What Is the Keto Diet and How Does It Work?

“Keto” or the ketogenic diet have been touted as a detox, or a “reset button” for the body and as a quick fix means of weight loss in as little as 21 days. You can lose weight by replacing the body’s typical go-to energy source – carbohydrates with fats. That means if you are on keto, you can start devouring on fatty foods like pork belly, bacon, cheese, eggs and lots of eggs!

If that sounds too good to be true, that is because it just might be! By depleting the body of carbohydrates, which are its primary source of energy, you can force the body into a fat-burning mode, thereby maximising weight loss. That means your body starts to turn into a fat-burning furnace!

When you consume foods that contain carbohydrates, the body converts those carbohydrates into glucose, or blood sugar, which is then stored for energy. This stored fat is the common reason why (sedentary) people start to develop belly fat, obesity and diabetes.

Many celebrities have sworn by keto and it is hardly surprising considering their amazing body transformation. In 2014, Basketball superstar LeBron James followed the keto diet for 67 days to stellar results, namely a seriously ripped midsection and, you know, his third NBA Championship ring.

Question is, how do you start on keto and maintain this diet successfully?

The keto diet is an eating plan that consists of a very low-carb, high-fat diet, i.e. 80% fat, 15% protein and little to no carbohydrates. Staples of the keto diet are fish, meat, eggs, dairy, oils, and green vegetables. Pasta, rice and other grains, potatoes, and fruits are strictly prohibited.

When the body can’t draw energy from carbohydrates – either because they have been cut out of the diet or because a person has not eaten for a long time – it looks for other forms of energy. The keto diet deliberately places the body in a state of ketosis, where fat is released from cells and turned into ketones, the body’s plan B for energy production. Hence over time, you will start burning off stored fat very fast.

Ketosis is a normal physiological process. There’s nothing dangerous about it. It’s just that this unique eating style is keeping your body in that state all the time – a fat-burning state.

In real terms, low carb means anything between 30 and 50 grams of carbs a day. You can binge freely on meat, poultry, and seafood, especially fatty fish like salmon and sardines. Eggs, cheese, butter, cream, and full-fat dairy are also permitted on keto.

What can’t I eat?

Bread, pasta, grains, and starches. Sugar in any form. Beans and legumes. Starchy vegetables like corn, carrots, and peas. Potatoes and other root vegetables. Processed foods in general. And most fruits and most types of alcohol.

What’s the takeaway?

If your goal is to lose weight, AND you are able to stick to the diet, you will probably lose the weight.

To help you to learn to eat (ketogenic) right and stay on the keto diet, Ketomei has a customised 21 Day Ketomei Challenge to provide you with all the right keto-focus meal subscription plans to stay keto and sustain keto in the long run. We also have an online nutrition coaching program by our certified Nutrition and Health expert tailored to your individual health and nutritional needs.

For more information, visit us at www.ketomei.com

About Ketomei: Singapore’s very first and finest keto-focused meal subscription service dedicated to providing high-quality meals to our consumers. We offer meals at an affordable price for healthier, filling, refreshing and satisfying meals for optimum value and to foster a healthy and nourishing keto lifestyle.