The ketogenic diet, often referred to as the keto diet, is an eating plan that focuses on foods that are high in fat, moderate in protein, and low in carbohydrates. Originally designed to treat epileptic seizures in children, the keto diet has also been shown to lead to weight loss. While following this diet, rather than relying on glucose from carbohydrates for fuel, the body is forced to use fat, inducing a state of ketosis (meaning there's an elevated level of ketones, or chemicals your liver produces when you burn fat, in your blood). Ketosis can lead to increased metabolism and decreased hunger, resulting in rapid weight loss. However, due to the keto diet's restrictive nature, experts warn that it is not sustainable for most people over the long term.
Ketogenic Diet 101: A Complete Scientific Guide to KetoMedically Reviewed by Lynn Grieger, RDN, CDCES | June 30, 2024
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What was your main reason for starting the keto diet?
FAQ
What foods do you eat on the keto diet?
When following a keto diet, foods to focus on include meat, fatty seafood (like salmon), eggs, cheese, nuts, avocados, olive oil, and low-carb vegetables (like leafy greens, asparagus, and celery).
What are the basic rules of the keto diet?
There are many variations of the keto diet, but the most commonly followed version calls for consuming 75 percent of your daily calories from fat, 20 percent from protein, and 5 percent from carbs.
What is forbidden on a keto diet?
Foods to avoid on the keto diet include grains like rice, wheat, oats, barley, rye, and quinoa; carb-rich snacks like pretzels, potato chips, and crackers; dairy milk; margarine; and starchy vegetables like peas, carrots, butternut squash, corn, and sweet potatoes.
Can you eat fruit on the keto diet?
You can eat low-carb fruits on the keto diet, including watermelon, cantaloupe, berries, and avocados. However, fruits that are higher in carbs, like bananas, apples, pears, mangoes, pineapple, and grapes, are typically avoided.
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Resources
Dynka D et al. Ketogenic Diets for Body Weight Loss: A Comparison With Other Diets. Nutrients. March 10, 2025.
Keto Diet: Is It Right for You? Mayo Clinic. July 6, 2023.
Intermittent Fasting on Keto: What to Know Before You Combine the Diets for Weight LossMedically Reviewed by Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN | October 31, 2025
