On Keto? Signs the High-Fat, Low-Carb Diet Isn’t Right for You
Just because a diet is trending or your coworker/brother-in-law/neighbor swears it worked for them doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for you.
“People often feel pressured to jump into the latest diet trend due to social media hype and marketing,” says Maria Zamarripa, RD, a functional medicine dietitian in Denver. The ketogenic diet (or keto diet for short) isn’t actually unique in this regard. “History has shown us that these trendy diets will come and go throughout the years,” she adds.
Signs that you should consider giving up on keto (though the advice applies to any diet):
1. Your Doctor Told You That Keto Is Dangerous for Your Health
Let’s just say that if you didn’t talk to your healthcare team before trying a restrictive diet like keto, you may be unnecessarily imperiling your health. That’s because while some doctors may recommend keto as a treatment for certain conditions, there are some people who shouldn’t go on it
2. Being on Keto Has Led You to Not Enjoy Food Anymore
Regardless of any underlying health condition you might have, we all have different dietary preferences — and factoring them into your diet decision can help you find one you’ll be successful with. Did you eat many tasty and healthy foods like fruits, whole grains, or sweet potatoes before keto? “Don’t try to ignore that and go against what your body wants. You’ll be able to eat like that for a limited amount of time, but eventually you’ll feel restricted,” says Megan Ware, RDN, who is based in Orlando, Florida. Fat may be filling, but if you’re not eating much because you don’t like pouring it all over your food, it’s not a long-term solution.
3. You’re Sneaking in Cheat Days on the Keto Diet
The need for a cheat day may happen because you feel overly restricted or because you don’t like what you’re eating on keto. Either way, needing a cheat day is a sign that keto isn’t right for you. Not only does a study published in February 2019 in the journal Nutrients suggest that keto cycling could damage blood vessels but it’s also not a healthy mentality to live in. “This is your life, and you get to decide how to live it. If every Monday you’re starting your diet over again, you’re not doing the right thing,” says Ware. The best healthy diet is one that you can follow for the long haul.
4. Your Family Just Doesn’t Understand — and That’s Making This Diet Complicated
If you’re on such a restrictive diet that you can’t attend family gatherings or you can’t eat the food that friends or family are serving — and thus have to eat alone before or after — you may feel socially isolated. “Food plays a key role in our culture and social connections, and it should be enjoyed,” says Zamarripa. If keto is taking away your ability to connect with loved ones, reconsider.
5. You Simply Don’t Feel Healthy on the Ketogenic Diet
When you go on keto, everyone will warn you about the keto flu, a time when your body is adjusting to fat burning and you often have symptoms of illness. You should start to feel better after a couple weeks, but if you still feel awful, you may not be properly fueling your body.
