A low-carb or Ketogenic diet can be beneficial for people of all ages and all activity levels.  For most however, it’s a major commitment that requires a huge shift in lifestyle.  Large changes are extremely difficult to make. While making the shift may be beneficial, it’s not always necessary.  When a person considers switching to a Ketogenic diet, it’s important that they have thoroughly considered their reasons for doing so, and that they have though through what they hope to achieve.  Do the realistic and predictable benefits outweigh the potential struggles and consequences of change?  Speaking to a RD or or medical advisor is always recommended.

Transitioning to a Ketogenic diet can be done cold turkey, which will result in quicker ketosis and subsequently aid the client in becoming more fat-adapted sooner, or it can be done as a gradual transition, by lowering carb intake over the course of a number of weeks.  Transitioning to consuming fewer carbohydrates over time might be easier on some people than it is on others.  This allows the client time to form new habits, and to learn which foods will and won’t work for them. Other people might find that cutting back carbohydrates in one swift change, leads to less temptation and better progress.  In this case, ketosis usually kicks in within a few days and for many people, being in a state of ketosis reduces hunger.

Good Candidates for Ketogenic Diets

The following outlines some potentially good candidates for a Ketogenic nutrition plan.  Keep in mind that when considering any diet plan, the best diet is one that the client can stick to.

• People who struggle with weight loss and/or body composition changes with a conventional diet are sometimes really great candidates for Ketogenic nutrition plans.
  • One of the benefits commonly reported with the Ketogenic diet is a higher level of satiety. People simply feel less hunger. This makes eating less overall calories easier on the client, and often they don’t even notice.
  • For many, eating a Ketogenic diet is simple because there is a clear and simple list of ‘do eat’ and ‘do not eat’. The black and white nature of Ketogenic diet means little thought needs to be put into it.
• People who prefer higher fats are also often a great fit for Ketogenic nutrition plans. Preference should be one of the first major considerations a coach should explore before recommending any nutrition plan.
  • Diets that allow clients to eat the healthy foods that they enjoy can lead to higher compliance, consistency and ultimately better results.
• People with a history of seizures may seek a nutrition coach while already on a physician prescribed Ketogenic diet. There is a long history of a Ketogenic based diet being used to reduce and treat seizures.
  • If your client falls under this category it’s important to keep them on a Ketogenic diet and not to transition to a conventional one.
• People with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes might benefit from a Ketogenic diet. Restricting carbohydrate intake in this population has been shown to help improve and even reverse the disease progression.
  • If your client falls under this category it’s important they consult with their physician before they transition to a Ketogenic diet.
• People diagnosed with Celiac disease, or those who are gluten intolerant may do extremely well on a Ketogenic diet.
  • Foods that contain gluten also kick a person out of ketosis and as such are not to be eaten.
• People who have been prescribed a Ketogenic diet by their doctors. Doctors may sometimes recommend a Ketogenic diet to clients to manage a variety of pathological conditions including chornic headaches, systemic inflammation, and even some cancers.
  • If their physician has prescribed your client a Ketogenic diet it’s important that you do not transition them to a higher carbohydrate conventional diet.

Poor Candidates for Ketogenic Diets

The following outlines people that are poor candidates for Ketogenic nutrition plans.

• Clients with type 1 diabetes are poor candidates for Ketogenic diets because of their risk of developing ketoacidosis.
• Pregnant women should not be placed on a Ketogenic diet as there are very limited studies exploring the effects of a Ketogenic diet during pregnancies.
  • The effects of a Ketogenic diet on a fetus during pregnancy are unknown.
  • Extreme fat loss during pregnancy should be avoided.
  • Pregnant clients should still focus on eating healthy fats and whole foods, without restricting carbohydrate intake.
  • Pregnancy clients who enjoy high fat diets may still eat lower carb by avoiding high glycemic carbohydrates like potatoes and breads, but should include a good variety of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and legumes to get a variety of nutrients.
  • Nutrition during pregnancy is highly individualized. If there are any major concerns or if they are considering making drastic changes, the client should consult with her physician first.
• Clients with bulking or mass building goals should avoid a Ketogenic diet. The high levels of satiation make it hard to eat enough to support tissue building.
  • Carbohydrates play an important role in muscle recovery and rebuilding. A person who wants to build mass should not avoid them.
• Vegetarians and vegans are not suitable candidates for Ketogenic dieting as it is extremely challenging for them to get enough protein and fat without overeating carbohydrates, from non-animal sources.
• Clients with a history of an eating disorder may not be suitable candidates for a Ketogenic diet, due to the high level of precision and detailed thought that must go into food choices. Any nutrition plan that calls for extreme focus on food choices may lead to restrictive thinking and trigger unhealthy tendencies.
• High functioning female athletes may not be suitable candidates for a Ketogenic diet.  Carbohydrates are imperative for female’s hormonal needs.  Many female athletes who consume to few end up with conditions like amenorrhea (the absence of menstruation).

 

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