Keto diet has become extremely popular these days. It offers a quick weight-loss technique and this is the main reason why people across the globe are opting for this diet. But while it does deliver on a short-term basis, the question remains – is keto diet sustainable in the long run? This is quite an open-ended question as the diet is a new fad and there isn’t enough research or results to arrive at a conclusion about the long-term uses of a keto diet. However, experts believe that even though the diet is very restrictive and difficult to maintain, it can offer some health benefits in the long run.
What is a keto diet?
Keto diet is a type of diet where you restrict the intake of carbs and increase the intake of fats. The body is gradually programmed to burn fat, instead of the carbs, to get the desired levels of energy. Keto diet almost completely cuts down the intake of carbs and sugars and even natural sugars like those available in fresh fruits and scratchy vegetables are prohibited.
Components of the keto diet
When on a keto diet, you are asked to eat more of:
- Green, leafy vegetables
- Meat
- Poultry
- Seafood
- Fats such as olive oil, coconut oil, butter, ghee, etc
- Eggs
The foods that are strictly excluded include:
- Grains such as wheat, rice, corn, oats, quinoa
- Legumes of all kinds
- Fruits
- Sugar
- Starchy vegetables
- Root vegetables
You are asked to eat more of fatty proteins and balance them out with leafy, green veggies. You are asked to cut out on your rice, bread or other carb intakes.
Health benefits of a keto diet
There are some health benefits that a keto diet brings forth. They are:
- Weight loss – The biggest advantage of the keto diet is the weight loss it offers. At times, people need to shed weight urgently because of health reasons and a keto diet proves to be of immense help at such a time. When done properly, a keto diet can help you to lose many pounds within just a few weeks.
- Controls food cravings – A major problems for many people is food craving. Even those who eat healthily and maintain a good lifestyle, often end up consuming unnecessary calories and carbs simply because of their cravings. It is common to crave a pizza or an ice-cream randomly. But when you strictly follow a keto diet, you can successfully control these things as food cravings are completely wiped out.
- Controls blood sugar levels – Since the carb, starch and sugar intakes are drastically controlled in a keto diet, it helps to lower your blood sugar levels considerably. People who struggle with high blood sugar levels benefit when they follow a keto diet.
- Improves your heart health – With the weight, blood sugar and even blood pressure levels in check, the health of your heart also improves when you follow the keto diet. This is another major health benefit of following this diet.
- Gives more energy – When on a keto diet, your body burns the fat to generate energy. Fat, as we all know, is an excellent fuel. Therefore, you end up with lots and lots of energy. From being able to work out to be able to walk more, you can indeed do a lot when you follow a keto diet.
These are the main health benefits you get when you undertake the keto diet.
Is keto diet sustainable?
Keto diet does come with its share of challenges and this is why people raise questions on its sustainability factor. While it does offer several health benefits, it is a fact that a keto diet is difficult to maintain in the long run. You cannot possibly stop eating fruits and grains for the rest of your life! It can thus be concluded that the keto diet is a good starting point for people who desperately need to lose weight and begin their fitness journey. The initial discipline and excess pound-shedding can safely happen with a keto diet. But you need to graduate to a more sustainable diet for the long run. Speak to your dietician and get a good diet plan ready and you will always feel healthy and happy from within.
