Keto Means
Photo by Annaëlle Quionquion Pexels Logo Photo: Annaëlle Quionquion

What is low-carb vs keto?

A ketogenic diet highly restricts carbohydrate intake, and it's purposely high in fat, explained, while a low-carb diet focuses on moderate protein and moderate fat. Staying on track with a new diet can be challenging. Here are some tips that may help you adhere to a low-carb or keto diet. 1.

Does adding salt to water break a fast?
Does adding salt to water break a fast?

Pure, high quality sea salt does not contain any protein or carbohydrates that will cause an insulin response and therefore will not break a fast....

Read More »
Should cucumbers be stored in the refrigerator?
Should cucumbers be stored in the refrigerator?

Even though cucumbers are prone to chilling injury, the fridge is still the best place to store them. At room temperature, cucumbers will only last...

Read More »

What Is a Low-Carb Diet?

Carbohydrates, proteins and fats are known as macronutrients — they provide calories for the body and are needed in larger amounts than micronutrients, which are primarily vitamins and minerals. Many eating plans, including keto and low-carb, involve emphasizing or restricting certain macronutrients. "Technically, any eating style recommending less than 45% of calories from carbs can be considered low carb," Nisevich Bede began, "but many research studies home in on approximately 10% to 25% of calories coming from carbs." A low-carb eating plan replaces the calories you'd normally get from carbs with protein-rich foods and certain fats. While the exact distribution of calories varies from plan to plan and person to person, an example of a low-carb macronutrient breakdown might include 10% to 25% of calories from carbs, 40% to 50% from protein, and 30% to 40% from fats. The emphasis on protein provides you with energy and supports appetite control and muscle health. "Some of the protein in the diet may be used to make glucose for energy," she explained. "If you're on a lower-calorie plan, watch out for signs of fatigue or muscle soreness."

How Is the Keto Diet Different From Other Low-Carb Diets?

While Nisevich Bede noted that people tend to use the terms interchangeably, the keto diet is very different than traditional low-carb diets in terms of its macronutrient breakdown. It requires you to get 5% to 10% of your calories from carbs, 15% to 30% from protein, and at least 70% to 80% from fat — that's nearly twice as much fat and half as many carbs as what typical low-carb diets recommend. "A ketogenic diet highly restricts carbohydrate intake, and it's purposely high in fat," she explained, "while a low-carb diet focuses on moderate protein and moderate fat." The keto diet outlined here is for the general consumer and is not therapeutic, she continued, with the ultimate goal being to promote ketosis — a natural metabolic process in which the body burns fat for fuel. Ketosis begins once the body's glycogen stores are depleted.

How to Decide Which Eating Style Is Right for You

Can you gain weight on a keto diet?
Can you gain weight on a keto diet?

The keto diet can suppress appetite and make fat loss easier to achieve. However, this isn't always the case. Some people end up not losing weight...

Read More »
What are the disadvantages of eating onions?
What are the disadvantages of eating onions?

Do Onions Have Any Downsides or Side Effects? May aggravate IBS symptoms. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition that affects 10–15% of the...

Read More »

Why do I smell on keto?
Why do I smell on keto?

Because the keto diet often results in increased burning of body fat, the theory goes that the body is “detoxing” all these pollutants, and that's...

Read More »
What to eat with soup that isn't carbs?
What to eat with soup that isn't carbs?

Veggies are one of my favorite low carb sides for soup and typically low in calories. Try our parmesan-crusted zucchini, spinach quesadilla, or...

Read More »
What is meant by dirty keto?
What is meant by dirty keto?

Dirty Keto consists of packaged food such as snack bars, cookies, cold drinks, chips, chocolates, meats, snacks, low carbs flour,Artificial...

Read More »
How do I get rid of my lower belly fat?
How do I get rid of my lower belly fat?

To battle belly fat: Eat a healthy diet. Focus on plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and choose lean sources of...

Read More »