Keto-adaptation, your first steps towards the Ketogenic Diet

Paloma Quintana 6 min. of reading Diets Leave a comment

The keto-adaptation is a process through which we are going to start introducing the foundations for a Ketogenic Diet

Index

1 Why follow a Ketogenic Diet?
2 Basic Concepts about Keto-Adaptation
3 Before Starting the Keto-adaptation
4 Do not start the Keto-adaptation…
5 Fasting and Ketogenic Diet
6 First Steps towards the Ketogenic Diet
7 One day menu to start the Keto-adaptation
8 Sources
9 Related Entries

Why follow a Ketogenic Diet?

The ketogenic diet is still surrounded by myths, worshipped by those who already known its benefits for health. For instance, it is used to treat some pathologies (1) or to lose some fat for a certain period of time. In fact, it produces some controlled adaptations that can improve the sport performance.

The latter tends to be the ones that causes more confusion

Actually, this diet triggers similar metabolic situations to fasting

Basic Concepts about Keto-Adaptation

It is not a Hyperprotein Diet

Unlike what many people actually think, it is a diet that tends to maintain a proper amount of protein, around 1.2g/kg of weight/day.

Ketoacidosis

Let’s not mix concepts like ketoacidosis or nutritional ketosis:

On the one hand, the first is a pathology that increases the ketone bodies over 10 moles and blood glucose.
On the other hand, the second is a controlled ketosis produced by the diet and workout routine. Above all, the ketone bodies levels are between 0.45 moles and 7 moles, the glucose levels are low. In fact, these are the most interesting points from this type of protocol.

The ketosis is a physiological state that can happen naturally. For instance, when we are born and we drink breast milk which has a high fat and low carb content

Contraindications

Personally, I would not recommend this type of protocol to:

First of all, people with eating disorders.
Individuals with problems with the fat metabolism, such as a carnitine deficiency.
Moreover, patients with a deteriorated hepatic function, with a history of pancreatitis, renal failure and/or bad fast digestion.
Finally, those who suffer diagnosed nutrient deficiencies.

Before Starting the Keto-adaptation

Apart from assessing the previous contraindications, I would suggest doing a complete analysis before starting

Thus, you will be able to see if you could reach the objective with a low carb diet without many issues.

Regarding the analysis, do not be alarmed if you do another one during the diet and some parameters are altered.

Repeat it once again after going back to a diet with more carbohydrates or the one you used to follow.

Do not start the Keto-adaptation…

If you want to lose fat in a rush, go over some of the related points.

If your objective is looking for metabolic flexibility, training your body to use different energy systems efficiently. Analyze the season, approaching competitions and workouts thoroughly. Beware that it will hinder you performance, specially at the beginning.

Fasting and Ketogenic Diet

Quite frequently they have similar effects. In fact, they can create a synergy if we combine them. However, both can produce a lot of stress if your body is not adapted. Therefore, you should decide if it will be good for you to combine both systems or not.

First Steps towards the Ketogenic Diet

Here you have an example with some of the points I like to put in practice when it comes to eating to reach ketosis. This is an example based on evidence but also on my own experience:

Egg for Breakfast

Eating eggs for breakfast has many benefits, specially regarding the satiety (2).

Green leaf veggies will be your allies

Above all, they are nutritionally dense which is interesting for us at this point. In addition, they have a low carbohydrate content and a lto of water and fiber, increasing the satiety.

Fresh spinach, lettuce, lamb’s lettuce, cucumber… you can add them to all the meals if you like. For instance, we make a salad with half an avocado for lunch and another for dinner.

Oily Fish

Due to their fat content, but also due to the benefits from their fat Omega 3. In fact, I would include this type of fish on a daily basis.

Sardines, salmon, tuna, mackerel… you can buy them fresh or canned.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

You can add a little bit more to your recipes, although it is important to follow the recommended amount. In this case, you should use less, otherwise it would hinder the protocol.

For example, an interesting product that we could use is fatty cheese. Above all, it has fatty acids that can help to trigger the ketosis, apart from improving the adherence to the diet