The keto diet has seen a lot of positive press lately due its incredible ability to help people shed pounds. Celebrities like Vanessa Hudgens, Halle Berry, Kourtney Kardashian, and LeBron James are huge fans of this diet when it comes to shredding fat in a short amount of time. As amazing as the keto diet is, there are major risks that come along with it. Here are 3 reasons you may want to quit keto for good:
You’ve Been On The Keto Diet For Too Long
Staying on the keto diet for too long can be damaging over time. Monica Auslander Moreno, RD, nutrition consultant for RSP Nutrition explains, “The lack of diverse prebiotic fibers from those excommunicated foods like beans, potatoes, and fruits may cause a disturbed microbiome environment, which can affect everything from immunity to bowel motility and digestion.” She continues, “…we often see elevated liver enzymes, a sign of liver dysfunction, on prolonged keto diets, as well as indicators of cardiovascular disease, like elevated triglycerides or hypercholesterolemia.”
You’re Losing Weight Too Quickly
“If you are losing weight too fast, chances are that you will gain the weight back when you go back to eating your regular foods,” says Sandra Arevalo, RD, spokesperson for the American Academy of Dietetics and Nutrition. Experts recommend only losing one to two pounds per week. Another issue with the keto diet is that many people on the diet are not eating enough nutrient dense foods. Arevalo states, “You might also be depriving yourself of foods that not only taste good but are also good for you.”
You’ve Had The Keto Flu For Too Long
If you’re on keto and experiencing headaches, brain fog and fatigue – you’re going through a common side effect of keto called the keto flu. The keto flu usually shows up around two days into the diet and sticks around for up to two weeks. If you’ve been dealing with the keto flu for longer than that, it may be time to put the keto diet on pause.
Moreno explains, “Keto flu is a nefarious sign; it’s your body communicating to you that something is dreadfully wrong…Those kinds of symptoms should be a loud and clear message to stop a keto diet and resume normal, balanced eating.”
