"The groundwork of all happiness is health." - Leigh Hunt

What is the difference between popular low-carb diets?

Question
If someone desires to try a really low carb weight loss plan, what’s the difference between a carnivore weight loss plan, a keto weight loss plan, and a paleo weight loss plan?

Oh While all three diets are low in carbohydrates, there are significant differences between each of them.

The ketogenic (keto) weight loss plan. A “true” keto weight loss plan doesn’t provide enough calories from glucose and other types of sugar and causes the body to burn fat for energy. When fat is broken down, ketones are released into the bloodstream by fat cells. An increase in blood ketones lowers the conventional acid balance within the blood in order that it becomes more acidic, a condition called ketosis. In a typical keto weight loss plan plan, about 70% to 75% of each day calories come from fat, 20% from protein, and not more than 10% from carbohydrates. Food and beverage selections may vary to offer this calorie mix.

Carnivorous weight loss plan. A carnivore weight loss plan is probably the most ketogenic since it is amazingly low in carbohydrates, which is why it is typically called a “zero-carb” weight loss plan. You only eat meat, poultry, eggs, fish and milk. The long list of foods not allowed includes all vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, seeds and nuts.

The paleo weight loss plan. The paleo approach focuses on the unprocessed, truly natural foods that humans ate through hunting and gathering in the course of the Paleolithic period, which ended about 10,000 years ago. Food selections can come from meat, fish, poultry, eggs, vegetables, fruits and nuts. Any refined or artificial products (including healthy oils reminiscent of olive oil), dairy, grains, beans, and potatoes are excluded because they appeared after the agricultural revolution that followed the Paleolithic era. A paleo weight loss plan could be ketogenic if easy carbohydrates are sufficiently restricted. Still, you’ll be able to go paleo and never be in ketosis by eating an excessive amount of fruit, especially berries.

So, which of those three methods, if any, might you concentrate on trying? The pros and cons of the keto weight loss plan depend upon your goal. If you desire to start a weight reduction program, the keto weight loss plan can provide help to lose five to 10 kilos or more. The downside, even short-term, is a possible increase in LDL (bad) cholesterol. Personally, I even have concerns about staying in ketosis longer than 4 to 6 weeks. Long-term use of the keto weight loss plan is related to an increased risk of kidney stones, osteoporosis, and gout.

With the Paleo weight loss plan, you could have the flexibleness to go out and in of ketosis. However, because grains will not be allowed, you have to to seek out ways to extend your fiber intake. And you can be missing out on some essential micronutrients.

Finally, given the overwhelming evidence supporting the advantages of a plant-based weight loss plan, I might never recommend a carnivore weight loss plan.


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