Keto-friendly meals have taken to the plates of people and restaurants across the nation. In fact, keto was the most-searched diet in the U.S. in 2018. Though the fad has piqued the interests of the nation, many don’t properly assess if the diet is a good fit for them. Below are the questions and concerns you need to know about the latest diet trend.

A Guide to the Keto Diet

What Is the Keto Diet?

The ketogenic, or keto, diet is a high-fat, low-carb diet with an emphasis on protein and fat calorie intake. Instead of carb-driven glucose, your body’s fuel supply depends on ketones, or chemicals that your liver develops from fat. Low glucose levels translate to low insulin levels, which spur higher ketone levels to produce energy. This turns your body into a constant fat-burning machine.

What Can You Eat?

Following the diet is important to maintaining ketosis, or the state in which your body is burning fat instead of glucose. Organic beef, poultry, and seafood comprise a large part of keto diets since they contain no carbs, are rich in protein, and include plentiful vitamins and minerals. Low-carb dairy and vegetables pair well with these main protein groups. A keto-friendly meal that you may see on your plate at a restaurant is a fatty cut of New York strip steak and side of full-fat cottage cheese.

The Benefits

Most flock to the keto diet to stave off weight gain and work toward a healthier figure. They experience a reduction in appetite and calorie intake, which makes weight loss maintenance easier through the diet’s fat-burning properties. Keto diets also lead to improvements in risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Elevated triglycerides, or fat molecules in your bloodstream, are driven by carb consumption, which endangers cardiac health. Cutting these carbs through the diet leads to a reduction in blood triglycerides, which also significantly lowers blood sugar and insulin levels to prevent conditions like type 2 diabetes.

The Risks

Maintaining ketosis is difficult in the initial stages. The first experience of a keto diet is followed by flu-like symptoms, such as nausea and headaches. The “keto flu” derives from a combination of dehydration and rapid change in caloric intake, which your body may not respond well to. Eliminating carb-rich food groups, like fruits and whole-grains, can lead to nutritional deficiencies that increase the risk factor for kidney stones. It’s important to talk to your doctor before committing to the major lifestyle change that a keto diet demands and considering safer alternatives for dietary pursuits.

Faithfully following the keto diet can be difficult for some, especially when it comes time to eat out at a restaurant. But staff members at Western Grill Steak House in Andrews, TX, are more than willing to accommodate any dietary needs. Rest assured, they’ll provide you with health-conscious recommendations of their homestyle dishes to ensure a comfortable and satisfactory dining experience. Visit the restaurant online to peruse the menu or call (432) 523-3887 for inquiries and concerns.