Keto diet is an extremely restrictive diet and may not be fit for everyone
The keto diet has emerged as one of the most popular and widely practiced diet regimes to help us lose weight. The main focus of the diet is to consume protein and fat-rich foods and avoid consuming carbs. Like many other diets, the ketogenic diet may be considered a more restricted kind of diet.
If you consume less than 50 grams of carbohydrates each day, your body eventually runs out of quick-acting fuel (blood sugar). Usually, this takes three to four days. After that, you'll begin converting protein and fat into energy, which may cause you to lose weight. This process refers to ketosis.
However, studies have proven that the keto diet is only a temporary fix to losing weight and must not be practiced as a way of life. The ketogenic diet must not be equated to a well-balanced diet. This restrictive diet may also not be fit for everyone due to its conforming to diet ideals. In this article, we list conditions under which the keto diet may not be fit for you.
Reasons the keto diet is just not for you:
1. The diet affects your relationship with food
The first step toward successful dieting is a healthy relationship with food. If you don't enjoy the food you are consuming it may not be able to benefit you properly.
2. You are eating too many cheat meals
Cheat meals during restrictive diets is okay. However, too many cheat meals can significantly lower the effectiveness of the diet. Too many cheat meals may also be a sign you are not fit for such a restrictive diet.
3. You feel sick
Although certain symptoms are normal to the keto diet. Continuation of symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, lethargy, etc. might mean the keto diet is not for you.
4. Irregularity is periods
The keto diet may cause irregularity in our menstrual cycles. This irregularity may even result in missed periods both of which are extremely bad for our bodies.
5. You are not losing enough weight
The keto diet is mentally straining and may cause various physical issues. A combination of both may not be the right thing for you if you are also not experiencing significant weight loss.
Besides these reasons, there are various health conditions under which the keto diet may not be as beneficial as one may think. Here is a list of conditions under which the keto diet may not be recommended:
- Pregnant women must not opt for a keto diet as it might deprive them of the nutrients they require for a healthy pregnancy
- People with eating disorders must completely avoid restrictive diets as they can further worsen their health.
- People that have hypothyroidism must not follow the keto diet as it may affect their hormone levels adversely.
- Athletes must also avoid this diet as they often perform better with glucose consumption which is received through a carb-rich diet.
- Children and teens must not follow a keto diet as it might deprive them of various nutrients that help in the development of their bodies and minds.
- People with sensitive and chronic digestive system issues must avoid such restrictive diets.
In conclusion, our food is our fuel. It is important to understand our bodies' needs even if you wish to lose weight and want to go on a diet. It is ideal to look for early signs that the keto diet is not fit for you. Besides the conditions listed above, it is always beneficial to talk to a doctor or health professional before opting for any restrictive diet.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
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FAQs
You're often low on energy and feel nauseous. Your doctor isn't happy with your latest blood work results either, as the keto diet can increase cholesterol and lipid levels. You and keto just might not be a match.
How do you know if keto is not for you? ›
You Simply Don't Feel Healthy on the Ketogenic Diet
You should start to feel better after a couple of weeks, but if you still feel awful, you may not be properly fueling your body. Because the keto diet is low in fiber, you could also experience frequent constipation.
Who is not a candidate for a keto diet? ›
TABLE 2
| Main contraindications | Main arguments in support of contraindications |
|---|
| Recent stroke or myocardial infarction | Increased risk of arrhythmia |
| Heart failure | Increased risk of arrhythmia, hydroelectrolitic alterations |
| Respiratory failure | Acidosis |
| Active/severe infections | Immunosuppression |
11 more rowsJul 10, 2020
Eating too many carbs
Not entering a state of ketosis and failing to lose weight are common signs you're doing keto wrong. Carbs fill up your glycogen stores, which means you'll have to burn through them to produce ketones.
Who is not suitable for a keto diet? ›
The keto diet could cause low blood pressure, kidney stones, constipation, nutrient deficiencies and an increased risk of heart disease. Strict diets like keto could also cause social isolation or disordered eating. Keto is not safe for those with any conditions involving their pancreas, liver, thyroid or gallbladder.
When should I quit my keto diet? ›
While some people have success staying on keto for an extended period of time, “the long-term research is limited,” says Jill Gulotta, RDN, who's based in White Plains, New York. Gulotta recommends staying on keto for six months max before reintroducing more carbs to your diet.
What are big mistakes on keto? ›
Not watching your carb intake - Sugar and refined carbs are in many foods. You should be aiming to eliminate these from your keto diet. “Try to keep your net carb content under 20 grams/day or total carbs under 30 grams,” Dr Riggs says. Keep close track of your sugar and carb intake by reading nutrition labels.
What foods can I eat unlimited on keto? ›
Foods you can eat on the keto diet include fish and seafood, meat and poultry, non-starchy vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and zucchini, avocados, berries, nuts and seeds, eggs, high-fat dairy products, olive oil and other oils, and high-cocoa chocolate.
What is ketosis smell? ›
Some describe keto breath as having a metallic taste in their mouth and a smell that's sweet, fruity or similar to nail polish remover. This is caused by the chemicals your body creates during ketosis, which are released from the body by exhaling.
Why do I feel so bad on keto? ›
Another name for the keto flu is keto induction, as these symptoms tend to occur when people start the diet. The symptoms develop when the body enters a state of ketosis, during which it burns fat for energy. People can manage or prevent the keto flu by: altering the types of fats that they eat.
10 Foods You Can't Eat on the Keto Diet & Their Substitutes
- Grains and Starches. ...
- Sugary Foods and Sweets. ...
- High-Carb Fruits. ...
- Starchy Vegetables. ...
- Legumes and Beans. ...
- Processed Foods with Hidden Carbs. ...
- Alcohol and co*cktails. ...
- High-Carb Sauces and Condiments.
Medications used for seizures and glaucoma (Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors) interacts with KETOGENIC DIET. Some medications used for seizures and glaucoma can increase the risk of kidney stones. The ketogenic diet might also increase the risk of kidney stones.
Is it possible that keto doesn't work for me? ›
Studies have shown the keto diet can actually worsen insulin metabolism and increase insulin resistance. If your insulin levels are lower, or if your body is resistant to insulin and already struggles to balance glucose intake, then it is not going to respond to the keto diet from a weight loss perspective.
How do you know if you're out of keto? ›
You can monitor whether you've been kicked out of ketosis by paying attention to signs such as changes in energy levels, appetite, and cravings. Additionally, you may notice changes in urine odor or breath that indicate ketone levels.
How do you know if it's keto friendly? ›
You will know that the food in question is keto-friendly for you if:
- It helps you stay within your carb limit.
- It helps you meet your fat and protein needs or you can meet your macros with that food in your diet.
- It improves your health and well-being.
You can use tools that measure your body's ketone levels, such as ketone breath meters, blood ketone meters, and keto urine strips — which tend to be the cheapest and easiest method. If you've cheated on keto, you'll need to strictly adhere to the diet to reenter ketosis.
