Ask a Dietitian

Registered dietitian and certified personal trainer, Alix Turoff, sat down to answer questions straight from the Enlightened community about the Keto Collection, the keto diet in general, and how to eat well and feel good. Here’s what she had to say…

 

What are your personal thoughts on keto?

Although keto has recently garnered a lot of popularity it’s actually been around for a very long time. It was first used as a treatment modality for epilepsy. Researchers found when they put kids with epilepsy on a ketogenic diet that they were having fewer seizures.

For your body to enter into this state of ketosis, which means that it is no longer burning carbohydrates for fuel (it’s burning ketone bodies for fuel), it requires that you eat very few carbohydrates and a high fat diet. So, it’s not for everyone, but it also doesn’t deserve as much hate as it sometimes gets. It is appropriate for some people, but you should definitely speak with a doctor and a registered dietitian before undertaking a ketogenic diet.

 

Should I try keto?

If you’re curious about trying keto I would first ask yourself if it’s something you can see yourself doing for the long term because like any diet, in order to get long term results it has to be sustainable for you.

 

What’s a net carb?

The concept of net carbs refers to the total number of carbohydrates that are going to be absorbed by the body. We take total carbs and we subtract any indigestible ingredients including fiber, sugar alcohols, and any other thing that your body can’t turn into energy.

 

Why do people think keto is bad for you?

The thought is that because keto is a high-fat diet, that it can potentially lead to increased risks for cardiovascular disease. We do still need to look at more long term research of people who are on ketogenic diets for a sustained period of time.

 

Is keto or ‘lazy keto’ safe while pregnant and/or breastfeeding?

At this point in time I would not recommend a ketogenic diet to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. There are some studies that have looked at being on a ketogenic [diet] during pregnancy and have found that it has led to alterations in embryonic organ growth.

 

What are some yummy keto-approved snacks? 

Hard-boiled eggs with a little scoop of guacamole in the middle, cucumber slices with goat cheese and smoked salmon, celery with peanut butter, tomato and mozzarella skewers…the list goes on!

 

What are your thoughts on having dairy on keto? Is it good, bad, or dependent on the person?

Dairy can be a really great source of protein and calcium. Unless you have a dairy allergy, intolerance, or your doctor has advised you to stay away, there is no problem with consuming dairy.

 

 I thought corn fiber was not keto?

Corn fiber is not the same thing as corn. It is a fiber that’s extracted from corn and has a very low net carb load so it is appropriate for a ketogenic diet.

 

The dietitian I was referred to by my doctor is very anti-keto. What should I do/say to her?

Some dietitians are not big fans of the ketogenic diet because it isn’t necessarily sustainable for most people for the long term. There are other ways of losing weight, but there are some people who the ketogenic diet can benefit including those with very high blood sugar, someone who has over 100 pounds to lose, someone with epilepsy, or someone with a traumatic brain injury. You should always talk with your doctor and a registered dietitian if it’s something you’re considering.

 

What makes these (pints) keto?

The new Enlightened pints are considered keto friendly because they are low in net carbs (they only have 1g net carb per serving) and on keto it’s very important to keep your net carb low and your fat intake high and they do contain full-fat ingredients.

 

Can/should I eat this if I’m not on keto?

You definitely do not have to be on a keto diet to enjoy these pints. My husband and I had a taste test the other night and his favorite is Red Velvet and I’m obsessed with Peanut Butter Fudge.

At the end of the day, whether you’re on a ketogenic diet or any other type of diet, delicious ice cream is delicious ice cream!

 

Want to learn more?

Follow Alix on Instagram!