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The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet designed to put your body into ketosis – an metabolic state in which fats are broken down into ketones as fuel for fueling processes such as your brain.
People living with diabetes should avoid following the keto diet as it can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis and heart disease. Furthermore, pregnant or trying-to-get pregnant women should also not follow it.
1. It is a restrictive diet
The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet designed to put your body into nutritional ketosis – meaning your body starts burning fat as fuel instead of glucose for energy production.
Diabetes patients may benefit from managing their blood sugar with nutritional therapy and can even experience weight loss as a result.
However, keto diets may not be appropriate for everyone; it can be challenging to adhere to and may have negative repercussions on how we interact with food.
Keto diets increase your risk of ketoacidosis, a potentially life-threatening condition which develops when too much fat is broken down in your body. Therefore, it is crucial that you consult with a healthcare provider prior to beginning such an eating plan.
2. It is a high-fat diet
By choosing to consume a diet rich in saturated fats, which are known to clog arteries and increase your risk of heart disease, when combined with eating high-fat meals.
However, you can still enjoy foods containing healthy unsaturated fats while on a keto diet such as olive oil, avocado, nuts and seeds.
On a low-carb diet, dairy products such as yogurt are welcome additions. Be mindful when selecting flavored varieties as these may add additional sugars into your diet and make adhering to keto more difficult.
At the end of the day, diabetics should avoid following a high-fat and low-carb diet as this could lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels or ketoacidosis. If you have concerns regarding your diabetes or have other health conditions it’s wise to speak with a healthcare provider prior to beginning any new diet regime.
3. It is a low-carb diet
A keto diet is a low-carb eating plan designed to encourage fat metabolism in order to lower blood sugar and increase insulin sensitivity, ultimately leading to decreased blood sugar and improved insulin sensitivity.
However, it should be noted that this diet may not be suitable for everyone.
For those suffering from liver or kidney issues, intermittent fasting may not be an ideal option. Furthermore, this regimen may lead to fatigue and can be hard to sustain for the long haul.
As well, keto diet can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis – more prevalent among people with type 1 than type 2 diabetes – so before embarking on it it is wise to consult both your physician and dietitian prior to trying the keto diet.
4. It is a high-protein diet
One reason a keto diet might not be suitable for diabetics is its high protein intake. Although eating more protein may benefit people with obesity, diabetics should avoid such high-protein diets as they can increase insulin levels and interfere with ketone production.
As part of your keto diet, it is crucial that you consume an appropriate amount of protein through meats, fish, cheeses, nuts and seeds.
Note that your protein consumption will depend on your energy level and appetite. To reduce carb intake, aim to have breakfast within two hours of awakening before snacking on protein-rich foods throughout the day.
5. It is a low-calorie diet
Diabetes occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin to transport glucose – an energy source essential to many bodily processes – around your system. Without enough insulin production, glucose becomes trapped inside cells instead of making its way outward as intended and into circulation for use by body processes.
Eating a low-carb diet may help some individuals with diabetes to manage their blood sugar levels more effectively and decrease medication usage.
When someone with diabetes restricts carbs, their body begins utilizing fat as fuel instead. This metabolic process is called ketosis.
Ketosis can be managed safely when administered correctly, which means consuming adequate protein and healthy fats as well as sufficient fiber and B vitamins.