How Does The Keto Diet Actually Work?

Written By Paisley Hansen / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Are you looking for an effective way to lose weight with fast results? The keto diet is a very popular choice that can help you lose pounds quickly and with relative ease.

The reason for this rapid initial weight loss is that the keto lifestyle is very different from most other diets. Understanding this type of weight loss program can help you be more successful from the start.

What Is the Keto Diet?

A diet like the keto challenge is essentially a lifestyle that focuses on significantly reducing the number of carbohydrates you consume. While some carbs are important and essential for a healthy body, most people consume far too many. Foods that are high in carbohydrates include:

• Bread
• Pasta
• Chips
• Crackers
• Starchy vegetables, such as potatoes
• Fruits
• Sweetened beverages
• Most desserts, including cakes, cookies, and candy

The body processes most carbohydrates in the same way that it does sugar. Consuming too many of these types of foods leads to weight gain. It also significantly increases your risks for developing cardiovascular issues, diabetes, sleep problems, and other health issues.

Simple carbs can even promote unwanted inflammation in the body, leading to chronic aches and pains.

When following the keto diet, you'll eliminate carbohydrates almost completely from your diet. Instead, you'll consume more protein and healthy fats, along with nutrient-rich vegetables. These help your body feel full and satisfied.

Your body will likely crave carbohydrates at first, but most people find that these cravings gradually go away in a few weeks. As a result, you'll likely experience rapid weight loss, increased energy, and less pain and inflammation.

How Does the Keto Diet Work?

When your body needs energy, it tends to burn off carbs and sugars first. This is why it can be difficult to lose weight, even if you exercise well. When following a keto diet, your body has fewer carbs to use as energy. It starts to burn fat for energy instead, resulting in weight loss. This state, known as ketosis, is what the keto diet is named for.

In order to achieve and maintain ketosis, you will have to strictly eliminate most carbohydrates from your diet, including healthy ones. Consuming whole grains and fresh fruits may not be bad for your body, but because they contain carbs, they can kick your body out of ketosis and inhibit rapid weight loss.

Is the Keto Diet Safe?

Before you begin any type of weight loss or exercise program, you should talk with your doctor. While the keto diet is safe and even recommended for many people, it may not be suitable for others, including those who have to consume a low-fat diet. Certain underlying conditions, such as pre-existing blood sugar issues, may also make the keto diet an unwise choice.

It is important to note that many people who are new to this type of weight loss program often experience what is known as the "keto flu." Ketosis can sometimes produce some temporary unpleasant side effects such as headaches and fatigue. These tend to improve within a week or so.

How Quickly Can You Lose Weight on the Keto Diet?

Every person is different, so there is no way to guarantee exactly how quickly you will lose weight on the keto diet. Your results depend on a variety of factors, including:

• Your starting weight
• Previous dietary habits
• Underlying health conditions
• Exercise habits
• How carefully you follow a ketogenic lifestyle

Some people lose about a pound or two the first week, while others can lose up to 10. Keep in mind that because the weight loss is often quick, gaining it back can happen just as fast. For this reason, it's important to follow the diet strictly to avoid setbacks.

If you currently consume a high amount of processed carbohydrates, the keto diet could help you lose weight at a rapid pace. However, you'll want to follow the steps carefully to achieve and maintain healthy results. Remember to consult with a physician before you begin.

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Written By:

Paisley Hansen is a freelance writer and expert in health, fitness, and growing young. When she isn’t writing she can usually be found reading a good book or hitting the gym. She loves hearing from readers so feel free to contact her through Facebook.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.

Photo by Louis Hansel on Unsplash