The Beginners Guide to a Keto Diet

The Beginners Guide to a Keto Diet

The keto diet seems to be a phrase on everyone’s lips at the moment. Here at Purition we’re all about the keto diet, what it involves and how it works. This is because we’re eager to provide a product that can be enjoyed by everybody, including those who are following a keto diet. We also want to dispel any myths about the keto diet, as it isn’t as restrictive as some may think.

Let’s take things back a step, though – before you decide that Keto is for you, you’ll probably be asking yourself, what is keto?

Remember, only follow a diet if you know it can work for you and your lifestyle! We’ll go through everything you need to know about the Keto diet right here, so you can work out if it’s something that might work for you.

What is a keto diet?

A keto or ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that uses stored body fat for energy instead. It has many benefits for weight loss, health and performance, as shown in over 50 studies. That’s why it’s recommended by a growing number of doctors.

What is Ketosis?

Done right, the keto diet leads to our body entering the state of ketosis. This is a completely natural function that happens every night while you sleep. Ketosis is a metabolic state in which your body uses fat and ketones rather than glucose (sugar/carbohydrates) as its main fuel source.

Ketosis is a state at which the body has an extremely high fat-burning rate. Even the brain runs on fat, via ketone bodies. These are energy molecules in the blood (like blood sugar) which become fuel for our brains after being converted from fat by the liver.

How Keto Works

• Glucose is stored in your liver and released as needed for energy. However, after carb intake has been extremely low for one to two days following the keto diet, these glucose stores become depleted.

• Your liver can make some glucose from protein you eat via a process known as gluconeogenesis, but it cannot make nearly enough to meet the needs of your brain, which requires a constant fuel supply.
• Ketosis can provide you with an alternative source of energy. Ketones, or ketone bodies, are made by your liver from fat that you eat and body fat. 
• On a low-carb high fat diet (LCHF) glucose and insulin levels decrease (through the lack of sugar and carbohydrates being consumed), so the liver increases production of ketones in order to provide energy, you are then considered to be in nutritional ketosis.

Remember…. 

To encourage ketone production, the amount of insulin in your bloodstream must be low. The lower your insulin, the higher your ketone production. And when you have a well-controlled, sufficiently large amount of ketones in your blood, it’s basically proof that your insulin is very low and therefore, that you’re enjoying the maximum effect of your low-carbohydrate diet. (That’s what’s called optimal ketosis.)

Can keto be effective?

Let’s compare keto to fasting for a moment. Although both fasting and a keto diet will allow you to achieve ketosis, only a keto diet is sustainable over long periods of time. In fact, it appears to be a healthy way to eat that people can potentially follow indefinitely.

A low-carb diet lowers your levels of the fat-storing hormone insulin, allowing your fat deposits to be used for energy production. When your body is using fat from food you consume and your body fat for energy, you tend to want to eat less calories than you expend. This results in losing weight without hunger. 

Is Keto bad?

Keto receives a fair amount of bad press from those who may not be nutritionally informed of all the facts. People may see consuming less carbs as a dangerous thing. 

For example… 

In the western world, it is deemed perfectly normal to consume a beef burger with fries and coke, but if you ask for the beef burger without the bun and salad instead of fries, and water instead of coke, you are suddenly somehow following a dangerous or unhealthy diet. 

However, a ketogenic diet doesn’t mean you miss out on important food with high nutritional value. You are simply replacing high carb foods with little / no nutritional value other than calories, for options that contain lots of healthy fats. 

Back to the hamburger example…. 

On the keto diet, you would turn the high carb meal into a keto meal with less overall calories and more nutrition by having a salad. 

A keto diet can include lots of elements, including: 

• Keto shakes
• Fresh veg
• Low sugar fruit (berries)
• Dark chocolate
• Plain yogurt 
• Meat
• Fish 
• Eggs
• Poultry 

Top Tip: We have plenty of information about how you can enjoy Purition on the keto diet. You can discover more here.  

Is Keto worth it?

You can guarantee noticeable results quickly with Keto, but only if you stick with it. 

The good news is that proponents of the diet claim:

• Increased energy levels
• Improved mental alertness
• Generally less ailments 

So, sticking with it has some serious upside. You can say goodbye to hunger on a keto diet because the body has access to lots of energy (body fat). You will be less hungry, which is why many on the keto diet also incorporate fasting. Getting up in the morning for a carb fix is something the body does not do anymore, meaning, you can wake up and go without breakfast without worrying about the next carb fix. 

Remember…

Returning to eating as you did before, like with any other dietary change, will see weight gain return. 

If you have steadily been gaining weight for years, any temporary change you make is only ever going to have temporary results. If you return to eating the same way as before, the results (gradual weight gain) will still be the same. 

A brief history of the keto diet

The first understanding of the keto diet came from William Banting, a notable English undertaker (December 1796 – 16 March 1878). Formerly obese, he is also known for being the first to popularize a weight loss diet based on limiting the intake of carbohydrates, especially those of a starchy or sugary nature.

Is Keto effective for other health concerns?

There have been reports made that the keto diet has eased diabetes symptoms and may improve blood glucose levels while reducing the need for insulin. 

Similarly, some have reported that the keto diet has aided symptoms of arthritis, with reduced joint pain. However, there have been limited scientific studies into this, so it is always worth consulting with a medical professional if you are unsure about the keto diet working for you.

Regarding the keto diet relieving symptoms of IBS, there has similarly been limited study on this, however, a small amount of research conducted found that the keto diet provided some relief of symptoms of IBS. You can find out more about this specific study here. 

Who should NOT do a ketogenic diet?

For most people, the ketogenic appears to be very safe, although there are plenty of myths which suggest otherwise. 

However there are three groups of people who will require special consideration before following the keto diet:

• Those who take medication for diabetes
• Those who take medication for high blood pressure
• Those who are breastfeeding 

Despite the many proven benefits of the ketogenic diet, it still is seen as controversial to some. The potential danger does regard certain medications, including those listed above. You should discuss changes in medication and lifestyle changes with your doctor if you are in any way concerned. They can advise you on the best way forward. 

Foods with high fat 

You’ll be pleased to know that there are plenty of great options for your diet that include high levels of healthy fats that help you with your keto diet. These include:

• Eggs
• Avocado
• Leafy green and colorful vegetables grown above ground (non-starchy) 
• Oily fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, etc) 
• Cheese
• Good quality meat and poultry 
• Full fat yogurt
• Whole milk
• Butter
• Chicken with the skin on 
• Pork 
• Seeds & Nuts (as found in abundance in Purition)

Purition and the Keto diet 

Purition is a great resource for healthy fats, as well as being a high protein, low carb food choice. That’s why we think Purition is the perfect accompaniment to your keto diet, as it can be enjoyed alongside healthy food for a balanced approach to the keto lifestyle.

How Purition Works

Unlike meal replacement shakes that are full of flavorings and junk food, Purition is made of real food. With a high protein serving in every portion, our products are made of whole grains, seeds, nuts, and that’s it. We believe in making delicious products using the freshest ingredients. We know there’s a big difference between flavor and flavorings, and that’s what makes us different. 

In a nutshell… 

• Low in carbohydrates, with less than 4g per serving
• Low in sugar, with less than 1g per serving
• Compatible with a keto diet
• Just the right amount of protein, 16g
• Fiber to aid and slow digestion, 8g
• Wholefood fats, not powdered seed oils
• Easy to prepare
• No synthetic ingredients

Can you drink alcohol on Keto?

Regular drinking is a high contributor to weight gain over time as most alcoholic drinks are high in sugar and carbs, especially beer. It might be best to steer clear of alcohol to see the best results from your keto diet. However, your diet is what you make of it! If the keto diet and low alcohol consumption fits into your lifestyle, then great.

Can you drink milk on Keto?

Reports suggest that dairy milk isn’t the best addition to a keto diet as milk contains lactose, which contains carbohydrates. Some recommend that unsweetened almond milk and coconut are good choices. 

Top Tip: To bring out the best flavour in Purition products, why not go for unsweetened almond or coconut milk? 

It’s good to get clued up on any diet before you give it a go. For more about the keto diet, check out this article. The keto diet doesn’t need to be restrictive. See how Purition can be a great addition to your keto diet and get started today.