Did you know that the famous sisters of the reality TV world, Kourtney and Kim Kardashian are devotees of the keto diet and have never been shy about their love for this low-carb lifestyle? Then there are Hollywood celebrities like Vanessa Hudgens and Halle Berry (isn’t she ageing in reverse?) who believe in experimenting with different diets and combining intermittent fasting and keto to look the way they do. Even Hugh Jackman relies on the intermittent fasting technique in order to shed extra kilos for action-movie roles.
By the way, both these diet plans are drastically different but seemingly effective for burning fat. But it all boils down to what is the easiest and quickest approach to slim down. Is the ketogenic diet better or does intermittent fasting score brownie points when it comes to weight loss? Let’s first understand both the diet trends to get an impartial view.
Ketogenic Diet in a Nutshell
Yes, keto allows you to gorge on bacon as it’s a low-carb, moderate protein and high-fat diet. Isn’t that enticing? Its target is to keep your carb levels fewer than 50 grams, which is less than four slices of bread a day, half a bagel or a few pieces of cake to high-fibre, low-carb veggies like spinach, asparagus and avocado. So, it’s all about getting your necessary calories from fat and entering a state called ketosis, where your body shifts from using carbs (glucose) as the primary fuel source to using fat (ketones).
The Upside
- Ketosis has some proven mental health benefits as it reduces seizers in people suffering from epilepsy drastically.
- Research suggests that it controls blood sugar levels, making one less prone to diabetes.
- Keto helps battle adult acne as it cuts down on sugar intake.
The Downside
- Although the low carbohydrate keto diet sounds exciting to most beginners, it could give a lot of side effects like bad breath, headaches and rashes.
- It makes it difficult to reach your daily micronutrient needs and also lead to cramps due to lack of magnesium.
- It could lead to dehydration that may result in constipation and indigestion.
Intermittent Fasting in a Nutshell
This fasting method includes two approaches: The first one is to eat only some calories on certain days, then cover up by eating normally the rest of the days. The other approach is about eating only during certain hours and then totally skipping meals for the rest of each day. In a nutshell, IF lets you eat anything you want, and that too at your preferred time. Whoa! A diet that lets you eat; it is a godsend!
The Upside
- Since this method is organic and not drastic, most people find it easier to follow it and maintain their willpower.
- You’ll land up saving a lot of time and money spent on cooking multiple meals.
- Since it does not lead to muscle wasting, it’s relatively safe for bodybuilders and fitness instructors too.
- It reduces insulin resistance, making you less vulnerable to Type 2 diabetes.
The Downside
- It tends to give intense hunger pangs that can cause extreme discomfort.
- IF dieters take to coffee to keep hunger pangs in check, so that leads to caffeine dependency.
The Verdict
Let’s be honest about this. Some diets just don’t work for certain people. So, you need to experiment and see how you feel. You could also seek advice from your dietitian or doctor before hopping on the keto or intermittent fasting bandwagon. There cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach, but in our opinion and experience, intermittent fasting is certainly a more sustainable and long-term lifestyle choice.
If you’ve already tried these diet trends, we would love to know how your journey was! We’re all ears!