Many people want to shed weight drastically and one of the latest trends in the world of weight loss is the ketogenic diet. The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carbohydrate food plan. The diet forces the body to burn fats as opposed to carbohydrates. The production of ketones in the liver, when the body burns fat to get fuel, is known as ketosis. This diet is not recommended for everyone and you need to consult your physician before getting on it.

Let’s take a quick at some of the basic ground rules of a keto diet.

The Dos of the keto diet
Beef that is grass-fed and organic, vegetables that grow above the ground, chicken that is organic and pastured, wild-caught salmon, butter, and heavy cream are a part of the keto diet. Having healthy drinks are also recommended in the ketogenic diet. It is essential to replace electrolytes, but you will need to replace these electrolytes with chicken or bone broth and not sugary energy drinks. Sea salt is a must in the ketogenic diet and it is mandatory to have at least two teaspoons of sea salt every day. Healthy fats are also a must in this diet. Foods that have healthy fats include coconut oil, avocado oil, avocados, butter, heavy cream, extra virgin olive oil, animal fats, and MCT oil. According to the keto diet, fat is brain food and should not be avoided as it is a great source of energy and also provides mental clarity. Using natural alternative sweeteners as opposed to artificial sweeteners like Splenda or Stevia is encouraged in the keto diet.

The Don’ts of the keto diet
Eating fast food is a big no-no in this diet. Although you can get just a burger patty without the bun at fast food joints, they are not a healthy option, as it is loaded with chemicals and preservatives. They do not even use real cheese and the meat may have fillers. Salads can also have hidden sugars in them. As a result, it is best to stay away from low carb foods when following the keto diet. Some of the low carb foods include tortillas, sugar-free candies, diet sodas, low carb bars, low-carb packaged bread, shakes or frozen microwaveable meals, and flavored water or zero-calorie artificially sweetened drinks. Some foods that contain bad fats include corn oil, vegetable oil, soybean oil, and canola oil and should be avoided.