The Ketogenic diet is the latest craze among obese individuals who are not willing to sacrifice calorie-filled foods. The trend may continue even after weight loss surgery.
It is important for bariatric patients to maintain a healthy diet after the procedure. Many patients who do not want to stick to the post-op guidelines are considering a keto diet. There are some good and bad sides to this. On the flip side, the diet can facilitate weight loss at an unimaginable rate. Still, it is pertinent to take it with caution.
There are three (3) fad diets that are enshrined in ketogenic diets. As it stands, many bariatric patients are contemplating them as alternative means for faster weight loss after bariatric surgery.
The keto diet has helped many, however, is it the right diet for you? Seek the experience of those who may have tried it in our Facebook Patient Community.
What is Keto Diet?
This is a diet that is low in carbohydrate and is moderate in other food types. By implication, the ketogenic diet is a high-fat, adequate-protein, and low-carbohydrate diet that help patients to sustain their weight loss goals. The traditional setting demands that every food should contain 75% of fats, 20% of protein, and 5 of carbohydrates.
Remember that the essence of weight loss surgery (WLS) is not only to reduce the stomach’s size. It also aims at cutting down the amount of food intake, especially carbohydrates. With the carbs hovering at 5% in a keto diet, the patient will be able to meet up with the post-op dietary demands.
Also, the reduction in carbs triggers “ketosis”. Ketosis is metabolism in the body, which restructures the way the body sources for energy. The idea is for the body to burn fats for energy. Read further to understand how it works and why a Ketogenic diet will be of help to you.
When you consume food, the body converts the carbohydrates into glucose. This is usually the case when the carbs are high. The glucose transports around the body and helps the brain in functioning. When the amount of glucose is low, the liver converts fat into ketone bodies. It is the increase in ketone bodies that trigger the body state known as “Ketosis”. Because of the reduction in carbs, the body burns fat for energy. It is on this premise that the ketogenic diet takes root.
The ketogenic diet is taking the world by storm, and many people are buying the idea. However, it is not for everyone. Before you give it a try, consult your doctor and be sure he gives consent. The diet can be a good idea for bariatric patients. Feedback from patients who tried their hands on it suggests that the diet is a perfect meal plan for post-op feeding. Also, the well-regulated carbohydrate intake that is pegged at 5% is a medium that lets patients manage their carbs. Above all, you have to consider the pros and cons before making a decision on the keto diet.
Modify Your Keto Diet
Are you already excited about the thoughts of faster weight loss with this diet? Don’t jump up yet until you find out the way to go about. Some patients who tried it attest to the quick weight loss, acceleration in their activities (because of the energy that surges through them), and a reversal in some health conditions.
If you must use keto as a medium of dietary weight loss after bariatric surgery, it is pertinent to seek your doctor’s approval. After getting the nod, the next step is modifying the diet. You may be wondering why this is so. Apart from the low carbohydrates (which is good for bariatric patients), you may be in danger’s way if you fail to adjust the diet. These are some reasons why a change is inevitable:
• The Diet is High in Fat
Note that the formation is “LCHF’. This means low-carbohydrate and high-fat. By this formation, it is clear that the diet comprises a lot of fat. That is the reason why the modification is important. Different studies posit that high fat may be bad for an individual that underwent bariatric surgery. So, what do you do? Make modifications by integrating low-carb, high- fat, and higher-protein into your meals.
• Reduce the intake of Cheese, Bacon, and Sausage
If you are conversant with ketogenic diets, you will notice that sausage, cheese, and bacon are an integral part of the meals. However, you cannot afford to consume these every day. Let your doctor help you in modifying them for fair balance.
The Fad Diets
Leaving the traditional post-op diets for keto can be a risky affair. Sometimes, patients fall for some specific foods. They are not entirely bad. Yet, it is important to consume them with caution. There are many of these diets but we’ll be looking at three (3) of them.
1. The Atkins Diet
This is no doubt, one of the most popular fad diets. Introduced by Robert Atkins (a cardiologist) in 1972, the Atkins diet aims at reducing the intake of carbohydrates while emphasizing on protein and fats. It is popular for the rapid weight loss and the developmental strides of losing weight. Typically, patients have to progress through the four (4) stages of the diet to get the weight loss they aim for.
Patients will experiment with the different stages to achieve carb tolerance. It starts with the intake of 20g of carb at the first stage. This aims at more protein and fat. In subsequent stages, the body gets into ketosis and uses fat for energy. As you progress, 5g of carbohydrates will be integrated into the meal. This helps you to determine the number of carbs you can consume at a stretch. The approach is important because it helps you to sustain weight loss after you must have determined the number of carbs that is sufficient for you in a day.
Pros:
- The diet is rich in protein. Because protein is one of the most important elements of post-operative meals, it makes the Atkins diet an option for bariatric patients.
- The diet helps patients to find their carb tolerance level. This way, they can stay away from foods with higher carbs, which can frustrate their weight loss goals.
- Meals are introduced in phases. It also takes patients through different stages until they get to the apex.
- The diet is linked to improvements in health conditions, such as high blood pressure, and diabetes.
- Patients can get rapid weight loss if they do not eat more carbs than the body can tolerate.
- There are varied foods for you to choose from.
Cons:
- There is a risk of ketosis. This is because the first phase of the Atkins diet requires the intake of 20g of carbohydrates. This reduction can trigger ketosis, which comes up when carbohydrate intake is low.
- The diet is restricted. Pregnant women, people with oral diabetes medication, and individuals with kidney problems are not allowed to take the diet.
2. South Beach Diet
This diet usually comes after the Atkins diet. There are chances that bariatric patients will sustain weight loss for a longer period of time when they use the South Beach diet. It was introduced by Dr. Arthur Agatston (a cardiologist) who wanted to provide patients a new lease of life. His goal was to introduce a meal-planning approach that would help patients sustain weight loss without feeling hungry.
The South Beach diet came into force in the mid-‘90s as a lower-carb, lower-fat, and high-protein diet. By the formation, it is clear that bariatric patients will be the core beneficiaries. This is because bariatric meals require a higher amount of protein, and lower carbohydrates. Dr. Arthur named the diet “South Beach” because that was the location of his medical practice in South Florida, USA.
The diet encourages the intake of foods that have healthier fats. Also, bariatric patients can use the glycemic index to determine carbohydrates that are not good for the body. On the flip side, the South Beach diet is a balance of fats, carbohydrates, and protein.
Pros:
- The diet has three phases which help you to sustain weight loss.
- Special consideration is given to proteins. This is an option for bariatric patients that want to regulate the intake of carbohydrates and increase protein intake. Proteins also stimulate the hormones that suppress hunger.
- It offers a long-term eating plan, which can improve health.
Cons:
- The diet encourages the use of processed seed oils and vegetables. This can create health problems.
- Severe restriction of carbohydrates can trigger ketosis and other underlying problems that come with it.
3. The Paleolithic Diet (Paleo Diet)
This diet was introduced in the ’70s by Loren Cordain. The aim of the diet is to take you back to the hay days of meal planning. According to the inventor, Loren, the diet follows the original pattern of meal consumption, which was in practice long before now.
Further takes suggest that early humans were vegetarians and not excited about meats and other forms of foods we have today. In light of this, it posits that going back to the traditional meal plan will save humans a lot of health challenges, such as obesity. Hence, foods in the Paleo Diet are limited to that which cavemen (of the years before now) are known to have consumed.
The uniqueness of the diet is because of the restrictions on processed foods. Unhealthy foods which may not be beneficial to health also get the same treatment. Thus, bariatric patients are interested in the Paleo Diet because of the huge benefits and promises of accelerated weight loss.
Pros:
- Reduces the triglyceride levels in the blood.
- Strict reduction of specific foods that can trigger weight gain.
- It allows the intake of higher amounts of proteins. This also helps you to feel fuller faster.
- Consumption of red meat helps you to build-up more iron in the body.
Cons:
- There are fewer amounts of carbohydrates, which may cause the body to degenerate into ketosis.
- Limiting the varieties of food may cause you to choose from a few meal options.
Keto may not be good
It is true that the positive aspects of the diet may be inviting, it can be bad for health. Always consult your doctor before you decide on consuming ketogenic diets. These are some of the reasons why the diet may not work in your favour.
You risk your body mass
Bariatric surgery helps you to shed off extra kilos of flesh. The same scenario plays out when you go the keto way. However, you stand the risk of losing more mass than with weight loss surgery. The diet can contribute to lean body mass. This is in addition to the loss of the extra fats in the body.
Who wants to lose muscles? That is the reason why you should avoid keto diets. There are higher chances that it will go beyond fat loss and cause reductions in the body mass.
The Diet is not Sustainable
You will regain the lost weight a few weeks after dropping the diet. This implies that bariatric patients have to always stick to the diet. Contrary to this, you stand the risk of gaining back the weight you lost for the period you were on a keto diet.
Keto Flu
Patients will also experience flu-like symptoms a few weeks after starting the diet. This is because of the loss of water in the body. Some of the symptoms are constipation, aches, skin rash, and fatigue.
Go for Ketogenic Diet
In spite of the side effects, keto diets are an option for bariatric patients. There are many benefits that you can get when you chose to go the keto way.
First, you will experience a reduction in water weight. This is because of the reduction in the intake of carbohydrates. Note that carbohydrates hold a lot of water, and the reduced intake also means downsizing the weight of water in the body.
Second, there is a reduction in sugar. This is because of the limited amounts of carbohydrates in the body. Above all, protein intake is pronounced. The combination of these factors helps you to moderate carb intake, increase the amount of protein and sustain weight loss
Losing weight can be easier with a support group to lean on. Our Patient Community on Facebook is a great place for you to explore diets, exercises, and experiences with weight loss surgery. Join today!
Final Words
Discuss with your doctor if you feel that a keto diet will work for you. Weight Loss Riga is keen to see those extra kilos of flesh off your body. We are open to having your thoughts on the keto diet and will offer valuable advice that will help you make the right choice. Above all, our clinic, Weight Loss Riga, offers superb weight loss surgery and provides excellent post-op services that will help you shed off weight as quickly as permissible.
