• Feel deprived on other diets
• Prefer protein rich fatty foods over carbohydrates
• Have tried other weight loss methods and have had little success
• Want to improve their insulin levels
Our bodies are very adaptable machines. They utilize fuel, in the form of macronutrients, to keep us up and running. When the body runs out of a preferred fuel source, other sources are used and sometimes these other sources can lead to even better performance.
That is the story behind carbohydrates and fats. The body’s preferred fuel source is carbohydrates, but when it is low, fat will arise as the next best candidate. Transitioning the body from utilizing carbohydrates as its main fuel source to fat will change the way food is metabolized and ultimately, how the body stores fat. In this state, the body will become more efficient at burning fat for energy, otherwise known as ketosis. That is the magic behind Keeping Keto.
• Our measurement reference is Net Carbohydrates
• Net Carbs = Total Carbohydrates - Fiber
We know that starting a new diet is challenging so we created a step-by-step list of things to keep in mind as you ease your way into this new way of eating.
If you go over your carbohydrate goal the first day, do not be discouraged (we've all been there). It may take some experimenting but eventually you will find what works for you. On the other hand, if you are not experiencing the results you expect after a period of time, it may be best to switch back to one of the more well-rounded weight loss plans.
Since you’re not eating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains, you could be at risk for micronutrient deficiencies. The best way to combat this is to choose fresh, whole foods as opposed to the processed stuff. Use low calorie vegetables to build the base of your meal with meats, eggs, nuts, cheese and/ or oils as secondary to round the plate out.
When starting Keeping Keto, you may experience a short adjustment period referred to as the “keto flu” where you feel tired, have brain fog, feel irritable, nauseous, have headaches and possibly insomnia. This is totally normal and temporary! It is simply your body adjusting to ketosis. The good news is, you’ll likely only go through this once.
A ketogenic diet can cause you to lose more electrolytes than usual, thus putting you more at risk for dehydration. Make it a habit to drink plenty of water regularly throughout the day to make Keeping Keto more feasible. Aim for at least 8-10 cups a day, but this number may increase depending on the heat, exercise, and medications. Check with your doctor if you aren't sure.
Since Keeping Keto may increase your consumption of saturated fat, you could see a temporary rise in your LDL cholesterol levels. Most people see them level out over time but in order to avoid this completely, It's best to choose foods that are com- posed of healthy, unsaturated fats (i.e. avocados, eggs, nuts/ seeds). Stay away from the saturated and trans varieties.
It’s important to remember that calories have a place in successful weight loss. If your weight is stagnant it may be worth checking how many calories you are consuming. Fat calories can accumulate faster than you expect. Check your calorie intake every once in a while to make sure you aren't eating an exuberant amount of calories that could halt your weight loss progress.
To get the most out of the Keeping Keto plan, it is best to choose foods that are low in carbohydrates and high in fat and protein. You can find a more extensive food list on the following page.
● Low carb veggies are your best friend. Make these the base of your meals. They are healthier and much lower calories than high fat options.
● Prioritize nutrient dense fresh foods over processed foods. Processed foods tend to be lower in your essential vitamins and minerals.
● Make your plate colorful. The more colorful, the wider variety of nutrients you are likely to consume.
● Find low-carb flour alternatives. Some alternatives like almond flour, coconut flour and flax seed meal can be made into a variety of breads, cookies, and even pastas.
● Choose the right fats. Focus on healthy oils like olive or avocado oil, protein dense fish like salmon, and high vitamin fruits like avocado.
Meat: Red meat, steak, ham, sausage, bacon, chicken and turkey
Fatty Fish: salmon, trout, tuna and mackerel
Eggs: Look for pastured or omega-3 whole eggs.
Butter & Creams: Look for grass-fed when possible.
Cheese: Unprocessed cheese (cheddar, goat, cream, blue or mozzarella)
Nuts & Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, etc.
Healthy Oils: Primarily extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil and avocado oil
Avocados: Whole avocados or freshly made guacamole
Low Carb Vegetables: Most green veggies, tomatoes, onions, peppers, etc.
Condiments: Salt, pepper and various healthy herbs and spices
Sugary Foods: Soda, fruit juice, smoothies, cake, ice cream, candy, etc.
Grains and Starches: Wheat-based products, rice, pasta, cereal, couscous, quinoa, bread etc.
Fruit: All fruit, except small portions of berries like strawberries, raspberries and blackberries
Beans & Legumes: Peas, kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas, etc.
Root/Starchy Vegetables: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, corn etc.
Low Fat/Diet / Sugar Free Diet Foods: Most are highly processed and high in carbs These are often high in sugar alcohols, which can affect ketone levels in some cases.
Condiments & Sauces: These often contain excess sugar and unhealthy fats.
Unhealthy Fats: Limit your intake of processed vegetable oils, mayonnaise, etc.
Alcohol: Many alcoholic beverages have a high carb content.
● 1/2 cup spinach
● 1/4 cup mushrooms
● 1/4 cup scallions
● 2 eggs
● 2 tbsp. cheddar cheese
● Salt & Pepper to taste
● 1 tbsp. olive oil
● 1/2 medium avocado
Start your morning with a tasty and filling breakfast. Avocados and eggs are fantastic staples in Keeping Keto. Simply sauté your veggies in the oil, fold it in the omelet, and sprinkle the cheese on top.
● 1 cup lettuce of choice
● 6 oz. grilled chicken breast
● 1/4 cup brussel sprouts
● 2 tbsp. pomegranate seeds
● 1 tbsp. walnuts
● 2 tbsp. Italian vinaigrette
This flavorful salad will give you the energy boost you need. Tossing together low-carb veggies with a protein source such as chicken breast is a great staple meal on Keeping Keto. Just be mindful of your dressing choice!
● 1.5 lbs ground beef
● 1 yellow onion, diced
● 1 green pepper, diced
● 1 jalapeño, minced
● 2 clove garlic, minced
● 1/4 cup tomato paste
● 15 oz. canned tomatoes
● 2 cups beef broth
● 2 tbsp. chili powder
● 1 tsp. cumin
Modify a classic dish to cater it to the Keeping Keto weight loss plan. It's hard to believe that this spin-off only has 6 grams of net carbs!
● 1 medium avocado (sliced in half)
● 2 tbsp. feta cheese
● 2 tbsp. pomegranate seeds
● 2 tbsp. sliced cucumber
● 1 tsp. avocado oil
● 1 tsp. lemon juice
There's a reason why our Keto symbol is an avocado! One of these fatty fruits pack a whole 8 grams of healthy, omega-3 fats in addition to crucial vitamins like vitamin C, E, K and B-6. Spice up this recipe with other, low-carb, filling variations to keep your taste buds happy.
● 1 cup cauliflower
● 1 tbsp. olive oil
● 1 clove garlic
● 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
● 1 tsp. salt
● 1/2 cup cheese cubes (flavor or your choice)
● 1 egg
● Cocoa powder (0 sugar)
● Low carb sweetener of choice
● 1/4 cup whipped cream
Lastly, here are a few key habits that will undoubtedly help you find success in your weight loss journey.
Exercising doesn’t have to be a chore. Find something you enjoy that gets your blood pumping. It’s a great way to let off some steam and release those coveted endorphins. Another plus: in-putting your activity into the app will grant you extra BITES!
We all need a little motivation here and there. Check out the community feature in the Healthi app to get your questions answered, find recipe inspiration, or receive praise on a recent milestone you achieved. We’re all in this together.
It’s important to document your weight loss (or maintenance) journey. After all, that is why Healthi was created in the first place! Make it a habit to input your weight onto the app on a consistent basis and check out the weight trend graph (located on the profile tab) to see exactly how far you’ve come!
When you’ve come to a place in your journey when you’ve been hitting your goals and feel especially accomplished, it’s okay to celebrate! Pat yourself on the back and reward yourself! It’s important to let loose and remember to have fun.
The macronutrients on a typical ketogenic (keto) diet are divided into approximately 70% fat, 5% net carbohydrates and 25% protein, sharply opposing the typical 30% Fat, 50% Carbs, 20% Protein found in a regular diet. This means that on a standard 2,000 calorie diet, your carbohydrate intake could be as low as 25 to 50 grams a day (and even less for those who are trying to lose weight).
Carbohydrates in this diet are in the form of net carbs, as opposed to the more traditional measure of total carbs. Total carbs are exactly what they sound like: the total amount of carbs consumed in one day. Net carbs however, is the total carbs in any given food item, minus its grams of fiber.
These components are subtracted due to the fact that they are not digested in the body. The FDA requires that total carbohydrates be listed on food labels, but they don't require any other carbohydrate subcategories to appear. Therefore, net carbs must be consciously monitored either through manual calculation and/or utilization of the Healthi app in order to successfully maintain this allotted macro- nutrient percentage.
It doesn’t sound very enjoyable (especially if you’re a big carbohydrate fan), but there is a method to the madness. The macronutrient ratio change on a keto diet is used to redefine our primary energy source. Carbohydrates are our body’s preferred source of energy. When carbohydrate intake is low and our body can no longer produce enough glucose internally, ketone bodies will be the new primary source of energy. During this state of ketosis, the stimulus for fat and glucose storage will be dramatically reduced. Additionally, fatty acids in the body are broken down and converted to beta-hydroxy-butyrate and acetone. These are the ketone bodies that are utilized for energy production by the heart, muscle tissue, kidneys, as well as the brain. In simple terms, in ketosis the body will convert from using carbohydrates as energy to using stored fat as energy.
On the Keeping Keto plan, your optimal calorie intake will be calculated based on your age, gender, weight, height, activity level and weight loss goal. From there, your designated fat, carbohydrate, and protein intake will be calculated using the following ratio: 70% Fat, 5% Net Carbs, 25% Protein (PRO members can change this). On the Healthi app, Keeping Keto will use net carbs to track consumption of carbohydrates.
It’s no question that Keeping Keto can be a very effective diet for weight loss. In fact, research has shown that the keto diet is far superior to a low-fat diet. In a study conducted with fifty-three healthy, obese females, those in the low-carbohydrate group lost significantly more weight (16.7 lbs vs. 9.3 lbs) and more body fat (10.6 lbs vs. 4.4 lbs) than those in the low-fat group over the course of 3 months.
In addition, the high intake of fat that is classic to Keeping Keto can make it much more satisfying than regular diets. In a study conducted with seventeen obese men, those on the ketogenic diet had significantly lower hunger than those who were on the high protein, medium carb diet. To top it off, those on the ketogenic diet experienced a significantly higher weight loss (14 lbs) in comparison to those on the medium carb diet (9.6 lbs). The results from this study confirm that the higher satiation factor experienced from a ketogenic diet can make it easier to reach your weight loss goals.
Lastly, Keeping Keto may be able to lower risk factors for disease. Researchers from the Temple University School of Medicine in New Jersey found that the ketogenic diet improved insulin sensitivity by a whopping 75%. Other studies show that the ketogenic diet may have benefits for a wide variety of different health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, Polycystic ovary syndrome, and acne.
Keeping Keto is more serious than the average diet because you’re changing the way your body metabolizes food on a cellular level. If you want to try Keeping Keto and you have existing liver or kidney problems, you'll want to heed caution. The keto diet will place more stress on the liver as they will have to process a higher amount of fat than usual. Additionally, the kidneys will have a higher amount of protein to process. It’s important to have your liver and kidneys checked before starting this diet to make sure they’re healthy and that no underlying health issues exist. We strongly recommend consulting with your physician before starting Keeping Keto.
