The Ketogenic diet is a popular solution for weight loss. However, reviews of the diet run the gamut; celebrity endorsers swear by its fat-burning benefits, while many health professionals have mixed opinions. Regardless, there are several healthy habits you can pull from the keto diet to apply to your nutrition plan. Let’s discuss the basics of the keto diet and how they can help you to amplify your nutrition.
Ketogenic Diet Basics
The keto diet is low-carb, high-fat. This is designed to force the body to burn fat, rather than carbohydrates, for fuel. After beginning the diet, glycogen stores are emptied and the liver releases ketones into the blood. Your body then enters “ketosis” and fat becomes your primary source of fuel.
The keto diet generally calls for 70-75% of your daily calories to come from fat, 20% from protein, and only 5-10% from carbs. For most, this means a total of 20-30 grams of carbs per day. Healthy high-fat foods like oils, nuts, and eggs become crucial to the body at this point because high-carb foods like pasta, grains, and sugary snacks are removed. Non-starchy vegetables and low-carb proteins like wild-caught fish and grass-fed meat are also staples of the diet.
Healthy Habits to Take From the Keto Diet
Whether or not the keto diet is right for you, there are plenty of healthy principles you can take from it. Here are six keto-related habits that will benefit your health:
Eat more vegetables. The keto diet gets you filled up on non-starchy vegetables, packed with nutrients and low in carbs and calories. Only 1 in 10 adults get the recommended 2-3 cups per day of vegetables.
Eat more vegetables. The keto diet gets you filled up on non-starchy vegetables, packed with nutrients and low in carbs and calories. Only 1 in 10 adults get the recommended 2-3 cups per day of vegetables. Eating more veggies like leafy greens, broccoli, and tomatoes will do the body good.
Cut processed carbs. Refined carbs are stripped of nutrients during processing. The keto diet cuts these by prohibiting processed foods like pastries, sodas, and salty snacks. Trade refined options for whole sources like fruits and vegetables as often as possible.
Eating more veggies like leafy greens, broccoli, and tomatoes will do the body good.
Cut processed carbs. Refined carbs are stripped of nutrients during processing. The keto diet cuts these by prohibiting processed foods like pastries, sodas, and salty snacks. Trade refined options for whole sources like fruits and vegetables as often as possible.
Fill up on fiber. Fiber helps to maintain bowel health, lower cholesterol levels, and prevent unhealthy cravings. Adults in the United States average only 15 grams of fiber per day. This is well below the American Heart Association’s suggested 25-30 grams of daily fiber, so fuel up on more fiber-rich foods like beans, legumes, and vegetables.
Enjoy healthy fats. There’s no need to fear fats that come from healthy sources. Eggs, coconut oil, and avocado are a few nutrient-dense and keto-approved options that battle cravings while stabilizing blood sugar.
Choose your sugar wisely. When following a low-carb diet, sugar is all but eliminated. In general, excess sugar can lead to unwanted weight gain and elevated insulin. However, you shouldn’t scoff at all sugar sources like the Non-GMO sugar found within Liquid I.V. This pure cane sugar is included strictly for function, not taste. In fact, this sugar source is an essential part of Liquid I.V.'s breakthrough delivery system known as Cellular Transport Technology (CTT.) CTT combines an ideal ratio of mined salt, potassium, pure cane sugar and water to deliver hydration and other key nutrients rapidly to your bloodstream - helping you feel better, faster. While many want to eliminate sugar altogether, you shouldn't forget about the many benefits that proper hydration brings to your overall results. These benefits can include an increase in physical performance, the ability to burn more calories, improved mental clarity, reduced signs of aging, and in general, an improvement to your overall wellness.
Hydration is crucial. The low-carb nature of the keto diet leads to increased water loss and decreased retention. With water and electrolytes pouring out of your body, dehydration becomes a concern.
Hydration is crucial. The low-carb nature of the keto diet leads to increased water loss and decreased retention. With water and electrolytes pouring out of your body, dehydration can quickly become a concern. Liquid I.V.'s Hydration Multiplier is an ideal solution for battling dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. One serving of the Hydration Multiplier hydrates you faster and more efficiently than water alone while also providing 3X the electrolytes with 1/2 the amount of sugar and calories of traditional sports drinks.
Liquid I.V. is the perfect solution for battling dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. One serving of the Hydration Multiplier hydrates you faster and more efficiently than water alone, while providing the ideal ratio of electrolytes to combat deficiency.
There are plenty of proven nutrition tips that transcend the latest diet trends and apply to everyone. If the keto diet isn’t right for you, try practicing these healthy habits we just covered to optimize your health.
Hydration is a requirement for your healthy lifestyle. Do you have additional questions about how Liquid I.V. fits into your nutrition plan? Feel free to reach out directly at info@liquid-iv.com.