Oh man, this is going to be a good one.
For the people not aware, the keto diet means you are putting your body into a state of ketosis. This is accomplished by eating fewer than 50g of Carbs or NET 30g of Carbs in one day. When this occurs, the body stops using glycogen (glucose) to produce energy and instead produces and burns ketones.
Proponents have gone as far as to say it can reverse diabetes and how it’s the newest nutrition plan for weight loss.
So does it work?
To begin, I do want to say that anyone doing High-Intensity workouts, ex:, CrossFit, Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, or HIIT. While we perform these types of workouts, we push our muscles to the breaking point. Our muscles work off of glycogen; so no glycogen, no power production for fast, explosive movements.
For everyone else: It CAN work, but I still don’t recommend it.
To begin, let’s talk about how much 50 g of carbs is. It’s an apple. An APPLE. In one day; that’s it.
Here’s the thing: Most of everything you eat on a daily basis contains carbs. Even milk contains carbs. Pasta? Don’t even look at it. Pizza? Only when you dream, Lol. Bread? Nope! Fruit??? Ha–don’t make me laugh. Eating only 50g of Carbs in a day is super restrictive.
The Ketones also have an interesting effect: They will change the pH level of your blood, making it acidic. Ever heard of “keto breath”? The high pH levels can create an almost coppery taste in your mouth which will produce an unpleasant smell that most people want to get close to. The high pH levels can also leach calcium from your system. This can and will cause brittle bones and weakened muscles. Don’t even get me started on the keto flu, it’s real and really bad. How bad? Think the Walking Dead.
But here’s what I warn against the most: You can’t go in and out of keto. Cheat days don’t exist.
When your body no longer utilizes glucose, your pancreas stops producing insulin. Now you have a massive influx of glucose into your system, and you know what happens? Your pancreas freaks out and produces a TON of insulin to bring your blood-sugar levels back to normal. Do this enough times and you’ll fry your pancreas—and that leads to diabetes.
Once your body no longer utilizes glucose, your pancreas stops producing insulin. Now you have a massive influx of glucose into your system, and guess what happens? Your pancreas freaks out and produces a TON of insulin to bring your blood-sugar levels back to normal. Do this enough times and you’ll fry your pancreas–and that leads to diabetes.
Keto doesn’t jive with athletes, it’s not sustainable and it’s potentially dangerous. I do not recommend the keto diet for most people.
Want to learn more? Schedule a No-Sweat Intro!
Inspiration provided by Andrew Boimila at CrossFitTradewinds.com.