Search Weight Loss Topics:




Jul 7

What Healthy Eating Looks Like to Me, a Dietitian Who Eats Keto – Healthline

Diets that Work Comments Off on What Healthy Eating Looks Like to Me, a Dietitian Who Eats Keto – Healthline

My decision to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) stemmed from a lifelong struggle with my weight.

Weighing over 10 pounds (4.5 kg) when I was born placing me in the 99th percentile Im not exaggerating when I say lifelong.

The ketogenic, or keto, diet is a low carb, high fat eating pattern that involves limiting your carb intake to 2550 grams per day or fewer to achieve ketosis a metabolic state in which your body burns fat instead of carbs for its primary source of fuel (1).

Its also the first diet that has allowed me to successfully lose and maintain my weight while keeping me feeling full and satisfied.

In fact, I hesitate to use the word diet, as I think of keto more as a lifestyle than a temporary or trendy way of eating.

Sure, there are times when I eat more carbs for instance, during my recent pregnancy and now while Im breastfeeding and Im certainly not militant about my intake.

However, keto is the baseline that I continually return to because it makes me feel my best.

While the keto diet has been used for many years in the management of childhood epilepsy, were just starting to understand how the diet may be beneficial for blood sugar management and weight loss (1).

This article explains why I find the keto diet to be the best and most effective option for my weight loss journey and provides a glimpse into what I typically eat in a day.

The first time I tried keto was just an experiment to see if it lived up to the hype.

At that point in my life, I was heavier than I wanted to be and felt shame and cognitive dissonance around being an overweight dietitian.

I had also tried so many approaches to lose weight or at least not gain weight without success. As a result, I thought I was just a weak-willed person, despite the discipline I had in other areas of my life.

However, I now understand that my struggles with hunger and food cravings had nothing to do with a personality deficiency. Rather, they were the result of choosing foods that were negatively affecting my gut health, blood sugar, and hormone levels (2, 3).

When I tried keto in 2019, I lost 30 pounds (14 kg) in 4 months, and it was surprisingly easy since I wasnt constantly preoccupied thinking about my next meal. Instead, I finally felt satisfied, both physically and mentally.

Whats more, I noticed improvements in other areas of my health.

For example, a fellow RDN gushed to me about how amazing my skin looked something Id never been complimented on before.

My occasional episodes of mild heartburn also vanished, and I felt consistently energized, motivated, and productive throughout the day.

Then came 2020.

As for many of us, 2020 was a difficult year.

I was not only dealing with the stress of navigating pandemic life but also pregnant, working a healthcare job during the day, writing at night, taking care of my family, and frequently preoccupied with the political and social unrest in the United States.

Feeling totally overwhelmed, I found myself turning to food for comfort, with many nights spent stress eating.

While 2020 showed me that still have some work to do on my relationship with food, it also highlighted just how much my quality of life had previously been improving on the keto diet.

I know that keto isnt the right approach for everyone. However, I cant deny that following a low carb, high fat diet freed me from my food hang-ups for the first time in my life.

Research suggests that there are four main reasons why the keto diet appears to be effective for weight loss, including:

Still, keep in mind that research on the keto diet for purposes other than epilepsy only began in earnest within the past decade.

As a result, more studies are needed on the long-term effects of keto in the general population.

Additionally, while keto may have benefits for weight loss and blood sugar management, its important to talk with a trusted healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, especially if you have diabetes or are taking prescription medications.

Curious what the keto diet looks like to me?

Heres what I eat on a normal day:

Another thing I like about keto is that its easy to find options when dining out. Depending on the restaurant, Ill usually order a salad, bunless burger, or steak and veggies.

While keto often gets a bad reputation for being all butter, bacon, and cheese, Ive found that I eat more fresh produce now than I ever have in my life.

I know how hard it is to constantly feel hungry while trying to lose weight, which is why I feel so fortunate to have found a diet that works for me.

In fact, I can honestly say that keto has changed my life and reignited my passion for nutrition and health.

While there are many ways to live a healthy lifestyle, the keto diet is worth considering if youre struggling to find a diet that satisfies you.

Just make sure to talk with a trusted healthcare provider first, particularly if you have a preexisting medical condition or are taking prescription medications.

Read more:
What Healthy Eating Looks Like to Me, a Dietitian Who Eats Keto - Healthline

Related Posts

    Your Full Name

    Your Email

    Your Phone Number

    Select your age (30+ only)

    Select Your US State

    Program Choice

    Confirm over 30 years old

    Yes

    Confirm that you resident in USA

    Yes

    This is a Serious Inquiry

    Yes

    Message:



    matomo tracker