Differences....Please!
Could someone tell me the difference(s) between low-carb and Keto? I really have researched the two and both seem to be one and the same to me. What is the deciding factor between the two?
- Tammy asked 6 years ago
- last edited 6 years ago
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Low carb is restricting carbs and many people are comfortable at different carb counts for the day. Keto is being in a state of ketosis which is a fat burning state. You can restrict carbs and never go into ketosis. Keto is working for me when low carb did not, but I think everyone has to find what works for them. 🙂
- Dana answered 6 years ago
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Right. Ketosis is at the extreme low end of “low carb”. Some people cut out the second piece of toast and say they are going “low carb”. So definitions can be rather slippery there. Ketosis though refers strictly to the metabolic state of burning ketones as your primary fuel source.
- AlohaBird answered 6 years ago
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Ketosis is the body producing ketones while oxidising fat, usually by restricting carb intake or fasting.
You can be in ketosis without being especially low carb if you are eating at a large deficit and exercising a lot.
- PhilT answered 6 years ago
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An easy way to tell the difference between low carb and Keto, without getting too complicated is : low carb is: low carb, high protein and no fat. Keto is in a nutshell, low carb, moderate protein and high fat. All the macros are tailored to you, your individual body and activity level and a few more things. So it’s very personal as to what works for you. I find that I have to keep my protein in check and increase my fat to keep my weight loss steady and keep my energy level up.
- scoobydoo answered 6 years ago
- Low carb is NOT “no fat.” If you’re limiting carbs, and protein is naturally limited to about 35% or calories (very difficult to get past this number without using a lot of shakes, etc), then the rest of your macros will come from fat. Keto is a lower carb, higher fat, moderate protein version of low carb.
- Matt is right that low carb is not supposed to be non-fat but scooby is right that sometimes fat-phobic people try to do both lower carbs and nil fat and they end up being incredibly miserable and not successful in the long run.
- Thanks AlohaBird. I stand corrected. But after a lifetime of being brainwashed about fat being bad, I did the low carb diet and tried to keep it low fat as well. And I was miserable, like you said. It is hard to let go of most everything I have ever been told as a way to lose weight, and keep it off. I am physically and mentally healthier now on Keto. Oddly enough, it’s the way I ate as a kid, before the low fat madness hit my family.
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