Are you getting ready to start a Keto Diet?
When planning to start a Keto Diet and you are doing a lot of research it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
There is so much information on the internet regarding the Keto Diet, ketones, ketosis, and the history of the ketogenic diet.
So…Much…Information.
Many keto beginners suffer from paralysis-by-analysis; and I don’t blame them.
That’s why I created this rules of keto beginners guide to give you the basic keto rules all in one place.
What Kind of Keto Diet are these beginners rules for?
Here at Advantage Meals, we strongly believe that there is no one right way to Keto. Everyone is different, and what really works for you will be slightly different than what works for me.
If your keto gives you the wellness results you are seeking, your Keto is Keto enough for us.
But..
In our experience, starting a Keto Diet by following these tried-and-true Keto Rules for the First Three Weeks will give you the best foundation to achieve and sustain ketosis.
There will be plenty of time to experiment with your keto way of eating later.
Keto is a lifestyle, and you’ll discover that the way you keto will change over time.
However, if you start a keto diet with these rules, figuring out how to tweak it later will be much easier.
The Keto Diet Rules for Keto Beginners
- Keep carbs under 25 net grams. Low carb intake is the key to ketosis, and all the rest is just details. Look at the label on the food you are considering. Total carbs minus fiber and sugar alcohols equals net carbs. Pay attention to labels and nutrition information, and make sure your net carb intake is less than 25 grams per day.
- Eat plenty of fat. Between 70-80% of your daily calories should come from fat. As you transition into ketosis, you are training your body to use fat as its main fuel source. Depriving your body of glucose (carbs) will get you there, but you will feel much better and transition will be easier if you eat plenty of fat while your body is learning. There will be a time later when you may want to lower your fat intake, but not during this first three weeks. If you are having trouble getting enough fat, look to fat boosters (the easiest way) or fat bombs.
- Eat enough protein. Between 15-25% of your daily calories should come from protein. Too much, and you may not eat enough fat to feel energetic. Too little, and your body will start to cannibalize your muscle tissue for its protein needs.
- Follow the Basic Ketogenic Meal Template. Each meal should include a palm-sized portion of protein, a handful of non-starchy vegetables, and at least a couple of spoonfuls of fat.
- Track your macros. Until you are familiar with how much fat, protein and carbs are in the foods you eat, it is difficult to keep on track without keeping track. First figure out what your macros should be, then track them daily for three weeks. You can use an app like MyFitnessPal and enter the foods you eat each day or you can follow a program that has figured it all for you, like No Cook Keto.
- Drink water. Ketosis is diuretic by nature, which means you are shedding water faster than when eating a high carb diet. You don’t want to add dehydration to the process of transitioning into being ketone adapted!
- Supplement electrolytes. This is extremely important! Add pink sea salt to your meals to make sure you get enough sodium. Use Concentrace Trace Mineral Drops to make sure you get enough magnesium. Eat potassium rich foods, such as avocados and dark, leafy greens. (These also have magnesium, but it is not as easily absorbed.)
- Don’t skip your electrolytes! Yes, it’s on here again. It’s that important. Make sure your supplements are high enough in the electrolytes you need. PowerAde Zero is often suggested, but it is woefully short in magnesium (2 mg), potassium (24 mg) and sodium (100 mg). Once again, use Concentrace Trace Mineral Drops to make sure you get enough magnesium.
- Don’t cheat. There will be a time for experimenting with your macros and going on carb adventures later. During your first three weeks, don’t stray from the plan. Even “just a little” sugar (or fries or pasta or crackers or a soda pop…) will be enough to knock you out of ketosis. If you’ve made it through the keto flu, it could even be enough to put you back into the flu. Your body will adjust and eventually you won’t have to be as strict. For now, stay strong. You can do this!
- No Scales. I know this is going to be hard, but stay off the scales during your first three weeks. Weigh yourself on the first day and on the last, but no more. Your only goal during the first three weeks is to get into ketosis. Stressing over weight fluctuations will only slow down the transition.
Some quick notes about these Keto Beginners Rules
These rules are not a master course for the ketogenic diet, why it works or how it works. Instead, this is a list of rules to follow every day for the first three weeks.
Follow these rules, and you’ll be happily producing ketones and seeing results in short order.
Why Three Weeks? Because almost everyone can make the transition into ketosis within three weeks. Most people can do it much faster if you follow these keto rules. Sticking to the rules for three weeks allows your body to begin to become fat adapted, which is when keto weight loss becomes effortless.
These Keto Rules are short, sweet, to the point. However, they are not negotiable.
Too often, we’ve seen people not take these rules seriously and then not understand why Keto is really hard for them or they have trouble getting into ketosis and staying in ketosis.
Missing any of the ketogenic basics defined in these rules often leads to common mistakes that lead to hardship and failure.
Source : https://www.advantagemeals.com/keto-diet-beginner-guide-keto-rules-for-the-first-three-weeks/