If you’re looking to lose weight and improve your health, you may have heard of the keto and paleo diets. Both are popular dietary approaches that have gained a lot of attention in recent years. But which one is better for weight loss and overall health? In this article, we’ll compare the two diets and help you decide which one is right for you.
What is the keto diet?
The keto diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that aims to put your body into a state of ketosis. Ketosis is a metabolic state in which your body burns fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. To achieve ketosis, you must drastically reduce your carbohydrate intake and increase your fat intake. This typically means eating fewer than 50 grams of carbs per day and getting 70% or more of your calories from fat.
The keto diet has been shown to be effective for weight loss, as well as for managing certain medical conditions, such as epilepsy and type 2 diabetes. It can also improve markers of heart health, such as cholesterol levels.
What is the paleo diet?
The paleo diet is based on the idea of eating like our ancient ancestors. It emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods that would have been available to our ancestors, such as meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. The paleo diet excludes grains, dairy, legumes, and processed foods.
The paleo diet has been linked to weight loss, as well as improvements in markers of health, such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It’s also been associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Keto vs. Paleo: Which one is better for weight loss?
Both the keto and paleo diets have been shown to be effective for weight loss, but they work in different ways.
The keto diet works by putting your body into a state of ketosis, which allows it to burn fat for energy. This can lead to rapid weight loss, especially in the first few weeks of the diet. However, the keto diet can be difficult to stick to long-term, as it requires a significant reduction in carbohydrate intake and a high intake of fat.
The paleo diet, on the other hand, is a more moderate approach to weight loss. It emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods that are nutrient-dense and low in calories. By eliminating processed foods and focusing on whole foods, you may naturally eat fewer calories, which can lead to weight loss over time.
Keto vs. Paleo: Which one is better for overall health?
Both the keto and paleo diets have been associated with improvements in markers of health, such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels. However, there are some differences between the two diets when it comes to overall health.
The keto diet can be beneficial for people with certain medical conditions, such as epilepsy and type 2 diabetes. It may also improve markers of heart health, such as cholesterol levels. However, the high intake of fat in the keto diet can raise concerns about long-term health effects, such as an increased risk of heart disease.
The paleo diet, on the other hand, is a more balanced approach to overall health. It emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods that are rich in nutrients and low in calories. By eliminating processed foods and focusing on whole foods, the paleo diet may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
References
- “The Ketogenic Diet: A Detailed Beginner’s Guide to Keto” by Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ketogenic-diet-101
- “What Is the Paleo Diet? Foods to Eat and Avoid, Rules to Follow” by Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/paleo-diet-meal-plan-and-menu
- “Comparison of Weight-Loss Diets with Different Compositions of Fat, Protein, and Carbohydrates” by The New England Journal of Medicine: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0804748