WHAT IS THE KETO DIET?

One of the most important factors to consider before choosing a senior housing community in Rio Rancho concerns diet and nutrition. As we grow older, our body develops special needs that only the proper diet and nutrition can fulfill. If you watch just a little television, you probably have come across several ads that promote different diets. At night, it seems like a non-stop flurry of ads extolling the virtues of eating certain diets.

How do you make sense of all the information concerning diets?

The answer is learning about the facts of each diet. At our assisted living facility in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, that starts by answering the questions, what is the Keto diet?

An Overview of the Keto Diet

Also referred to as the ketogenic diet, the keto diet has emerged as one of the most popular diets that involves consuming a below-average amount of carbohydrates. If following a strict keto diet, you replace carbs with fat to generate energy, with the primary goal of accelerating the body’s natural fat-burning process. Created to treat children who live with drug-resistant epilepsy, the keto diet eventually went mainstream because of its weight loss benefits.

The science behind the keto diet involves ketosis, which is a process the body develops when you eat a low-carb diet. Other diets that follow the ketosis approach include the Atkins diet and the Dukan diet. The keto diet stands out from the other diets that rely on ketosis due to the consumption of a higher-than-average amount of fat. To generate the ketosis process, your body should not absorb more than 50 grams of carbohydrates a day.

How Do You Follow the Keto Diet?

You should ease into a keto diet by first focusing on eating foods that provide liver support, such as garlic and onions. Another tip to maximize the benefits of the keto diet involves decreasing the amount of sugar, caffeine, and alcohol that you consume. Following the standard keto diet includes incorporating a considerable amount of non-starchy vegetables like kale and spinach into each meal. Both leafy vegetables work well as part of every meal, including breakfast. Kale and spinach are low in carbs and both leafy vegetables deliver plenty of vitamins and minerals.

The best foods to consume as part of the keto diet include fish, nuts, high-fat meat, and high-fat dairy such as cheese. Foods to avoid cover all types of bread, pasta, and cereal. You also need to avoid drinking certain beverages such as fruit juices and milk-based drinks.

Does the Keto Diet Work?

Research indicates the keto diet can help you lose weight, as well as improve insulin sensitivity for those who live with diabetes. When tested against a low-fat diet, the keto diet achieves a greater loss of body weight, in some cases as much as 10 pounds in just two weeks. How long you keep the extra weight off depends on your commitment to following the keto diet, as well as maintaining a regular exercise routine.

The Importance of Diet and Nutrition at MorningStar of Rio Rancho

The licensed caregivers at our assisted living facility in Rio Rancho, NM place a strong emphasis on educating our residents about the importance of diet and nutrition. Although the keto diet might not be for every resident, the scientific proof of the diet’s success makes it one to consider for residents who want to lose weight. Learn more about how MorningStar of Rio Rancho stresses the importance of diet and nutrition by scheduling a tour today of our senior housing community in Rio Rancho.