The 'Ketogenic Diet', also known as the Keto diet is a popular weight loss routine followed across the world, and is currently in vogue. Put simply, it's a low-carb and high-fat diet, where the body begins to burn fat as fuel, instead of glucose. In addition to being more efficient when it comes to toning down than other calorie-restricted diets, Keto is also known to have other health benefits.
Before embarking on a Keto diet, here are six important tips suggested by Devansh Jain Nawal, Co-Founder - The Healthy Company, to boost your ketones and get into ketosis.
"Although a Keto diet is definitely known to give a lot of health benefits in addition to just reducing your weight, one must also understand that it isn't something that should be over a long stretch, and must be undertaken as per the specific demands of each body. Not every diet is made for every individual. An easy way to boost ketosis is by using specific Keto-boosting products in the market like The Healthy Company's Keto Green Tea. To follow a Ketogenic diet properly, always do it under the supervision of a trained nutritionist, who can time your meals accordingly and reduce your keto flu symptoms as much as possible," he suggests.
Stay hydrated
The first and foremost thing to remember is to have enough water throughout the day. Carbohydrates act as storage facilitators for water and sodium in the body. Since carbs consumed are in limited quantities, your body water stores go down, possibly leaving you dehydrated! So drink up! If you're someone who tends to forget, try using water consumption apps that remind you to drink water in designated minutes.
Start slow
One might think that jumping right into Keto, post following a normal routine would be the right thing to do, however, that's simply not the case. Take the time to slowly introduce high fat foods in your routine and to slowly reduce on the carbs in your diet. This would help you in the possible reduction of constipation, diarrhoea, poor energy levels and other keto flu symptoms.
Remain active
While on a Keto Diet, do not assume that it's best to simply give up on exercise. It would still remain an important part of maintaining your health. However, what you could easily do is, to include low intensity exercises such as walking, light jogging or even gentle yoga for about 30-45 minutes daily. The idea is to maintain a steady state of physical activity and avoid workouts that demand a sudden burst of energy.
Cut down on starch and sugar
The main idea behind a keto diet is to cut on carbs. Starch and sugar are rich in carbs and need to be avoided. Ensure to cut back on foods such as cakes, sugar, candies, fruit juices, rice, wheat, pasta, veggies such as potatoes, yam and sweet potato and alcoholic drinks, slowly but progressively.
Indulge in fibre and protein
While keto diet does dictate a diet high in fat, you still need to include a moderate amount of protein. Foods such as nuts and all types of seeds, and nut butter. An addition of cinnamon, pepper, ginger to meals can also help induce ketosis. Low carb veggies such as tomato, zucchini, green leafy vegetables, bell peppers, cabbage give good fibre and fill one up as well. Non-vegetarians can include red meat, chicken, whole eggs and fatty fish like mackerel and tuna which provide a lot of protein and fibre to the body and compensate for the carbs reduction too.
Increase salt intake
A ketogenic diet involves a paradigm shift from an intensive carb-based diet to a fat-based one. This shift unbalances the electrolyte balance in the body. So, if one mineral is affected, the other one is affected on its own. Since the consumption of processed foods goes down, sodium intake goes down considerably, one might end up feeling restless, have considerable fatigue and other symptoms of keto flu. To avoid this, simply increase the amount of salt you add to your food.