You may have heard the buzz about ketogenic diets—they are low in carbs and high in fat. This may sound very familiar to you, or, quite like Atkins. The difference is that Atkins has been around for 40 years, while ketogenic diets (or, rather, the term “ketogenic”) are relative newcomers to the low carb world, but still follow the basic premises introduced and proven by Dr. Atkins years ago.
In other words, a low carb diet by any other name is still a low carb diet. And there’s research that continues to back the efficacy of low carb diets. In fact, I recently wrote about a study where 56% of 262 participants in a 10-week program consisting of a low carb diet (30 grams of carbs or less a day) and health coaching were able to lower their blood glucose to pre-diabetes levels. And, in the last couple years, ketogenic diets have even taken Silicon Valley by storm, where numerous executives have become intrigued by the idea of “hacking” their metabolisms in the interest of improving their health.
By tweaking the ratio of carbs, protein and fat that they consume (and eliminating the processed foods and sugars that lead to type-2 diabetes and contribute to our nation’s obesity problem) they start burning stored fat for fuel, instead of glucose (carbs). This metabolic state is also known as ketosis. The results? You reap the perks of stable energy levels and steady weight loss, and even improved athletic performance, plus the proven health benefits associated with a low carb diet, such as managing or eliminating type-2 diabetes and reducing your risk for heart disease, and more.
These are all things Atkins has stood the test of time ; now the word continues to spread. You truly are what you eat when you eat the right combination of high-fiber carbs, protein and fat while eliminating the sugars and processed foods that offer little nutritional value.
