15 Things You Need to Know Before Starting the Keto Diet

Is the keto diet safe?

To put it simply, yes and no. The ketogenic diet has been around for 90 years. It was first developed to treat patients with epilepsy, who responded well to the way it mimics a fasting state, while still allowing patients to eat and obtain nutrients. The keto diet is highly restrictive, though, cutting out grains and certain fruits and veggies in addition to sugar—which as a short-term diet solution may have some benefits, but long term may be risky… “The ketogenic diet is not a healthy, nutritionally complete diet,” says Diana Lehner-Gulotta, RDN, CNSC, a ketogenic and neurology dietitian at University of Virginia Health System. “You are completely cutting out large groups of food and eating excessive amounts of fat, which can lead to lipid abnormalities. We also don’t know about the long-term effects of eating such a high-fat diet.” If you’re thinking about following the keto diet for a weight-loss kick start, talk with your doctor first. Here are 13 things doctors want you to know about the keto diet.

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