The allure of bacon, eggs and lashings of butter may sound tempting, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind before getting started. The ketogenic “keto” diet was originally used to manage serious medical conditions, such as epilepsy. Today, it has become a popular diet known for its potential to accelerate weight loss.
How does it work?
Your body uses carbohydrates as its main energy source, so when you eat a very low carbohydrate diet, such as keto, it kicks itself into a state of ‘survival’ mode called ketosis, where your body burns fat and some protein for energy instead.
Your insulin levels decrease and large amounts of fatty acids are released from your body’s fat stores. These fatty acids are then converted into ketones by the liver to provide an alternative fuel for your body.
It typically takes two to four days on the keto diet to reach a state of ketosis.
How do I reach and maintain ketosis?
For ketosis to occur, you’ll need to follow a very low carbohydrate diet with a moderate amount of protein and the majority of your energy coming from fat. Strict consistency is crucial to get the best results so if you’re unsure what this looks like for you, simply start by following the calculation cheat sheet to the right.
Is the keto diet right for me?
The keto diet offers a range of potential benefits if you are dedicated to following it correctly. However, always check with your doctor before starting any new diet. The keto diet is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, those with kidney, liver or gallbladder problems, children or those with Type 1 Diabetes.
For more information grab a copy of our Going Keto cookbook with calculation cheat sheet.
Lemon & garlic lamb kebabs with chunky Greek salad
Berry & coconut chia pudding
Chilli chicken san choy bow
Apricot bliss balls
Pork larb
Cauliflower tortillas with pulled pork
Cauliflower ‘fried rice’
Low-carb lasagne
Baked bean and ricotta-stuffed mushroom
Almond-crumbed chicken schnitzel with fennel & nashi salad
Eggplant bolognese bake
Seed and nut bars
Goan fish curry with low-carb cauliflower rice
Nasi goreng with cauliflower rice
Whole roasted cauliflower with creme fraiche dressing
Vietnamese meatball and lettuce wrap
Healthy kumara and turkey burgers
Roasted sesame edamame beans
Low-carb turkey and kale lasagne
Moroccan fish and chips
Kale pizza with smoked salmon and avocado
Pork fillet salad with miso maple dressing
Prawn and broccoli fried ‘rice’
Green power mini frittatas with spinach and feta
Mixed mushrooms with smoked salmon and poached egg
The green turkey burger
Broccoli ‘pizza’ with zucchini salad
Cauliflower ‘couscous’ with roasted carrot hummus
Asian tofu omelette wrap
Paleo cauliflower fried rice
Prosciutto and feta baked eggs
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