The rise of the ketogenic diet – New Food
Dr Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University discusses the increasingly popular ketogenic diet that swaps carbohydrates for proteins and fats.
Are you on the ketogenic (keto) diet? Apparently, many people are, or have tried it in the last year. It is possibly the most popular dietary trend in North America right now.
Over the last 12 months, the word keto was the most googled food-related topic in the world. The ketogenic diet is certainly not for everyone, but the numbers show that this trend is not going away anytime soon.
The keto diet is one of any number of dietary options out there. The world of diets is more fragmented than ever as we seem to compartmentalise consumers, putting them in boxes with labels on them. Flexitarian, vegan, pescatarian, raw food, Atkins you name it there is a diet for you. But it is proving difficult to measure the number of people following a certain diet. On any given day, one consumer could potentially follow two or three diets. We all have a different approach to diet and nutrition, as we have different needs and tastes. Most of us do not give our diet a name. So, ketogenic, or other names we give to diets, are just names. We do not know for sure how many Canadians are following the keto diet, but we do believe the number is growing. A recent poll conducted by Dalhousie University tells us that 26 percent of Canadians have either adopted the keto diet, have tried it or have considered trying it in the last 18 months. In fact, one of Canadas best-selling food books is about the keto diet.
The keto diet is basically a deliberate switch from carbohydrates to proteins and fats. There are different kinds of keto diets, but the diet is essentially about reducing carbohydrate intake. Developed and named in the 1920s to treat children with seizure disorders, the diet puts the human body into a metabolic state known as ketosis. Ketosis occurs when your body metabolises fat, instead of carbohydrates, to produce energy. In other words, with less sugar, the body will eventually lose weight. It also helps control diabetes. Foods not allowed on a keto diet include sugary foods, grains and starches, bread, alcohol, most fruit, beans and legumes. This is a potential nightmare for some, but a godsend for others trying to lose weight fast. It is not recommended for people who exercise vigorously, as it can restrict the bodys access to sugars during an intense workout.
What is unique about the keto diet is that we are starting to see many food products indicating their suitability for a ketogenic diet on the label. This is certainly a sign that the diet is gaining strength and popularity. Many food products being launched target consumers following this diet. However, even if it has been around for decades, little is known about the suitability of the diet for the average person. It remains premature to state whether this diet can be medically popularised. Many studies are ongoing to see whether this type of diet is beneficial. Anyone thinking about adopting the keto diet should proceed with great caution or should consult their doctor first.
The choice to follow the keto diet also comes at a price. One recent report suggests that the ketog diet is anywhere from five percent to 10 percent more expensive than a regular diet without restrictions. The extra fat and proteins will come at a price, but the differential is not significant.
But in the end, all these diets, trends and fads are often an opportunity for the food industry to reflect on its innovation portfolio. Except for the last two to three years, innovative ideas in the food industry have been scarce. When a movement like this gets any traction, it opens a variety of possibilities for the sector. A new pathway to better-quality food products, adapted to our modern lifestyles, is likely to reach grocery stores. For years, gluten-free products were sub-par until a larger number of consumers started to seek out and buy these products. Today, these products are better-tasting and are now of high quality. With vegetarian and vegan options, the same phenomenon is occurring.
It is hard to tell where the keto diet trend will lead. The diet itself is still a medical mystery. Regardless, the marketing of it appears to be gaining steam and that may continue for some time. Smart consumers will carefully consider any keto options found in a grocery store.
About the Author
Dr Sylvain Charlebois is a professor in food distribution and policy in the Faculties of Management and Agriculture at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University. His current research interest lies in the areas of food distribution, security and safety.
See the rest here:
The rise of the ketogenic diet - New Food
- How To Lose Weight Fast - Weight Loss Pills - Alli Diet Pills Reviewed - Appetite Suppressant [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2011]
- How To Lose Weight Fast Home Workout - Quick Belly Fat Burning Exercises - Under 15 Minutes [Last Updated On: May 31st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2011]
- How to Lose Weight Fast - The truth about Fat Burning Foods and Weight Loss Programs [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2011]
- Part 1 of How to lose weight fast in 10 days [Last Updated On: June 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 2nd, 2011]
- Fastest Weight Loss Plan [Last Updated On: July 11th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 11th, 2011]
- How To Lose Weight Fast By Grazing (BBC NEWS REPORT) [Last Updated On: July 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 17th, 2011]
- Fast Weight Loss workout exercises to lose 5 lbs. a week [Last Updated On: August 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 9th, 2011]
- How to Lose Weight Fast - Remaining Motivated is the key! [Last Updated On: August 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 27th, 2011]
- How to lose weight fast and keep it off [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2011]
- 3 Ways To Lose Weight Fast [Last Updated On: September 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 4th, 2011]
- How To Lose Weight Fast and Safe [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2011]
- foods to help lose weight | diets to help lose weight | help lose weight fast [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2011]
- How To Lose Weight Fast and Easy - One Year Later [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- OMG How to lose weight fast - My best diet tips revealed [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- How to (lose weight) fast (I lost 30 pounds) - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- How To Lose Weight Fast - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- How To Lose Weight Fast. The Danger Of Fast Weight Loss - Video [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2011]
- How to Lose Weight Fast - Lose 30 Pounds in 2 Months! - Video [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2011]
- Tips For Rapid Weight Loss ( How to Lose Weight Fast ) - Video [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2011]
- Weight Loss Diet - 7 Day Belly Blast Diet - Video [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2011]
- How To Lose Weight Fast Easy Healthy, lose 30 Lbs in 30 days - Video [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2011]
- how to lose weight fast for kids - Video [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2011]
- Lose Weight Fast in 2 Weeks? I'm Mad! Lose Weight Now-22 Lbs in 2 Weeks - Video [Last Updated On: October 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 26th, 2011]
- LOSE WEIGHT FAST WITH RAW FOODS (FRUITS and VEGETABLES) - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- How to lose weight fast, workout routine - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- How to Lose Weight Fast in a Month or Less - Video [Last Updated On: October 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2011]
- How To Lose Weight Fast - Guaranteed - Video [Last Updated On: November 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2011]
- Best Weight Loss Programs for Fast Weight Loss - Video [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2011]
- How to Lose Weight Fast and How to lose Belly Fat - Video [Last Updated On: November 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 16th, 2011]
- How To Lose Weight Fast in 3 Weeks - Video [Last Updated On: November 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 17th, 2011]
- Swami Ramdevs Tips For Curing Paralysis, Polio Part 1 - Video [Last Updated On: November 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 17th, 2011]
- Tips For Rapid Weight Loss 2012, guaranteed( How to Lose Weight Fast ).flv - Video [Last Updated On: November 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2011]
- How To Lose 10 Pounds In A Week-How Lose 10 Pounds In A Week Easy - Video [Last Updated On: December 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 18th, 2011]
- Lose Weight Fast - 3 Tips For Massive Results - Video [Last Updated On: December 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 18th, 2011]
- How To Lose Weight Fast and Get Sexy Flat Abs - Video [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2011]
- How to Lose Weight Fast and Easy / How to Lose Belly Fat Fast for men / women teenagers - Video [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2011]
- 3 Tips to Lose Weight Fast and Keep it off! - Video [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2011]
- Lose Weight Fast | Diets For Quick Weight Loss - Video [Last Updated On: January 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 1st, 2012]
- How To Lose Weight Fast by Ervin Ruhe Jr - Video [Last Updated On: January 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 7th, 2012]
- How to Lose Weight Fast - Learn how to lose weight in 10 days - Video [Last Updated On: January 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 20th, 2012]
- Weight Loss Success: Mark D. Rucker Made Small Changes And Lost 100 Pounds [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2012]
- How to Eat Out at Restaurants Without Putting on the Pounds [Last Updated On: February 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 2nd, 2012]
- Don’t Roll Your Eyes at my Food Photos! [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- Gastric Bypass 'is not a cosmetic surgery' [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- 10 "Kick Ass" Weight Loss Secrets - Video [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- How To Lose Weight Fast | Lose 20lbs in 30 Days | Fat Burning Workout | Part 3 of 4 by HASfit 083111 - Video [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- effective! how to lose weight fast weight loss tips - Video [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- Best Way To Lose Weight Fast And Remain Healthy.avi - Video [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2012]
- How to Lose 10 Pounds Forever [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2012]
- Salamat Dok: Lose 400 calories in 4 minutes! [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2012]
- From Fit to Fat: Losing Fattitudes to Lose Weight [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2012]
- Do not starve yourself to lose weight: researcher [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2012]
- Primary care program helps obese teen girls manage weight, improve body image and behavior [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2012]
- New Program Helps Teen Girls With Weight Issues [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2012]
- Primary Care Intervention Helps Obese Teen Girls Manage Weight, Improve Body Image, and Change Behavior [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2012]
- How to Fight Type 2 Diabetes [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2012]
- newsitaliapress.it [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2012]
- Why is it so hard for kids to lose weight? [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2012]
- New Book, "Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out", Soars to Number 1 on the Amazon Bestseller Charts [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2012]
- Healthy Living: Bariatric surgery [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2012]
- Asselstine and Cipolletta Make Weight - Battle of Undefeated Prospects Saturday night in Montreal [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2012]
- Booze, fast food go just fine with Chubster diet [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2012]
- Lose Weight Fast In 14 Days With The Lemonade Diet - Video [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2012]
- How to Lose Weight FAST at home! - Video [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2012]
- How To Lose Weight Fast In 90 Days-3 Powerful Tips To Lose Weight Fast - Video [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2012]
- It's official: It's hard to shed fat [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2012]
- It's official: It's hard to lose weight [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2012]
- Nicole's doggie diet dilemma [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2012]
- 5 reasons to stop eating out [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2012]
- Glee’s Amber Riley Drops 2 Dress Sizes [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2012]
- Amber Riley Vs. Jennifer Hudson: A Look at Their Weight-Loss Journeys [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2012]
- 2012 NFL Mock Draft: How the Combine Will Shape the First Round [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2012]
- TOP 7: Easy ways to get rid of TUMMY FAT [Last Updated On: February 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 27th, 2012]
- Stan Harrison: Lose weight with your own indoor fitness track [Last Updated On: February 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 27th, 2012]
- Simplify Life – Part 6 [Last Updated On: February 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 27th, 2012]
- HealthTalk: Energy Slumps and Eating; Exercise with Arthritis [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- How to curb your app-etite [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2012]
- Foster off to fast eginning [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2012]
- Boost your eating habits [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2012]
- Lion starters lean on role players [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2012]