Is it just me or does it seem like there is a new dietary trend being tried every day? So, are we eating no meat or no sugar or no carbs or only meat and greens? Although this particular diet goes by a few names, it is best known as the Keto diet. This is a low carb diet where you should only consume 50-20 grams of carbs a day. When your body doesn’t have enough glucose to operate it breaks down fats for energy and essentially this is how you’d lose weight. According to Healthline, “The dietary guidelines recommend that carbs provide 45 to 65 percent of your daily calorie intake. So if you eat a 2000-calorie diet, you should aim for about 225 to 325 grams of carbs per day. But if you need to lose weight, you will get much faster results eating around 50 to 150 grams of carbs.” The Keto diet is famous for how much weight its participants lose and how much ‘progress’ they’re able make in so little time. Does it sound alarming? Some people believe so.

Jillian Michaels, personal trainer, nutritionist and author, spoke her truth on the Keto diet. Off the bat, Michaels stated, “Now, there is some logic to the benefits of ketones or brief periodic ketosis, but those benefits have been manipulated and commercialized making this diet downright dangerous. I’m sure you’ve heard the term “too much of a good thing”? Welcome to the Keto diet.” She goes on to explain the scientific definition of the Keto diet as well as its benefits. These said benefits include: a lowering of insulin levels which lessens the risk of getting type 2 diabetes, infertility problems, heart disease and even Alzheimer’s. Michaels goes on to state, “The diet has its upsides for sure. But the equally important questions we have to ask are: What are the diet’s long term downsides and can’t we get the above listed benefits in a safer way?”

Ask yourself this: “When we cut out entire food groups like fruit, whole grains and legumes, what price are we paying?” (Michaels). Keto diet participants rave about losing weight without having to exercise or diet. The Keto diet doesn’t take into consideration the person’s health, which is what Michaels touches on as she states, “The Keto diet does not address what types of proteins and fats are ideal, and this is essential…When we aren’t eating all the macronutrients in a balanced way, we are literally starving our cells.”

All in all, there are many healthy ways to lose weight that don’t strain or harm your body. Yes, you’d have to put in more effort but what’s having a physically appealing body if you’re damaging yourself internally? As Michaels said, too much of anything is harmful and in this case too much protein can be very destructive to the kidneys and pancreas. Most times when things sound too good to be true, that’s exactly what they are!