As I mentioned in Fit by 50, ketogenic diets have been all the rage for the past few years. I also wrote that if I had to choose one type of diet specifically for weight loss, it would be keto (or the higher protein version). Here I want to qualify that recommendation.
The pros of the keto diet are that it’s simple (eat protein and fat) and very satiating. When your meals are basically “steak and eggs,” it’s hard to overeat.
However, it’s important to note that keto does not offer a significant advantage over other diets when calories are equal. In other words, if your maintenance calories are 2000/day, it doesn’t matter if you eat 1700/day on a keto diet or 1700/day on a different diet. If you’re consistent, you will lose weight. Again, this is specifically with regard to weight loss and not other health conditions or the overall nutritional value of a diet.
So, while I still recommend it for its simplicity and overall nutritional value compared to diets high in carbohydrates or “plant-based” diets (sorry vegans, but steak is healthier than kale), keto is not the only way to go.
Thanks for reading,
Dan
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