NUTRITION: IS KETO THE NEXT DIETING FAD?
My friend, Saher, had been dieting for a very long time; however, the results were not satisfactory. The pounds just wouldn’t shed and, what’s more, sometimes she felt she had gained a few. Then someone suggested she should start the keto diet. Within four months, she had shed 20 pounds and kept losing more. Within a year, we met a new Saher altogether.
Keto diet is the latest fad. It has reportedly helped many people lose weight, improving their overall outlook towards life. While on keto diet, our body produces most of its energy by burning fats instead of glucose (blood sugar) or carbs. “While on keto, one typically consumes food which is low in carbohydrates, high in fat and has moderate amounts of proteins,” she elaborates.
I didn’t quite understand how this low-carb, high-fat diet precisely works, so I asked Sana Azfar, a well-known nutritionist to explain the process. She started by giving me a comprehensive breakdown of how one’s body produces energy while on keto diet. “When you are on keto, you consume foods (in moderation) which have a high fat content, therefore, your body roughly derives 70 to 80 percent of calories from fats,” she explains. “About 10 to 15 percent of calories are extracted from proteins, while only five to 10 percent of calories are produced from carbohydrates.”
Here’s what you need to know about the high-fat, low-carb diet that everyone’s talking about
This energy breakdown baffled me, because we’re actually consuming more fats, and then we’re burning these fats to reduce weight.
Puzzled, I ask Azfar, “Does this mean one can eat cheese, chicken, beef and ice creams to reduce weight?”
“If you exercise daily and do not eat in excess amounts, then yes,” she answers, with a smile.
Foods you can eat on keto diet