I read articles every morning relating to calorie restriction and ketogenic diets. It seems that many of the authors, usually fitness or nutrition specialists, do not seem to have a very good understanding of ketogenic diets or calorie restriction.
Many people seem to think that ketogenic diets are high protein. They really are not high protein, but high fat. In fact, for it to even really be considered a ketogenic diet, the fat ratio needs to be 65-70% of calories. That is a high fat diet, not a high protein diet! Same for zero carb keto.
Also, there still seems to be a misunderstanding about saturated fats. Intake of saturated fats from healthy, 100% grassfed red meats, is perfectly healthy and does not correlate with heart disease or cardiovascular disease. These type of facts in fact the best, most natural, unprocessed fats for homo sapiens to consume. These types of fats provided sustenance for our ancestors through the ice ages, which is most of homo sapiens' history.
Many people seem to think that ketogenic diets are somehow not easy to follow long-term. I would disagree heartily. Ketogenic diets are very easy to maintain long-term, since they are by the nature of the high fat intake, very satiating.
People think that zero carb means that you are undernourished from not eating vegetables. However, if one includes organ meats from 100% grassfed animals, then that relays the full complement of vitamins, minerals, and compounds such as coenzyme Q10 found in beef heart and folate found in liver. The fat contains antioxidants in the form of vitamin A and E, and is high in omega 3 fats versus omega 6 fats. If you include natural sea salts, you will also be replenishing trace minerals. That fats and the salt also help keep the digestion running smoothly.
Many people claim that restricting calories will cause fatigue, hormonal issues, binge eating, lowered metabolism, etc. However, when calorie restriction is done in the context of a ketogenic diet, that changes everything! I have been able to practice 25% calorie restriction from baseline (according to calorie restriction calculators), for over a year now, without any of those above issues.
Lastly, some people think that following a meat-based diet is bad for the environment. However, raising animals on natural grasslands actually replenishes the soil, unlike monoculture vegetable crops which strip topsoil and rely on chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
I hope this lays to rest some of the misunderstandings that I often see regarding a restricted calorie, zero carb keto diet!
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Grassfed beef brisket with sea salt
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