Are you an avid follower of nutrition trends? Even if you’re not, perhaps you’ve heard about the ketogenic diet.
This diet has gained much attention in recent years due to its ability to help the body enter into a state called “ketosis.” But what is ketosis exactly, and why does it have such a positive impact on your health?
Keep reading to learn more about this intriguing diet and its many benefits.
What Is Ketosis?
Ketosis is a metabolic state in which the body uses fat as its primary energy source instead of carbohydrates. Normally, the body breaks down carbohydrates (found in foods like grains, fruits, and vegetables) into glucose and uses this glucose for energy. When carbohydrates are scarce, the body will start burning fat instead.
If the body has enough glucose in the bloodstream to use as energy, it won’t go into ketosis. But if the body doesn’t have enough glucose, it will begin using fat as fuel and produce ketones in the process. This is what is called “ketosis.”
Signs You’re in Ketosis
Three tell-tale signs indicate you’re in ketosis:
Bad Breath: One of the most common signs of ketosis is bad breath. This is caused by the presence of acetone in the blood and is a common side effect of keto-dieting. Luckily, there’s an easy fix. Simply stock up on some breath mints or breath spray!
Increased Frequency of Urination: Another common side effect of ketosis is increased urination. Excess ketones in the bloodstream cause the kidneys to work overtime to remove them from the body. To reduce the amount of urination you do, it’s recommended that you increase your water intake to stay hydrated.
Reduced Hunger: Many people who are in the process of transitioning to the ketogenic diet experience reduced hunger. This is because the body’s transition from burning carbs to burning fat can take some time.
To speed up this transition, try consuming high-fat, low-carb foods.
Foods for Ketosis
While ketosis is a metabolic state in which the body uses fat as its primary energy source, not all fats are created equal. To transition into ketosis and stay there, you want to consume fats that are high in saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids.
These include the following:
Red Meat: Red meat contains high amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids.
Avocados: Avocados are high in monounsaturated fats.
Coconut Oil: Coconut oil contains medium chain triglycerides, a type of saturated fat easily converted into energy.
Butter: Butter is rich in monounsaturated fat.
Eggs: Eggs are high in monounsaturated fat.
For more info, you can read more here about the difference between being vegan and the ketosis diet.
Ketosis: A Brief Guide
With the answer to “What is ketosis?” answered, you may consider transitioning into ketosis as a quick and efficient way to lose weight and achieve better overall health. While it may seem difficult at first, with the proper diet and exercise plan, you can enter and stay in the state of ketosis with little to no effort.
So what are you waiting for? It’s time to try ketosis for yourself, but first, check out some of the other posts in this section.
