Ketogenic diet

A ketogenic or keto diet sharply restricts carbohydrates and gets much of its energy from fat, aiming for the body to produce and use ketones as fuel. Bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and many fruits are tightly limited. People try it for weight goals; specialist-prescribed ketogenic diets are also used for certain forms of epilepsy.

Medical ketogenic treatment involves monitoring and adjustments, not copying an online menu. Being in ketosis does not establish that your diet is adequate or that you are losing body fat. Nutritional ketosis is different from ketoacidosis, which is a medical emergency and a particular concern with diabetes.

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Ingredients, portions and previously effortless meals need closer attention. Eating out and sharing food can become complicated. Making room for vegetables and other nutrient sources within the restrictions takes more planning than adding butter and removing bread.

Speak with your team first if you take diabetes medication: low blood sugar can occur, and SGLT2 medicines increase ketoacidosis risk with this diet. Do not adjust medication yourself. Kidney disease, pregnancy, breastfeeding or an eating-disorder history also require professional assessment before considering such restriction.

Limited menus, social meals, constipation and tiredness can make people stop. Keeping track of so much may become tedious, particularly without the hoped-for change. You may simply want fruit, beans or bread again without calculating every serving.

Calling symptoms keto flu does not mean you should endure them. Vomiting, abdominal pain, rapid breathing or confusion need urgent medical attention, especially with diabetes. If the diet is prescribed for epilepsy, speak with your team before stopping: changes to that treatment need planning too.