A Healthy Modified Keto Diet for Weight Loss (Adults Only)

What is the Keto Diet

The keto diet (also called the ketogenic diet) is a high fat, low-carbohydrate diet that was traditionally used to treat seizure disorders in children. Recently, the keto diet has been used for weight loss. There are many different ways to reach a healthy weight other than following a keto diet.  Talk to your health care team to decide if the keto diet is right for you. 

Who can use the Keto Diet

The keto diet is only recommended if you can meet with your health care team regularly. It is not recommended if you are pregnant, have had gastric bypass surgery, or if you have:

• Type 1 diabetes
• Heart Failure
• A Body Mass Index (BMI) less than 30
• A history of restrictive eating and/or eating disorders
• Liver problems (including hepatitis) or chronic kidney disease, or who have had a liver or kidney transplant
• Other medical conditions as defined by your doctor

Tests you may need to have before starting 

Your doctor may order some tests to decide if it is safe for you to start the keto diet. These tests may include:

• Fasting lipids
• Complete blood count (CBC) with platelets
• Electrolytes such as serum bicarbonate, total protein, calcium
• Serum liver and kidney tests including albumin, creatinine, AST/ALT, BUN

Look for these symptoms while following the Keto Diet

• High or low blood sugar, or symptoms such as dizziness, sweating and confusion
• Constipation; abdominal pain; nausea or vomiting;
• Irritability
• Headache
• Tired or sleepy; feeling weak; low exercise tolerance 

If any of these symptoms are severe or persistent, call your doctor.

Food choices on the Keto Diet

• Choose healthy fats, such as avocado, cooking oils (olive, canola, avocado, safflower, sunflower, sesame), nuts (walnuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, Brazil nuts), seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, chia, flax), nut butters, and olives.
• Choose fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, and herring.
• Choose healthy cooking methods such as grilling, baking, broiling, stir-frying, or steaming.
• Eat less of these foods (if at all): processed meats (like bacon, sausage, and hot dogs), butter, coconut oil or palm oil, and heavy cream. 

At any time, if you need help improving your nutritional well-being or have nutrition-related questions, please ask for a referral to a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).