Those extra pounds of fat in your body can make your weight scale scream high numbers and designate you as "overweight" or "obese". And this problem of being obese not only creates appearance issues but also exposes you to a broad swath of health issues – that can seriously affect your health and longevity. Heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney stones are just to name a few.

Not to worry. Amidst the bad, the good news here is: obesity is controllable. A few lifestyle changes, effective exercise regimens and a balanced diet can easily reverse your weight scale’s upward climb and improve your well-being to a greater extent. Out of all the efforts, dietary changes tend to be an effective weight-control strategy with a good mix of essential proteins, vitamins, fiber, calcium, etc. But the saddest part when it comes to diet plans is many people think it involves sacrificing their favourite foods. However, the massive improvement in the field of medicine has led to the advent of various diet plans that helps you lose weight without annoying your taste buds. Keto diet in this respect has gained special attention with its unique health benefits. Let’s see in detail about it.

What is a Keto diet?

A keto diet or ketogenic diet a type of diet plan that helps people shed their extra body weight by including high-fat, low-carbohydrate, and moderate protein foods in their diet. In figures, the diet demands 70% fats, 25% protein, and 5% carbohydrate. This weight-loss wonder can bring fruitful results even in people who are severely obese.

How does it work?

For our bodies, carbs are the main source of energy. When there are no enough carbs, the body converts fat into ketone - the alternative source of energy for the body. This kind of metabolism in which the body re-sources its energy is called “Ketosis” and hence the name “Keto diet”. So, when an individual follows a keto diet plan for weight loss, carbs are strictly restricted in his/her diet menu. Every single time, it is not possible to count and calculate the calories of the food on the plate. So, for people who cannot keep track of their food intake, the keto diet can be the best option to lose weight. Compared to other diet plans, keto delivers faster results at an unimaginable rate when followed regularly.

What are its benefits?

With a filling diet, on keto, you can reduce every single extra pound safely and naturally. The benefits of the keto diet are not just limited to weight loss alone, but help manage many metabolic, neurological and insulin-related diseases. Keto diet can help manage Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and ward off heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Brain injuries, and even acne. Irrespective of the diet type, diet days are usually filled with episodes of hunger which often demotivates people to quit it. However, with rich fats and low carbs, keto kills hunger and helps people not to get off their tracks. Sometimes, this diet also acts as a safe alternative to surgical weight-loss treatments in people who are not healthy enough to undergo those surgeries.

What to eat on keto?

You can stock up your kitchen cabinets with leafy greens, natural cheeses, olive oil, seafood, chicken, beef, pork, eggs, nuts, and various seeds like chia, pumpkin, and sesame. As discussed, the keto diet highly restricts carb intake. So, your keto diet menu plan should limit foods that are high in carbs. You should clear of foods like root vegetables, tubers, low-fat dairy products, sugary foods or beverages, grains, alcohol, and foods containing trans-fat from your meal plan. It’s never late to start your keto!

With the above information, you may be geared up for your weight loss journey by following the miracle diet, Keto. But planning this diet by yourself may not reap all the benefits of it and sometimes bad planning can invite health problems too. So, it is better to consult your health care provider and get the nod from them before setting on keto for your weight loss journey.

If you are still confused about trying keto, don’t hesitate to ask for assistance. At Fortis Hospital, Bangalore, we are here to help!

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