Food

What is the dirty keto diet that lets you eat fast food three times a day?

(Picture: hulksmashfood)

The keto diet must be one of the most popular diets this century.

We all know someone who actively swerves carbs in favour of a diet high in meaty protein and fats.

But if that sounds too much like unenjoyable, hard work, then how about trying the dirty keto?

Dirty keto essentially follows the same principals as original keto but it focuses almost exclusively on macro breakdown rather than where those macros come from.

It follows the principle of needing 60-75% of your daily calories from fat, 15-30% from protein and 5-10% from carbs – and as long as you meet those percentages, thats all that matters.

So rather than going mad on nuts and steaks, you can opt for more processed foods like pork scratchings and cheese.

And while no one knows where the idea came from, there are whole digital communities dedicated to the diet…so clearly someones doing it.

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Keto is all about getting your body to use fat as a form of energy (thats ketosis), and you do that by minimising the amount of sugar you eat from carbs and focusing on healthy fats.

But dirty keto doesnt care where your fats come from; fats are fats, regardless of whether theyre from a bunless cheeseburger or an avocado.

Sounds like a dream come true for all you fast food fiends, right?

While dirty keto will still get your body into a state of ketosis, it isnt a healthy way to do it. In fact, its a one-way express ride to something known as the keto flu – which is when you get IBS-like symptoms, feelings of lethargy, headache and muscle ache.

But if all you care about it getting your body used to using fat rather than sugar, then that can happen whichever keto method you use.

Dont forget, however, that calories do still matter when it comes to keto and if all youre doing is downing fatty burgers, then the chances are that you wont be eating much because what you do consume will be so calorie-dense.

Scott Keatley, RD of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy, tells Womens Health that the dirty keto is a temporary fix at best.

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At worst, its a really good way to lose lean body mass that is difficult to get back and aids in maintaining a high functioning metabolism.

In short, it might be better to reach for that avocado after all.

MORE: The new Super Carb Diet is proof that cutting carbs isnt necessary for weight loss

MORE: Personal trainer shows how bloated she becomes after eating eggs, dairy and sugar

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