In an analysis of Google search data, New Zealand ranked 4th in the world for diet-related searches. The data revealed that among all diet trends, Kiwis search for ketogenic diets the most. If you live in New Zealand, you may be familiar with it already. A ketogenic diet promises accelerated weight loss, but for some, sticking to a long-term diet might prove challenging.
Keto diets require discipline. Essentially, it is a high-fat diet with very little room for carbohydrates. As such, it grants you the freedom to eat fatty foods without the burden of guilt but demands that you cut off sources of carbohydrates like pasta and bread. For most people, sugar is indispensable, but thanks to erythritol in NZ, a better choice can replace it entirely.
What is a Ketogenic Diet?
The main feature of a ketogenic diet is the high intake of fats in tandem with low consumption of carbs. Protein intake is somewhere in the middle. The ratio would be 70-80% fat, 10-20% protein and merely 5-10% carbohydrates. For this reason, keto works well with weight reduction.
Indeed, Kiwis take weight loss seriously. In their immigration policy alone, a person whose Body Mass Index (BMI) score exceeds 35, which is unsatisfactory, is unlikely to meet health standards. Since a keto diet curbs an entire food category, a person will therefore eat less than usual. Then your body enters into the state of ketosis, where it is forced to get energy from ketones instead of glucose.
When your body enters a state of ketosis, the liver produces ketones, burning more fats. If you have a kidney condition or diabetes, you should first consult a doctor before drastically changing your diet. Also, keep in mind how food high in saturated fat increases the risk of heart disease.
A keto diet is restrictive and hard to sustain. For fatty foods, you are likely to eat butter, nuts, avocado, cheese, and bacon. For foods rich in protein, you are limited to red meat, eggs, dairy and seafood. Lastly, sources of sugar will come mostly from fruits and vegetables.
Is Keto Safe?
As always, you should proceed with caution. If you are just jumping on the bandwagon, then it’s better not to. The general intent of people who undergo keto is to lose weight. Simply put, a ketogenic diet is not for everyone.
If, however, you do wish to continue—then be aware of the type of fats you eat. Keto demands you to eat lots of fat, but it doesn’t say whether it’s saturated or unsaturated. Besides, a strict regimen might lead to missing out on essential micronutrients, one readily available in a broader diet. If you have issues with your pancreas, gallbladder, or thyroid, keto can be harmful to your health.
Erythritol: The Best Sugar Alternative
Erythritol in NZ sounds too good to be true. This type of sugar alcohol is only partially digested in the intestines. Unlike regular sugar, it doesn’t cause spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels. This alternative is about 70% as sweet as table sugar and cools the mouth.
Erythritol is a popular sugar replacement for keto diets. It comes in powder form and is suitable for baking and other recipes. The best part? There is a very small amount of carbs and calories you can ignore entirely.
A national survey in New Zealand showed that, on average, an adult consumes around 107 grams of sugar. No wonder it’s too easy for fat to pile up. It only makes sense that the keto diet is mainstream, while sugar alcohols like erythritol make the diet easier to handle.
