Team Discussion: A Dietitian's Concerns About The Ketogenic Diet

“Are you on the keto diet?” has become an all-too-familiar question in 2023. Diet culture has promoted this fad diet, along with intermittent fasting, as one of the go-to diets of the year. But are these diets actually good for your health?

This month’s team discussion is all about the infamous ketogenic (keto) diet. You will find “keto-friendly” labels on products at your local grocery store, as well as the occasional restaurant menu. So, where does the idea of keto come from, and why are many diet enthusiasts encouraged to believe in its efficacy?

The first iteration of the ketogenic diet was developed in the 1920s as a way of treating epilepsy. The keto diet became a part of the fad-diet culture in 1972 when Robert Atkins published a diet book instructing readers to “eat fat and very few carbs” to induce ketosis – which Atkins termed the “happy state . . . [where] your fat is being burned off with maximum efficiency and minimum deprivation.”

Why Is Keto So Popular

Keto’s rise in popularity is largely due to the diet’s rapid and dramatic effects. The diet can be quite persuasive, by insisting you cut out fruit and vegetables and focus on eating high-fat foods (i.e., butter, avocado, olive oil) - It comes as no surprise why people are easily convinced that this is a good idea, based on this recommendation alone. But we think otherwise. Read on to find out why.

A Registered Dietitian’s Concerns About The Keto Diet

What Are Your Thoughts On The Diet?

Dianna Marino, MS, RD: “It is not a sustainable way of eating, which means most people probably won't last long, and more than likely regain any lost weight. We are also uncertain of the long-term health risks that come with this diet. Eating in a way that severely restricts several nutritious foods like fruit and vegetables and whole grains is not ideal. 

This is also another diet that leads to the demonization and fear of carbs that we see so much with our eating disorder clients. Marketing strategies capitalize on this trend and label many low-carb foods as keto-friendly, which makes people think they are somehow healthier options.”

What's Wrong With Eating This Way?

Dianna Marino, MS, RD: “Our body's preferred source of fuel comes from carbohydrates.  This diet severely restricts carbohydrates and protein in order to get our body to use fat instead of carbohydrates for fuel, putting the body in ketosis. This may sound appealing to "burn fat,” but this is not an efficient way of fueling ourselves and typically leaves people feeling physically unwell. 

This diet is also extremely high in fat, causing many people to eat high amounts of saturated fats which can increase health risks like heart disease. Eating a keto diet will also be severely restrictive, with a likelihood of impacting one's relationship to food and ability to eat socially.”

What Makes Keto Seem Successful?

Dianna Marino, MS, RD: “Most restrictive diets will usually provide short-term ‘success’ of temporary weight loss. The problem is sustainability and the effect it can have on one's quality of life and mental health. When people can no longer sustain the diet and end up going back to eating higher amounts of carbs and protein and ultimately regaining weight, they are left feeling as though they failed.”

What happens when you eat a high-fat low-carb diet?

Dianna Marino, MS, RD: “Our body will no longer have enough carbohydrates to use as energy, so it will need to look elsewhere for glucose. When carbs are unavailable, our body has a way of creating glucose by breaking down fat instead, leaving ketones as a byproduct and putting our body in what is known as ketosis.  

Ketosis can mess with hunger cues and cause bad breath, fatigue, insomnia, and digestive problems.”

Contact A Registered Dietitian in California

​​A restrictive diet like the ketogenic diet can mask an eating disorder, and research has shown that restrictive diets can lead to eating disorders. If you’re concerned about someone who is practicing the ketogenic diet, we are here to support you. Our registered dietitians and eating disorder clinicians can help guide you or someone you know toward a more balanced relationship with food. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, Kindful Body is here to help. You can start your therapy journey by following these simple steps:

• Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with our client care coordinator or call (415) 323- 6755. 

• Connect with a caring therapist or dietitian.

• Start receiving support for a happier and healthier life!

Other Therapy Services Offered with Kindful Body

Eating disorder treatment, emotional eating recovery, and nutrition counseling aren’t the only services that the team at Kindful Body offers. We understand you may experience more than one mental health concern at a time. This is why we are happy to also offer support for low self-esteem issues, anxiety treatment, and body image. We also offer trauma therapy and grief counseling. When you’re ready, we are here to help you with your eating disorder recovery. We offer eating disorder treatment in Sacramento, San Jose, Oakland/Berkeley, Walnut Creek, San Mateo, Orange County, CA, or anywhere online in California. Learn more about us by checking out our blog and FAQs page!