The Ketogenic Diet: Your Ultimate Beginner’s Guide To Going Keto

by Keni Reagan

Natural Biology gets a lot of questions about KETO - and many of us have tried it. We think it is a good way to get the pounds off and then move to a more balanced diet like Mediterraen. This is a great article by Kristi Storoschuk who is a scientific writer, currently living in Ontario, Canada. She works alongside the world’s leading ketogenic researchers communicating the science behind nutritional..

What is the ketogenic diet?

At its simplest, the ketogenic diet is a diet that allows the body to transition into and sustain a state of nutritional ketosis, where the body has flipped its metabolic switch from using glucose to using fats and ketones for fuel. In this way, a keto diet is essentially mimicking what happens to our bodies when we fast. In fact, the origins of the ketogenic diet date back to 1921, when Russel Wilder, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic developed it as a more sustainable alternative to fasting for treating epilepsy.

The diet is high in fat, moderate in protein, and very low in carbohydrates. What the diet does is suppress insulin, just like fasting would. The only difference is that it’s the fat from the diet fueling ketone production, whereas during starvation, ketone production is fueled by stored body fat. That said, if you are eating a ketogenic diet in a calorie deficit or practice some variation of fasting, you will be able to tap into those fat stores.

The suggested ratios of macronutrients on a keto diet can vary among individuals, but typically fall within the ranges of:

Fat: 65-85%
Protein: 15-35%
Carbohydrate: 0-10%

What this looks like is no more than 50 g of total (not net) carbohydrates, roughly 1-1.8g of protein per kg of lean body mass, and fat to make up the remaining calories (or eaten to satiety). In addition to a ketogenic diet, practicing intermittent fasting can make maintaining ketosis relatively easy.

What exactly is nutritional ketosis?

Nature figured out around 2 million years ago that if we were going to survive as a species we would have to find a way to live without constant access to food. Inevitably, we would need an alternative to our primary fuel source, glucose, otherwise we would wither away trying to keep up with the energy demands of the brain.

Through evolution, the body learned how to capitalize on its large energy reservoir of something people go to extreme lengths to eliminate today, but which allowed our species to thrive—body fat. When glucose dwindles from our blood and further from what’s stored in the liver, most cells in the body can switch over to using fat for fuel. However, since fat doesn’t cross the blood brain barrier easily, the brain doesn’t have this metabolic flexibility, and so begins the narrative of ketosis.

Ketosis is the metabolic state defined by an elevation of blood ketone bodies. Clinically, it is defined as an elevation of the primary ketone body, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), in the blood at levels at or above 0.5 mM.

Why we make ketones

The combination of low glucose and the inability of our brain to use fat for fuel paints a clear picture for why an alternative fuel source that could be used by the brain was so critical to our species’ survival. The solution to this problem lies in the liver, and its controller insulin.

Picture insulin as the gate-keeper to our stored body fat. When it’s around, fat stores are off limits; when it drops, we can finally release fatty acids from stored fat, which are then sent off to the liver. While there’s a bit more to the story, this drop in insulin and influx of free fatty acids is ultimately what sparks ketone production in the liver. The liver then sends these ketones into circulation for their final destination in the brain, as well as various other locations in the body. Ketones are the brain’s only significant alternative fuel source to glucose, and they’re the reason we are able to go days, weeks, even months without a single bite of food.

How long does it take to enter ketosis?

0-12 hours on keto

Fuel source: Glucose from circulation and previously consumed carbohydrates

12-24 hours on keto

Fuel source: Glucose from liver glycogen (the storage form of glucose)

1-7 days on keto

Fuel source: Glucose from amino acids and/or dietary protein (gluconeogenesis)

~ day 3 and onward

Fuel source: Ketones from stored body fat and/or dietary fat (ketogenesis) – this stage overlaps with gluconeogenesis as the body progressively shifts towards ketosis

Remaining time on the keto diet

Fuel source: Ketones from stored body fat and/or dietary fat (ketosis) – glucose utilization diminishes, and ketones and free fatty acids become the body’s major fuel source

What to eat on a ketogenic diet.

Here are the basic keto-friendly foods you want to focus on with a ketogenic diet to provide your body with ample fat, some protein, and minimal carbs (while still getting in plenty fiber):

Fatty cuts of meat
Poultry with skin on
Fatty fish
Eggs
High-fat nuts and seeds (e.g. macadamia nuts, pili nuts, hemp seeds)
Low-carbohydrate fibrous vegetables (e.g. leafy greens, lettuces, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, celery, zucchini, cucumber, mushrooms)
Quality oils and fats (e.g. avocado oil, coconut oil, extra-virgin olive oil, grass-fed butter or ghee, MCT oil)
Low-sugar fruits (e.g. olives, avocados, berries, coconut)
Full-fat dairy (if you aren’t dairy-sensitive)

What to avoid on a ketogenic diet.

Avoiding these foods is key to keep your carb count low enough to enter a state of ketosis.

Legumes
Grains (e.g. whole-grains, flours, baked goods)
Glycemic sweeteners like refined sugar, honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, agave (but here are 5 keto-approved sweeteners)
High-sugar fruits
Starchy vegetables (e.g. potatoes, beets, carrots, yams)

Benefits of the ketogenic diet.

1. Appetite control & weight loss

The ketogenic diet is known to have an appetite suppressing effect. This is largely due to eliminating the fluctuations in glucose and insulin typical of a carbohydrate-based diet. Think of it this way: When you are in ketosis, you essentially have access to unlimited fuel, since you’re wearing it! Not to mention that fat in combination with protein is very satiating, meaning that it can keep you full for longer bouts of time. You will likely find you don’t need to eat as frequently throughout the day, and fasting becomes easier. This can inadvertently create the calorie deficit you’re after, if you are trying to shed some pounds.

2. Brain health

We would be remiss not to mention the brain when it comes to the benefits of ketosis. The brain thrives on ketones, due to a wide array of mechanisms from energy metabolism to the signalling roles of ketones. There are many neuroprotective properties of ketones such as enhanced brain energy metabolism, reduced neuroinflammation, and the calming effect ketones can have on the brain. These benefits are even more pronounced as we age and may offer protection against various age-related neurodegenerative diseases. New science is constantly emerging on how ketones may be therapeutic against various other neurological disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and migraines.

3. Sustained energy

Appetite isn’t the only thing that trends with glucose and insulin levels…energy can too. Being reliant on glucose for fuel may translate to fading energy levels between meals. If you are one of those people that would do anything for that post-lunch nap, the ketogenic diet may help! Energy is less likely to fluctuate throughout the day when in ketosis, again due to constant access to a superior energy source.

4. Improved metabolic health

With the staggering rates of metabolic diseases plaguing the developed world, lifestyle choices that improve how sensitive we are to insulin can be powerful tools. Insulin resistance is tied in one way or another to practically all modern chronic diseases, and the ketogenic diet has been shown in several studies (like this one and this one) to improve glucose control by of course lowering glucose exposure but also by improving our sensitivity to insulin. This can have long-standing benefits on our overall health and wellbeing.

Possible side effects of the ketogenic diet.

1. Electrolyte imbalances

Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium, play crucial roles in the body, balancing and maintaining various biological functions. On a ketogenic diet, there is the chance you’ll run into symptoms of electrolyte imbalances, such as muscle cramps, headaches, or fatigue. These symptoms are associated with what most refer to as the "keto flu." This can occur because low insulin levels, due to the carbohydrate restriction of the ketogenic diet, trigger the kidneys to hold onto less water, causing a loss of not only fluids but electrolytes as well. To avoid any electrolyte imbalances, liberally salting your food or taking an electrolyte supplement can circumvent this potential problem!

2. Short-term decrease in high-intensity exercise

Explosive, high-intensity exercise has a large demand for glucose, as glucose is actually a quicker fuel than ketones. This includes things like sprinting, HIIT, and any type of sport that requires short, quick explosive movements. Because the ketogenic diet restricts carbohydrates, and therefore any appreciable supply of glucose, this type of exercise, at least when performed at high levels, may take a hit. With that said, giving your body a period to adapt to ketosis, something known as keto-adaption, can enhance the body’s fuel utilization during exercise, and may bring things back up to speed… literally. Note: keto-adaptation can take anywhere from four weeks to six months.

3. Too much weight loss

Weight loss was probably what drew you to the ketogenic diet in the first place, but for those who are using the diet for other reasons and starting off at an already healthy weight, weight loss might be something to avoid. The easy solution is to know going in that the diet can produce weight loss, and to be conscious of eating enough calories for your body’s needs.

How to test ketone levels: 3 popular methods.

If you want to know if your body is truly in a state of nutritional ketosis, you have a few options for testing. That said, definitely do not stress over ketone readings—try to judge how the keto diet is working for you based on how you feel!

Blood: Blood ketone testing is the most accurate way to assess whether you are in ketosis. This requires a blood ketone meter and measures levels of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), the body’s primary ketone body.
Urine: Urine ketone testing can be a reliable way to test ketones when just starting on a ketogenic diet. This requires urine ketone sticks and measures levels of acetoacetate. The kidneys will excrete ketones as a “waste product” based on the body’s energy needs. The more adapted you are to ketosis, the better you become at using ketones for fuel, and therefore the less you will excrete. This is why this method is reliable only in the beginning stages of the diet.
Breath: Breath ketone testing is a less common method of testing ketones, but emerging technologies are quite accurate. This method requires a breath ketone analyzer, and measures the ketone body, acetone. Acetone is a breakdown product of the ketone body, acetoacetate, and is released from the body through both our breath and urine.

How to start a ketogenic diet: 5 tips for beginners.

There really is no right or wrong way to start a ketogenic diet. You can ease into it, eliminating carbohydrates from the diet slowly, or dive in head first and cut them out entirely. People tend to overthink the ketogenic diet—we get it, it’s intimidating!—especially if you are switching from a very carbohydrate-heavy diet. But you should get the hang of it pretty quickly by following these tips.

Focus on eliminating the carbohydrates first, before focusing on adding the fat. The carbohydrate restriction is really the most important component of the diet if you want to enter ketosis. Once you get used to subbing cauliflower rice for rice or zucchini noodles for pasta, you’ll start to realize just how sustainable the ketogenic diet can be.

Make sure to supplement with electrolytes during the beginning stages of the diet to avoid any flu-like symptoms associated with electrolyte imbalances and dehydration.

Don’t stress over ketone readings—judge how the diet is working for you based on how you feel!

Track macros in the beginning to learn where hidden carbs may be hiding in your diet—because they can definitely sneak up on you! As you start out, this can be a great tool and teach you a lot about your food choices. But that said, don’t forget about your intuition. If you are full but you haven’t hit your “targets” for the day, don’t force yourself to eat based on this. Always try to eat as intuitively as you can.

Don’t be hard on yourself, the ketogenic diet is not supposed to be stressful. If you slip up and eat a piece of bread, your diet isn’t ruined for eternity—just start fresh the next day. One helpful way to think about it: Picture “cheating” as filling up your glucose tank; the more you fill it up, the longer it will take to empty before switching back into ketosis. So if you eat a few extra carbs, don’t fall guilty to the “well I already had one, I might as well have five” mentality.

Bottom line on the keto diet.

As you can see, the keto diet has legitimate health benefits and doesn’t have to be overly complicated or restrictive (there’s plenty of room for loads of fibrous veggies on your plate). It also makes sense from an evolutionary perspective. But the truth is, everyone is different, and because of this, you may find you need to tweak your keto approach slightly after evaluating how you feel on a more conventional ketogenic diet. For example, women may want to practice carb cycling once a month to support healthy hormone production and minimize side effects.

And, as always, if you have any concerns or are dealing with a specific health condition, talk to your doctor or registered dietitian (ideally one who is well-versed in using low-carb diets with their patients) before implementing a ketogenic diet.