Over recent years, the ketogenic diet (which is often just called “keto”) has become incredibly popular. However, despite its popularity, many people still struggle to understand the actual fundamentals of what keto means, what its benefits are, and why it has proven to be such a reliable choice for hundreds of thousands of people across the world.

If you’re tempted to give keto a try, then there are three things you need to know before you embark on this lifestyle change. So, without further ado, let’s jump right in…

#1 – Keto is not a high-protein diet

On the surface, it’s easy to confuse the keto diet with other forms of low-carbohydrate diets such as Atkins. Keto recipes tend to involve a focus on meat and other protein sources such as eggs and nuts and, as carbs are restricted to just 20g per day, people assume keto is low-carb, high-protein.

It isn’t. Keto is low-carb, high-fat, and only moderate protein. On keto, you should only be eating the protein that you need to sustain muscle health. So while there is plenty of protein in keto eating, it’s not a high protein diet.

#2 – Keto will leave you hungry

The list of foods that people following keto should avoid is long, and likely involves some of your favorite foods. You may wonder what you actually can eat, and will worry that you’ll constantly be hungry due to a lack of options.

Thankfully, keto takes care of this issue for itself. Eating to keto macros means that, after an initial adjustment, your hunger cravings will likely become a thing of the past. The high fat element of keto promotes satiety; as a result, people who eat to keto often find they can skip meals altogether and practice intermittent fasting.

So if you’re worried you’ll be constantly hungry if following keto, don’t be: you should actually feel more satisfied than you ever have before!

#3 – Keto alone will change your body completely

Finally, it’s important to understand arguably the defining reality of keto: it’s not a miracle cure that will transform your body overnight. For one thing, people who find success on keto combine their efforts with a dedicated exercise regime, with weights work being particularly popular. Secondly, even with a dedicated exercise and eating regime, you may still experience issues with some areas of your body.

Keto, like any other way of eating, is not a 100% guarantee of a perfect physique. You may still need to investigate alternative options to fully revolutionize your figure, with newer techniques such as CoolSculpting particularly popular. There’s no harm in learning more about these kinds of treatments as an addition for a great diet and eating plan, but do make sure you do your research on CoolSculpting side effects and benefits before you commit. It’s only through a good diet, plenty of exercise, and lots of research into helpful treatments such as this that your body can be “transformed”– so it’s important not to expect a miracle from keto alone.

In conclusion

Switching to a keto eating plan can be genuinely beneficial for weight loss and health. However, it is a drastic change that should not be entered into lightly. As a result, it’s always best to inform your doctor of your plans beforehand, just to ensure keto is a healthy choice for your specific circumstances.