs. This complex biological function results in a more restored, refreshed body, down to the cellular level.
Convinced yet?
10 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Keto
1. Weight Loss
This is the reason most people start a ketogenic diet, and for good reason. Transitioning to a fat-adapted metabolic state will greatly aid in weight loss, as well as make intuitive eating easier.
The keto diet results in more weight loss compared to a low-fat diet, both in healthy individuals and those with conditions like diabetes or heart disease.
One reason for this is that a keto diet has the unique ability to increase satiety (the feeling of fullness) by positively altering hunger hormone levels like ghrelin.
Body fat, especially across the waistline, is one factor in metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms and conditions associated with increased risk for heart disease and diabetes. The keto diet reduces all five of the clustered conditions, including body fat in the midsection.
2. Improved Heart Health
The myth that dietary fat equates to rises in cholesterol is just that: a myth! In fact, the opposite is true. Keto diets have been shown to improve cholesterol levels.
In obese patients, one study found that following the keto diet in the long-term resulted in lower levels of all heart disease risk factors:
LDL cholesterol
Triglycerides
Blood glucose
Blood pressure
The study authors also noted that HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels increased over the course of the diet.
3. Sustained Energy Levels
Once you make the shift to burning fat as your primary fuel source you’ll notice increased, stable energy throughout the day. No more ups and downs in energy levels!
This is mainly due to the fact that going keto means your blood sugar remains stable throughout the day. The highs and “crashes” people typically experience over the course of a day are caused by blood glucose spikes and dips.
4. Reduction in Epileptic Seizures
As the brain changes in ketosis, the electrical impulses that cause seizures seem to calm down and, sometimes, stop altogether.
Multiple clinical trials have found ketosis reduces seizures across the board, with 24% or more patients achieving zero seizures once in ketosis.
5. Aid in Diabetes Treatment
A long-term keto diet improves the outlook for many with diabetes, according to numerous studies. Ketosis combats insulin resistance and allows the body to once again use the insulin it produces properly to sustain healthy blood sugar levels.
For many patients, this diet has even provided the freedom to get off diabetes medications entirely. Not only can it manage blood sugar, but keto may even help reduce A1c levels to within the normal range.
6. Improved PCOS Symptoms
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the leading cause of female infertility in the modern world. It’s characterized by excess body fat, insulin resistance, missed or late periods, acne, male pattern hair growth, and more.
Fortunately, keto might be one answer for women who suffer from this condition. A 2005 clinical trial saw an improvement in insulin sensitivity, testosterone levels, body weight, and hormone levels after 24 weeks on the diet. Two of the 11 women in the pilot study became pregnant, although they hadn’t been able to in the years leading up to the study.
The science behind keto and acne is in early stages, but it seems that some of the autophagic improvements caused by keto may improve the health of the skin and reduce acne.
8. Hope for Brain Disease Treatment
Unlike many of the current treatments for brain-related diseases, keto may be incredibly effective in reversing symptoms.
It’s being studied in conjunction with all of these brain diseases:
The keto diet can help with better mitochondrial function (the energy sources of all living cells), which is one reason it may be helpful in decreasing tumor sizes in various types of cancer.
Most significant might be the way keto transforms brain cancer. A 2007 study found that it’s possible to shrink malignant brain tumors.
Some research also supports the idea of using a keto diet alongside chemotherapy and radiation treatments, known as “adjuvant therapy.”
With hyperbaric oxygen therapy in an animal study, a ketogenic diet was able to increase survival time in metastatic cancer by almost 78%.
Several case studies on keto with certain cancers have shown major benefits from this high-fat diet. Two pediatric oncology patients went on a ketogenic diet with 60% medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) each day. One showed incredible mood improvements as well as a total halt of her cancer throughout the 12 months on the diet.
Another case study, this of a 65-year-old woman with a brain cancer called glioblastoma multiforme reversed her brain tumor entirely after two months on the keto diet. After the strict diet was stopped, the tumor came back about 10 weeks later.
While these results are very intriguing, it’s important never to stop or change your cancer treatment regimen without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
10. Increased Longevity
Like I mentioned earlier, the keto diet may help increase your body’s total lifespan by supporting cellular regeneration through autophagy.
What to Eat & Drink on a Keto Diet
The hardest part of a keto diet plan is getting used to an entirely new way of eating, particularly one that involves cutting out most high-carb foods and adding in tons of fat.
Here are some tips for the best ways to eat on keto.
Eat Plenty of Fat
Add fat to meals for energy, satiety, and flavor. Find fat in meat, eggs, dairy, nuts, seeds, and oils. Not all cooking oils are considered healthy, so check out our Guide to Healthy Cooking Oils to figure out what’s best for you. Here are some of our favorites:
Enjoy Animal Products Like Beef, Poultry, Seafood, and Pork
Animals provide humans with nutrient dense foods that keep us full and give us energy. Look for fatty cuts of meat like salmon and chicken thighs to keep your fat macros high. (Bonus: the omega 3 fatty acids in fish are great for reducing your risk of chronic disease!)
Eggs are another food on keto, since they’re about equal parts protein and fat.
Cheese is also typically an equal protein-to-fat ratio and makes up a lot of calories on some keto diets. Beware, though: Some people struggle with cheese’s impact on digestion while on keto. Stick to unprocessed cheeses only (like mozzarella, cheddar, goat, cream, or bleu) and keep it in moderation.
Find Low-Carb Vegetables
Many vegetables are low-carb, as they’re full of fiber and water. Avoid starchy vegetables like potatoes, beets, or beans, which are higher in carbohydrates. Stick to leafy greens and plants that grow above ground. Here are some ideas to add to your grocery cart:
Avocados
Brussels Sprouts
Tomatoes
Swiss Chard
Spinach
Lettuce
Kale
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Zucchini
Add Some Fruit
Look for fruit that’s low in sugar and high in fiber to keep your carb count low. A banana is about 30 grams of carbs, while a kiwi is only about 10 grams, so choose wisely.
Raspberries – 5 grams
Blackberries – 5 grams
Strawberries – 6 grams
Coconut – 6 grams
Lemon – 6 grams
Lime – 8 grams
Kiwi – 10 grams
Plum – 10 grams
Blueberries – 13 grams
Snack on Low-Carb Nuts and Seeds
Nuts are a great alternative snack to chips and candy when you need something to crunch on. Nuts are calorie-dense and the carbs can add up quickly when eaten in high amounts, so track how many servings you eat.
Pili Nuts – 0 grams
Pecans – 1 gram
Brazil Nuts – 1.5 grams
Macadamia Nuts – 2 grams
Walnuts – 2 grams
Peanuts – 2 grams
Pistachios – 5 grams
Cashews – 8 grams
Other healthy nuts and seeds may include almonds, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, and chia seeds. These are particularly high in fiber, which can be hard to get on keto if you’re not careful.
Low-Carb Beverages
Drinks can be tricky on keto, as there are many that have more carbs than you might initially think. Good beverages on keto include:
Stevia, erythritol, allulose, and monk fruit are typically the keto-friendly sweeteners we recommend on a ketogenic diet. They don’t impact your blood sugar and some, namely stevia and monk fruit, have major benefits for your health.
Looking for inspiration? As it turns out, there are a ton of great keto recipes for drinks you love. Check out our beverage recipes for more.
High protein foods: we typically avoid chicken and turkey on keto, as they’re so high i protein that it’s difficult to manage macros
High carb condiments: some condiments, like mustard and organic mayo, are okay, but most condiments are chock full of sugar
Low-fat foods and drinks: to replace fats, these are often full of processed ingredients and carbohydrates
Sugar-free foods and drinks: proceed with caution and avoid excessive sugar alcohols or unhealthy artificial sweeteners
Inflammatory fats: we avoid fats in things like processed mayo or vegetable oil, as these can increase inflammation within the body
Alcohol: we love our low-carb cocktails like anyone else, but ketosis depletes all of your alcohol tolerance and pauses ketosis until your liver has metabolized the alcohol. Proceed with caution.
Eat the following foods:
Meat
Full-fat dairy
Eggs
Fish
Animal fats like butter. Lard and tallow.
Natural oils like olive and coconut oil
Vegetables that grow above ground like lettuce, spinach, and broccoli
Avoid the following foods:
Sugar and starches, such as…
Potatoes and other root vegetables
Pasta
Bread
High-sugar fruit
If you’re confused on where to start, you can reference our Keto Basics Shopping List or our YouTube channel where we share meal ideas and “Day of Eating” videos. We’ve also got a few examples of keto meal prep and 5-day meal plans to make the first week easier.
We recommend to eat less than 20 grams of net carbs for the first month.
A lot of changes are happening in your body, and you’re going to feel it!
The first 3-7can be pretty rough, but your body is getting over its dependency on sugar. During this time of transition, it is essential that you supplement electrolytes. Your body is flushing out lots of water, and with that goes electrolytes.
The keto flu can be greatly reduced if you add sodium, potassium and magnesium to your diet. Check out our supplements page for a list of electrolyte supplements we recommend.
Ways to combat the keto flu include:
Electrolyte supplements
Eating extra fat and cutting carbs even more drastically for a period of time
Drinking tons of water
Sweating (from working out or using a sauna)
Temporarily taking exogenous ketones
Intermittent fasting (48 hours of full water fasting is equivalent to the level of ketosis from about two weeks of the keto diet. Even intermittent fasting with limited eating windows can help deepen ketosis faster.)
5. Don’t Restrict Calories
When adapting to the keto diet, it may help you adjust by not restricting your calories, even if your only goal is weight loss.
Calorie restriction will be easier, and even happen naturally, when you are fully fat-adapted. You will notice a decrease in cravings and hunger after a few weeks on a ketogenic diet.
6. Keep Protein Intake Moderate
Protein can induce an insulin response in the body if consumed in large amounts.
The most intuitive way to start a keto diet for most people is by removing all of the carbs they have been eating. Typically, people may replace those calories by increasing their lean meat consumption. That’s a recipe for disaster!
Keeping protein moderate is an often overlooked, but very important part of a keto diet. Most people need around 0.6g to 1.0g of protein per pound of lean body mass.
7. Don’t Be Afraid of Fat
It’s tough to overcome the low-fat indoctrination we’ve all gone through, but make an effort to do it! Fat is good and should be consumed in high amounts on this diet. Make the paradigm shift in your mind.
If you’re feeling low energy on a keto diet, the odds are that you are not consuming enough healthy fats.
8. Plan Healthy Swaps
Are you a snacker? If you have foods you’re used to consuming, figure out ahead of time what you can replace them with while you’re still transitioning to keto. Here are a few ideas:
9. Add More Fats to Your Routine
Not sure how to get your macros right? Here are a few ideas for adding more fats to your diet while on keto.
Buy Fattier Cuts of Meat
Simple, right? Switch from chicken breast to thighs, wings, or legs. Go for the 80/20 ground beef instead of the 99% lean. Bacon is your friend… your crispy and delicious friend.
Make Fat Bombs
Fat bombs are delicious morsels of pure fat. They are a great way to easily add fat to meals and make great snacks. We have hundreds of recipes, from No Bake Cookie Dough to Cookies and Cream Fat Bombs.
Don’t like broccoli? Try drenching it in butter or cheese! Seriously, start viewing veggies and sponges for all the delicious fats you’ll be eating on the regular.
There are a few dangers and/or side effects of keto to be aware of before you begin.
Keto Flu: It sucks, but it’s not dangerous. Your brain can’t feed on fatty acids like the rest of your cells, so it likes to tell your body it’s starving when you start keto. The keto flu typically includes headaches, body aches, increased brain fog, intense sugar cravings, and fatigue. Don’t worry, it goes away within the first several days and is totally worth it.
Nutrient Deficiencies: Because the glycogen stores are where your body likes to keep trace minerals, there are some minerals you might lack on keto. These probably include selenium, zinc, and copper. It’s also a good idea to keep a decent amount of salt in your diet as well. You can supplement with these minerals or, preferably, eat plenty of fibrous vegetables high in minerals.
Hormone Issues: Since many people tend to follow a ketogenic diet by eating a ton of animal foods and not many veggies, there’s concern that women who have hormone sensitive conditions shouldn’t do it in the long-term. There’s no research to support this, but if you are a woman, you may want to consider carb cycling or at least keeping good track of your hormone levels.
Constipation: It’s easy to miss out on fiber on keto, so if you notice constipation happening, look for fibrous veggies and seeds to counteract this. Increasing the amount of fat in your diet can also help get things moving.
Keto Breath: Your body will produce ketone bodies in three forms, one being acetone via your breath. This makes for some pretty rank breath. Keto breath typically goes away after a short period of time when your body is fat-adapted.
Temporary Reduction in Physical Performance: You can work out on keto (see the FAQs below for more info), but the initial transition may have you feeling a little less endurance than before. Push through it!
Less Common Side Effects: In a small number of people on keto, this diet can result in:
Gout
Keto rash
Elevated cholesterol levels
Gallstones
Hair loss
If you have any of these conditions, you shouldn’t do the keto diet because it would put too much pressure on malfunctioning systems of your body:
Pancreatitis
Liver failure
Fat metabolism disorders
Genetic carnitine metabolism disorders
Porphyrias
If you suffer from any of the following conditions, make sure to talk with a doctor before starting keto:
Liver disease
Kidney disease
Chronic constipation
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Types of Ketogenic Diets
There are variations on the keto diet that may work better for some people. We find that the first (a standard keto diet) is best for us, but if you struggle after 3-4 weeks on the diet, you may want to try other options.
Standard Keto: 5% carbs, 10-20% protein, 75-85% fat
Modified Keto: 20-30% carbs, 30-40% protein, 30-40% fat (this is unlikely to lead to sustained ketosis)
Carb Cycling: This involves cycling higher-carb days between keto diet days, usually at a 50:50 ratio or a 70:30 ratio, and typically around high-intensity workouts. It’s also called the cyclical ketogenic diet or the targeted ketogenic diet.
Restricted Keto: Used for cancer patients, this keto diet not only restricts carbs but calories, too, usually to 400-800 total calories per day.
High-Protein Keto: Mostly for bodybuilders, this type of keto increases protein closer to 30% of daily calories while cutting down on fat. Be cautious: if you aren’t doing serious weight-lifting, this may cause you to drop out of ketosis.
Vegetarian/Vegan Keto: It’s not impossible, but it’s a challenge. Some people call this a ketotarian diet. We don’t recommend it — animal foods are vital to our style of keto.
Dirty Keto: While we don’t suggest doing this for any long periods of time, “dirty” keto simply involves sticking to the same macros but allowing for inflammatory oils like in fast food. Some people find this makes road trips easier, but we think it’s better to plan ahead and pack healthy snacks and meals.
Lazy Keto: For those who don’t want to track their macros too closely, lazy keto is essentially watching only carb counts and generally eating as much fat as possible without keeping track of it. This can result in less dramatic results and isn’t great when starting out.
Supplements for the Keto Diet
One of the beautiful things about the keto diet is that you don’t have to take supplements to be successful. However, some keto supplements can help make things somewhat more convenient. Here are a few we recommend:
Low-carb whey or vegan protein
Cod liver oil
MCT oil
Magnesium glycinate
Electrolyte supplements
Keto vs. Other Diets
Here are some ways keto shakes out with other diets people follow for weight loss.
Keto vs. Low-Carb Diets
The Atkins diet and other low-carb diets like it miss out on one key part of what makes keto great: fat. Plus, many of them cycle in more carbohydrates after the initial phase of the diet.
A low-carb, non-keto diet will likely help you lose weight, but it probably won’t get you into sustained ketosis. It may also require calorie restriction along with carbohydrate restriction to get similar weight loss results.
Keto vs. Low-Fat Diets
Low-fat diets may help with weight loss in the short term, but their roots come from faulty, misleading science. The low-fat diet craze came about at the same time as the rise of many chronic diseases and doesn’t actually help reduce the risk of heart disease over time.
When compared to a ketogenic diet, the low-fat diet results in much less drastic improvements in both weight and heart disease markers.
Keto vs. Paleo/Primal Diets
Although Paleo, Primal, and similar diets have health benefits to offer, they are different from the keto diet in that they don’t focus on macronutrients and a state of ketosis.
On Paleo, you eliminate all dairy, processed sugar, and grain/starch products from your diet. Starchy vegetables and all fruits are allowed, while dairy is not, making it difficult to achieve ketosis on this type of diet plan.
Keto vs. the Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet is associated with longevity and lowered heart disease risk. While it shares many similarities to the keto diet, such as encouraging the consumption of healthy fats and animal products, it, like Paleo, doesn’t focus on macronutrients. Unprocessed wheat products are allowed, while red meat is discouraged.
Keto and the Mediterranean diet are similar in that they both advise getting rid of added sugar, refined oils like canola oil, and all processed foods.
Keto FAQs
Q: Can I work out on keto?
A: Yes, you absolutely can! Your exercise performance may initially feel a little stilted, but drinking plenty of water and loading up on fats can make a big difference.
A 2012 study followed 8 elite gymnasts while on the keto diet and found that their strength and overall athletic performance was unaffected during the 30 days they were on the diet. Another study, this one in male college athletes published in 2017, discovered that the keto diet helped increase testosterone and increase strength and muscle mass.
Q: Is ketosis the same thing as ketoacidosis?
A: Ketoacidosis is a common myth associated with the keto diet. In ketoacidosis, the body has been unable to produce enough insulin for long enough that the liver produces dangerously high levels of ketone bodies.
For comparison, in dietary ketosis on the keto diet, your body tops out between 7-8 mMol/L of serum (blood) ketones. It’s nearly impossible for most people to sustain that level, which is why most people hover between 1-3 mMol/L on keto. In diabetic ketoacidosis, your serum ketones spike at 16.7 mMol/L, often over 20.
This condition is usually triggered by illness, insulin therapy problems, or untreated type 2 diabetes.
Q: Shouldn’t I avoid saturated fat? Isn’t it bad for my heart?
A: Saturated fat has often been painted as the “bad guy” behind heart disease. While it can be beneficial to limit your saturated fat intake and replace it with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, saturated fats aren’t the enemy.
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