Myth #1 – Keto is a new diet fad.
The keto diet gained popularity in the early 1900’s by clinicians at the Mayo Clinic to treat epilepsy. Before this, the diet principles were used for weight loss since the late 1800’s throughout Europe, and was known as the Banting Diet.
Myth #2 – Vegetarians can not be keto.
This is not true. Vegetarians can be keto, not surprisingly however, it will just take a little extra thought! While the traditional keto diet typically does rely on meat as a large source of protein, it is not a requirement. The biggest component of a ketogenic diet is fat. Instead of relying on things like beans and grains for protein, you still have the green light on eggs, dairy, tempeh, natto, miso, nuts, and seeds.
Myth #3 – The brain needs glucose to maintain healthy function and a keto diet does not provide that.
The truth from KetoKrate, an online food subscription website: “Most people are aware that the brain is powered by glucose. Very few are aware that it can also run on ketones and that ketones may actually burn more efficiently with less waste. Once the body has become fully Keto adapted the brain gets up to 75% of its energy needs from ketones” (KetoKrate, 2015).
The remaining 25% glucose needed by the brain can be obtained by processing dietary proteins, carbohydrates are not necessary to this process.
Myth #4 – Keto is not nutritionally sufficient for proper vitamin absorption resulting in dangerous vitamin deficiencies.
According to Ellen Davis, author of Kenetic Diet Resource, “In practice, you’ll probably consume more vitamins and minerals on a ketogenic diet than you did on a standard American diet (SAD), as long as you are eating whole foods (i.e., natural fats, meats, leafy green vegetables) and not packaged, low carb junk food.”
Myth #5 – Keto raises cholesterol which could increase the risk of Heart Disease.
Ellen Davis, author of Kenetic Diet Resource writes, “This, I think is the biggest myth associated with low carb, ketogenic diets. It’s based on the lie that saturated fat and cholesterol cause arteriosclerosis and heart disease. There has never been any scientific study published or unpublished which links cholesterol and saturated fat to heart disease.” Of course, the best fats come from things like nuts, nut butters, seeds, avocados, clean oils, salmon, and other lean meats, so focus your attention there for those fats.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Keto diet, how it could change your life, easy recipes and more – check out my FREE Keto 101 webinar below!