Diet & NutritionKetogenic DietExplore This TopicShare this articleShareShare on FacebookShare on XShare on PinterestCopy LinkKetogenic DietHere's what to know about the ketogenic diet, from the basics to variations of this popular eating plan. Learn how best to begin the diet, what to eat and avoid, and how to maintain ketosis for optimal weight loss benefits.LEARN MORE1Ketogenic Diet 101: A Complete Scientific Guide to Keto210 Types of the Keto Diet3Keto Diet: A Complete List of What to Eat and Avoid, Plus a 7-Day Sample MenuSEE MOREKeto Diet: A Complete List of What to Eat and Avoid, Plus a 7-Day Sample MenuNata Bene/Adobe StockByJessica MigalaUpdated on January 12, 2023Medically ReviewedbyLynn Grieger, RDN, CDCESON THIS PAGEBenefitsRisksMeal Plan TipsFood ListBest FoodsSample MenuKeto on a BudgetKeto SnacksDining OutRecipesCookbooksResourcesSee more (2) ON THIS PAGEBenefitsRisksMeal Plan TipsFood ListBest FoodsSample MenuKeto on a BudgetKeto SnacksDining OutRecipesCookbooksResourcesSee more (2) If you’re looking to get a jump-start on your health and fitness goals, you may be thinking about trying a low-carb eating plan such as the ketogenic diet. Maybe you’ve heard the phrase before — it’s a huge diet buzzword — but aren’t sure what it means.Here’s a primer: The popular ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet. Meanwhile, you’ll aim for moderate protein in your meal plan. In other words, it’s a far cry from the fad low-fat diet approaches of yesteryear — and, really, from other diets in general.The main way ketogenic diets differ from other popular low-carb diets is that keto diets aim to drive your body into a metabolic state called ketosis, in which the body starts burning stored fat as a source of energy, instead of carbohydrates, says Stacey Mattinson, RDN, who is based in Austin, Texas. Once you’ve adjusted your food intake to get there, your body can enter a state of ketosis in 1 to 3 days, she adds. Nutritional ketosis can also happen if you eat another restrictive diet — specifically, a very low-calorie diet. Typically, that type of diet consists of 600 to 800 total calories per day and is doctor supervised and medically recommended.EDITORIAL SOURCESEveryday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.SourcesAdditional SourcesGibson AA, Seimon RV, Lee CM, et al. Do Ketogenic Diets Really Suppress Appetite? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Obesity Reviews. January 2015.Pimpin L, Wu J, Haskelberg H, et al. Is Butter Back? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Butter Consumption and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, and Total Mortality. PLoS One. June 2016.Sluijs I, Forouhi NG, Beulens J WJ, et al. The Amount and Type of Dairy Product Intake and Incident Type 2 Diabetes: Results From the EPIC-InterAct Study. 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Dietary Iron. StatPearls. October 22, 2022. , Clean Keto is a variation that puts equal emphasis on the keto macro ratio and food quality. It prioritizes healthy fats and the avoidance of additives and inflammatory oils. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover tips on how to start Clean Keto, its benefits, and a simple meal., Use our kitchen clean-out list to help you make sure your kitchen is keto-friendly before starting your keto diet plan. This can dramatically increase your chances of success. Drink lots of fluids and get enough salt, especially during the first week of the meal plan, to minimize symptoms of the initial “ keto flu.â€.