What Really Happens To Your Body When You Eat Keto

The ketogenic diet is a low carbohydrate, high fat, moderate protein diet that recommends limiting carbohydrates to anywhere between 20 to 60 grams per day. Generally, the ketogenic diet is about 75 percent fat, 20 to 25 percent protein, and 5 to 10 percent carbohydrates. Calories are usually not limited on the keto diet. This may seem like heaven to some people because it allows them to eat as much as they want, as long as they stick to the general principles.  

The purpose of keeping carbs low is to achieve a metabolic state called ketosis, where your body is essentially forced to stop using glucose or carbohydrates for fuel, burning fat instead. When your body is deprived of carbohydrates — its primary energy source — it begins to utilize a substance derived from fat, called ketones. Your body then begins to tap into its fat stores for energy.

The exact number of carbohydrates to achieve ketosis depends on the individual. Protein intake can also have an affect. Additionally, when you primarily eat fat, your blood sugar doesn't increase after a meal, therefore your insulin levels stay stable. Insulin is a hormone that encourages storage of calories after a meal, therefore controlling insulin levels may also prevent calories from being stored, resulting in weight loss.