On a low carb diet, ketosis may occur, but it isn’t a goal. However, the only objective way to verify that you’re in ketosis is by checking your ketone levels. However, the first few days to weeks can be tough, as your body switches from burning mostly glucose to burning mostly fat for fuel. When this is achieved, to prevent weight regain one may follow the diet for a few days a week or a few weeks each month, interchanged with other days allowing a higher carbohydrate intake. Some sugar alcohols may still contribute calories and raise blood sugar. However, these calculations are not an exact or reliable science because the effect of sugar alcohols on absorption and blood sugar can vary. Net carbs or impact carbs are the amount of carbohydrate that are directly absorbed by the body and contribute calories. Depending on your source of information, ketogenic food lists may vary and even conflict. Are you concerned that eating a lot of meat, eggs, and other high protein foods will lead to gluconeogenesis (literally “making new glucose”) and raise your blood sugar? In fact, more than 35 high-quality scientific studies show that, when compared to other diets, low carb and keto diets lead to greater weight loss. When following a keto diet, the idea is to eat very few carbs, a moderate amount of protein, and just as much fat as you need to feel satisfied, rather than stuffed. In ketosis, your liver uses fat (from your body and diet) to create ketones that your brain can use for energy. The brain demands the most glucose in a steady supply, about 120 grams daily, because it cannot store glucose. In 1920 it was introduced as an effective treatment for epilepsy in children in whom medication was ineffective. DKA is a condition that affects people with diabetes and people with undiagnosed diabetes. The “perfect” approach to keto will likely differ from person to person. In non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), too much fat is stored in the liver. 11Read more It’s possible that following a low carb diet might help you burn more calories — although this hasn’t been widely studied.12 That means that your experience with keto will be unique. There’s no reason to add lots of fat unless you need extra calories. Although they sound the same, they’re entirely different.32Learn more about ketosis and ketoacidosis.Keto diets aren’t harmful to your heart, kidneys, or bones either. As your body adapts to its new way of getting energy — from fat instead of sugar — symptoms should quickly subside. Being in nutritional ketosis means that your blood ketone levels are between 0.5 and 3.0 mmol/L. However, low carb diets often improve blood sugar control and reduce the risk of hypoglycemia (dangerously low-blood sugar).22 You’ll need to stay under 50 grams of carbohydrates per day to enter and stay in ketosis. Typically, carbohydrates in your diet provide most of the fuel your body needs. This causes your liver to ramp up the production of ketones to ensure it can provide enough energy for your brain. Your body breaks the carbohydrates down into glucose and then uses the glucose as fuel. FatInclude enough fat to add flavor. ProteinEat enough protein to meet your needs. CarbohydratesLimit carbs to 20 or fewer grams of net carbs per day, or 5 to 10% of calories. Drink water, tea, or coffee.DD+ MEMBERSHIP200+ meal plans designed for resultsWith our low carb and keto meal plans, we do the planning for you. Use fats like olive oil for flavor and to fill in calories, if needed. Does eating a keto diet pose any health risks?With the right strategy, creating keto meals is easy.This is based on your genes, health history, and other factors you have little control over.Keto diets aren’t harmful to your heart, kidneys, or bones either.This causes your liver to ramp up the production of ketones to ensure it can provide enough energy for your brain.This can put your body into a metabolic state called ketosis.You may be happy to know that bacon, cheese, and many kinds of nuts are keto-friendly. Plan ahead Create a simple plan for the week. Get a fresh startImprove your chances for success by using this guide to clean out your fridge, freezer, and pantry. In general, you should discuss any significant diet or lifestyle changes with your doctor. This is based on your genes, health history, and other factors you have little control over. Weight loss typically slows down as you approach your goal weight. The total calorie level also does not change despite the amount of net carbs, which is an important factor with weight loss. For a 2000-calorie diet, this translates to about 165 grams fat, 40 grams carbohydrate, and 75 grams protein. When ketone bodies accumulate in the blood, this is called ketosis. The liver produces ketone bodies from fat, which can be used in the absence of glucose. During fasting, or when very little carbohydrate is eaten, the body first pulls stored glucose from the liver and temporarily breaks down muscle to release glucose. However, the diet can be difficult to follow and can produce side effects including “keto” breath and constipation. During ketosis, you have ketones in your blood but not enough to turn your blood acidic. One of the signs of ketosis may include “keto flu,” which includes symptoms such as upset stomach, headache and fatigue. You can still limit unnecessary carbs without eating a strict keto diet. When eating a keto diet, many people feel hungry less often. Some people on a keto diet choose to also practice intermittent fasting to speed up weight loss or when trying to reverse type 2 diabetes. Diabetes-related ketoacidosis is life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. It happens when your blood turns acidic because it has too many ketones due to a lack of insulin. Research suggests your brain works more efficiently on ketones than on glucose. Although research on long-term health effects is needed, the evidence to date suggests that keto diets providing adequate nutrition are unlikely to cause harm.27 Keto and low carb diets can provide powerful blood sugar control for people with type 2 diabetes.15 Why? As discussed earlier, being in ketosis lowers insulin levels, which can help you access your body fat stores more easily.10 Why do keto diets work so well for losing weight? Although it’s possible that you may not need to be this strict, eating fewer than 20 grams of net carbs every day virtually guarantees that you’ll be in nutritional ketosis. Many nutrient-rich foods contain high amounts of carbohydrates. But when your glucose level decreases, your insulin level decreases. Your liver produces a small amount of ketones on its own. When your carb intake is very low, these glucose stores drain down. The keto diet has many benefits, but it may come with some side effects.In this beginner’s guide, you’ll learn all you need to know about ketogenic diets, including how to get started to achieve the best results safely and effectively.However, the only objective way to verify that you’re in ketosis is by checking your ketone levels.FatInclude enough fat to add flavor.An emphasis on foods high in saturated fat also counters recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Heart Association and may have adverse effects on blood LDL cholesterol.The ketogenic diet typically reduces total carbohydrate intake to less than 50 grams a day—less than the amount found in a medium plain bagel—and can be as low as 20 grams a day.The keto diet has many possible benefits including potential weight loss, increased energy and treating chronic illness.Net carbs or impact carbs are the amount of carbohydrate that are directly absorbed by the body and contribute calories.Carbs from all sources are restricted on the keto diet. How to get into ketosis Ketosis is a process that occurs when your body uses fat as its main fuel source. Should you find any inaccuracy in this guide, please email All our evidence-based health guides are written or reviewed by medical doctors who are experts on the topic. You can use this shopping list of low carb foods to guide you. With your plan in hand, shop and restock.Focusing on keto-friendly foods you love, restock your fridge, freezer, and pantry. So, go easy on fat if you’re trying to lose weight. How can you get into ketosis quickly and stay there? However, individuals with diabetes or insulin resistance often respond to low carb eating with improved lipid markers overall, as discussed earlier. However, these side effects are rare and we suspect they may vary with the variety of foods eaten. How many carbs do I need for ketosis? Use this shopping list of low carb foods to guide you. And remember that a “normal” body weight varies depending on the individual. If your weight loss hasn’t budged for several weeks or months, check out our Top 10 tips to break a weight loss stall. After the first couple of weeks, weight loss often slows down quite a bit. Keto diets aren’t harmful to your heart, kidneys, or bones either. The premise of the ketogenic diet for weight loss is that if you deprive the body of glucose—the main source of energy for all cells in the body, which is obtained by eating carbohydrate foods—an alternative fuel called ketones is produced from stored fat (thus, the term “keto”-genic). A ketogenic diet has been shown to provide short-term benefits in some people including weight loss and improvements in total cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure. The protein amount on the ketogenic diet is kept moderate in comparison with other low-carb high-protein diets, because eating too much protein can prevent ketosis. In some cases, elevations in LDL-cholesterol and LDL-particle number have occurred in people who eat keto or low carb diets with less fat and more protein than the classic ketogenic diet.29 What is ketosis? What you can expect from keto, almost without exception, is to eat foods you enjoy, without hunger or calorie-counting. Your weight loss and health improvements may be sudden and dramatic or they may be slow but steady. If you are wondering what kind of results you can expect from a keto diet, the answer depends on how strict you are, along with a number of other factors. Plus, many whole foods like eggs and meat contain plenty of fat. Precautions before starting a keto diet Can I eat a keto diet as a vegetarian or vegan? Should I aim for high ketone levels to speed up weight loss? On a keto diet, carbohydrates are minimized to achieve ketosis. Learn more in our guide, The best way to test ketones in blood, breath, or urine Choose fish, poultry, beans, and nuts; limit red meat and cheese; avoid bacon, cold cuts, and other processed meats. The more veggies — and the greater the variety — the better. Use healthy oils (like olive and canola oil) for cooking, on salad, and at the table. Diets otherwise termed “low carbohydrate” may not include these specific ratios, allowing higher amounts of protein or carbohydrate. Indigestible (unabsorbed) carbohydrates include insoluble fibers from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables; and sugar alcohols, such as mannitol, sorbitol, and xylitol commonly used in sugar-free diabetic food products. A splash of milk or cream in your coffee or tea is OK, but beware that the carbs can add up if you drink multiple cups in a day (and definitely avoid caffe lattes!). Ideally, use no sweeteners, especially sugar. See here for keto-friendly options Counting carbs can be helpful at first. You’ll likely need to stay under 50 grams of net carbs (total carbs minus fiber) per day, ideally below 20 grams. In contrast, the ketogenic diet is distinctive for its exceptionally high-fat content, typically 70% to 80%, though with only a moderate intake of protein. The ketogenic or “keto” diet is a low-carbohydrate, fat-rich eating plan that has been used for centuries to treat specific medical conditions. You typically get glucose in your diet by eating carbohydrates (carbs) such as starches and sugars. The keto diet has many benefits, but it may come with some side effects. Research has shown that ketosis may have several health benefits. Carbs from all sources are restricted on the keto diet. Ketogenic diets may play a strong role in improving several markers of metabolic health, including blood pressure, blood sugar, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.1920 Because carbohydrates raise blood sugar much more than either protein or fat.16 To lower blood sugar — and potentially reverse type 2 diabetes — eat fewer carbs. Another reason may be that keto diets help people naturally eat less, as a result of feeling more satisfied. Here’s what you should avoid on a keto diet – foods containing a lot of carbs, both the sugary and the starchy kind. The fewer carbs you eat, the more effective the diet appears to be for reaching ketosis, losing weight, or improving type 2 diabetes. The exact ratio of fat, carbohydrate, and protein that is needed to achieve health benefits will vary among individuals due to their genetic makeup and body composition. However, these effects after one year when compared with the effects of conventional weight loss diets are not significantly different. Therefore only diets that specified the terms “ketogenic” or “keto,” or followed the macronutrient ratios listed above were included in this list below. The ketones, or ketone bodies, become your body and brain’s main source of energy. As your body breaks down fat, it produces a compound called ketones. However, the diet can produce side effects including “keto” breath and constipation. Why is the keto diet good for you? Healthy individuals naturally experience mild ketosis during periods of fasting (e.g., sleeping overnight) and very strenuous exercise. In this series, we take a look at some popular diets—and review the research behind them. Finding yourself confused by the seemingly endless promotion of weight-loss strategies and diet plans? What are the side effects of ketosis? In fact, more than 35 high-quality scientific studies show that, when compared to other diets, low carb and keto diets lead to greater weight loss.What benefits might you experience by switching to a keto diet?In 1920 it was introduced as an effective treatment for epilepsy in children in whom medication was ineffective.It can help you lose belly fat (visceral fat) while maintaining a lean mass.Typically, carbohydrates in your diet provide most of the fuel your body needs.See here for keto-friendly optionsHowever, this diet is gaining considerable attention as a potential weight-loss strategy due to the low-carb diet craze, which started in the 1970s with the Atkins diet (a very low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet, which was a commercial success and popularized low-carb diets to a new level). The ketogenic diet has been shown to produce beneficial metabolic changes in the short-term. Generally, popular ketogenic resources suggest an average of 70-80% fat from total daily calories, 5-10% carbohydrate, and 10-20% protein. The ketogenic diet typically reduces total carbohydrate intake to less than 50 grams a day—less than the amount found in a medium plain bagel—and can be as low as 20 grams a day. Today, other low-carb diets including the Paleo, South Beach, and Dukan diets are all high in protein but moderate in fat. However, this diet is gaining considerable attention as a potential weight-loss strategy due to the low-carb diet craze, which started in the 1970s with the Atkins diet (a very low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet, which was a commercial success and popularized low-carb diets to a new level). By contrast, women over 40 often lose weight more gradually and may go for a few weeks without losing any weight at all. Keep in mind that a good portion of this is water weight, though. Most people lose about 2 to 4 pounds (1 to 2 kilos) during the first week. Read our full guide to intermittent fasting. Most nuts and some dairy products (cheese and Greek yogurt) are keto-friendly. This guide is written for adults with health issues, including obesity, that could benefit from a ketogenic diet. In this beginner’s guide, you’ll learn all you need to know about ketogenic diets, including how to get started to achieve the best results safely and effectively. A ketogenic diet – or keto diet – is a low carb, high fat diet. Possible nutrient deficiencies may arise if a variety of recommended foods on the ketogenic diet are not included. It usually happens if you’re fasting or following a low-carbohydrate diet. Ketosis and diabetes-related ketoacidosis (DKA) are two very different things. Ketosis has also been shown to increase your focus and energy. It can help you lose belly fat (visceral fat) while maintaining a lean mass. Get instant access to healthy low carb and keto meal plans, fast and easy recipes, weight loss advice from medical experts, and so much more. There are controversies and myths about a keto diet, but for most people, it appears to be very safe. When you eat far fewer carbs, your body begins to burn fat for fuel. Create healthy, balanced meals using this visual guide as a blueprint. A modified carbohydrate diet following the Healthy Eating Plate model may produce adequate health benefits and weight reduction in the general population. A dietitian may also provide guidance on reintroducing carbohydrates once weight loss is achieved. However, it is possible to modify the diet to emphasize foods low in saturated fat such as olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish. An emphasis on foods high in saturated fat also counters recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Heart Association and may have adverse effects on blood LDL cholesterol. For some people, this could mean eating two meals a day (often skipping breakfast). In fact, you don’t necessarily need to be in ketosis to lose weight. However, higher levels don’t appear to be any better than lower levels for weight loss. The ketogenic diet has also been tested and used in closely monitored settings for cancer, diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, and Alzheimer’s disease. In the 19th century, the ketogenic diet was commonly used to help control diabetes. If you’re interested in the health benefits of ketosis, ask your provider if the diet may be right for you. One of the biggest benefits of ketosis may be weight loss. Read more about why keto diets are overwhelmingly safe in our guide, Top 17 keto and low carb controversies. Once you’ve been on a keto diet for a few weeks or more, you will likely feel great and have lots of energy. Have you heard that fat is a free food on a keto diet, or that if you want to lose fat, you should eat more fat? The truth is that eating too much fat prevents your body from using its stored fat for energy. Ketosis is a metabolic state in which your body uses fat and ketones rather than glucose (sugar) as its main fuel source. The numbers are net carbs per 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of food. A healthier life starts now with your free trial! This guide is based on scientific evidence, following our policy for evidence-based guides. Some people on a keto diet choose to also practice intermittent fasting to speed up weight loss or when trying to reverse type 2 diabetes.Diets otherwise termed “low carbohydrate” may not include these specific ratios, allowing higher amounts of protein or carbohydrate.You may be able to get into ketosis faster with intermittent fasting.One of the biggest benefits of ketosis may be weight loss.Most nuts and some dairy products (cheese and Greek yogurt) are keto-friendly.Excess fat can build up in the liver for a number of reasons, including eating more calories than needed.23A dietitian may also provide guidance on reintroducing carbohydrates once weight loss is achieved. The ketogenic (keto) diet changes the way your body uses food. Therefore, your blood has high levels of ketones during ketosis. Since your body doesn’t have enough carbs to burn for energy, it burns fat instead. Ketosis is a metabolic state that occurs when your body burns fat for energy instead of glucose. “Net carbs” and “impact carbs” are familiar phrases in ketogenic diets as well as diabetic diets. Many versions of ketogenic diets exist, but all ban carb-rich foods. There is not one “standard” ketogenic diet with a specific ratio of macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, fat). Here are typical foods to enjoy on a ketogenic diet. In this guide, you’ll learn how to eat a keto diet. It can help the body burn more fat, reduce hunger, and reduce blood sugar levels. On a keto diet, you cut back significantly on carbohydrates, also known as carbs, in order to burn fat for fuel. A keto diet is especially useful for losing excess body fat without hunger, and for improving type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome.2 Get a fresh startImprove your chances for success by using this guide to clean out your fridge, freezer, and pantry.The fewer carbs you eat, the more effective the diet appears to be for reaching ketosis, losing weight, or improving type 2 diabetes.Then, to complete your meal, choose two low carb vegetables and add a healthy source of fat.Once you’ve been on a keto diet for a few weeks or more, you will likely feel great and have lots of energy.You might add in some items you’ve been avoiding because you’ve been counting calories or restricting fat.One way is to start by picking a protein source, such as meat, fish, seafood, eggs, or tofu.You can use this shopping list of low carb foods to guide you.It usually happens if you’re fasting or following a low-carbohydrate diet.So, go easy on fat if you’re trying to lose weight. The amino acids in protein can be converted to glucose, so a ketogenic diet specifies enough protein to preserve lean body mass including muscle, but that will still cause ketosis. The keto diet has many possible benefits including potential weight loss, increased energy and treating chronic illness. The keto diet reduces the number of carbs you eat and teaches your body to burn fat for fuel instead. It is true that some people following ketogenic diets have experienced adverse effects, including kidney stones and vitamin and mineral deficiencies.28 Does eating a keto diet pose any health risks? Fortunately, eating a low carb or keto diet may help reduce liver fat, improve insulin resistance, and potentially even reverse NAFLD.26 But when your glucose level decreases, your insulin level decreases.The guide contains scientific references.If you are wondering what kind of results you can expect from a keto diet, the answer depends on how strict you are, along with a number of other factors.Normally, your body uses blood sugar (glucose) as its key energy source.Read more about our policies and work with evidence-based guides, nutritional controversies, our editorial team, and our medical review board.However, it is possible to modify the diet to emphasize foods low in saturated fat such as olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish.As your body adapts to its new way of getting energy — from fat instead of sugar — symptoms should quickly subside. How will I know whether I’m in ketosis? A ketogenic diet may be an option for some people who have had difficulty losing weight with other methods. Available research on the ketogenic diet for weight loss is still limited. Because whole food groups are excluded, assistance from a registered dietitian may be beneficial in creating a ketogenic diet that minimizes nutrient deficiencies. Some negative side effects of a long-term ketogenic diet have been suggested, including increased risk of kidney stones and osteoporosis, and increased blood levels of uric acid (a risk factor for gout). In addition, though extensive research exists on the use of the ketogenic diet for other medical conditions, only studies that examined ketogenic diets specific to obesity or overweight were included in this list. Recent research suggests a keto or low carb diet may help reduce or even reverse NAFLD.Read moreWhat causes NAFLD? People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin injections no matter what type of diet they eat. Most people need at least 70 grams per day, or 20 to 35% of calories from protein. Check out our full guides to keto drinks and keto alcohol. Then, to complete your meal, choose two low carb vegetables and add a healthy source of fat. Most ketogenic plans allow foods high in saturated fat, such as fatty cuts of meat, processed meats, lard, and butter, as well as sources of unsaturated fats, such as nuts, seeds, avocados, plant oils, and oily fish. How soon ketosis happens and the number of ketone bodies that accumulate in the blood is variable from person to person and depends on factors such as body fat percentage and resting metabolic rate. If this continues for 3-4 days and stored glucose is fully depleted, blood levels of a hormone called insulin decrease, and the body begins to use fat as its primary fuel. These include potential weight loss, increased energy and treating chronic illness. When ketone bodies accumulate in the blood, this is called ketosis.The ketogenic diet has been shown to produce beneficial metabolic changes in the short-term.When you eat far fewer carbs, your body begins to burn fat for fuel.This guide is written by Dr. Andreas Eenfeldt, MD, Dr. Bret Scher, MD and was last updated on June 19, 2025.Read more about why keto diets are overwhelmingly safe in our guide, Top 17 keto and low carb controversies.However, these effects after one year when compared with the effects of conventional weight loss diets are not significantly different.The most common method of intermittent fasting involves eating all of your food within eight hours.Ketogenic diets may play a strong role in improving several markers of metabolic health, including blood pressure, blood sugar, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.1920Generally, popular ketogenic resources suggest an average of 70-80% fat from total daily calories, 5-10% carbohydrate, and 10-20% protein. Should you try the keto diet? If you are breastfeeding, a keto diet may not be right for you at this time. How long can someone be on a keto diet? Many versions of ketogenic diets exist, but all ban carb-rich foods.If this continues for 3-4 days and stored glucose is fully depleted, blood levels of a hormone called insulin decrease, and the body begins to use fat as its primary fuel.With your plan in hand, shop and restock.Focusing on keto-friendly foods you love, restock your fridge, freezer, and pantry.In general, you should discuss any significant diet or lifestyle changes with your doctor.Eat a variety of whole grains (like whole-wheat bread, whole-grain pasta, and brown rice).Choose fish, poultry, beans, and nuts; limit red meat and cheese; avoid bacon, cold cuts, and other processed meats.By contrast, women over 40 often lose weight more gradually and may go for a few weeks without losing any weight at all.However, these side effects are rare and we suspect they may vary with the variety of foods eaten. The keto diet delivers your body’s energy needs in a way that reduces inflammation. The standard keto diet consists of 70% to 80% fats, 10% to 20% proteins and 5% to 10% carbohydrates. The keto diet is high in fat, moderate in protein and low in carbohydrates. Normally, your body uses blood sugar (glucose) as its key energy source. The process can help you feel less hungry, which may lead to eating less food. The most common method of intermittent fasting involves eating all of your food within eight hours. You may be able to get into ketosis faster with intermittent fasting. That’s because your body needs to exhaust its glucose stores first. It may take you a week or longer to get into ketosis. Learn more about ketosis and ketoacidosis. However, ketosis is sometimes confused with another condition called ketoacidosis. For others, this could mean eating once a day, which is often referred to as OMAD, meaning “one meal a day.” Intermittent fasting involves cycling between periods of fasting and eating. Intermittent fasting & keto Read our full guide to intermittent fasting.The ketones, or ketone bodies, become your body and brain’s main source of energy.Weight loss typically slows down as you approach your goal weight.However, the diet can produce side effects including “keto” breath and constipation.More than 300 people have shared their stories of losing weight — and achieving other health improvements — by following a keto lifestyle.Why is the keto diet good for you?How long can someone be on a keto diet?It can be effective for weight loss and certain health conditions, something that’s been demonstrated in many studies.1 You can quickly learn more about the keto diet in this video course. This can put your body into a metabolic state called ketosis. It can be effective for weight loss and certain health conditions, something that’s been demonstrated in many studies.1 A monthly update filled with nutrition news and tips from Harvard experts—all designed to help you eat healthier.Sign up Following a very high-fat diet may be challenging to maintain. One way is to start by picking a protein source, such as meat, fish, seafood, eggs, or tofu. But if you stick to our recommended foods and recipes you can stay keto even without counting. Our visual guides, recipes, meal plans, and simple two-week Get Started program are everything you need to succeed on keto. Eat a variety of whole grains (like whole-wheat bread, whole-grain pasta, and brown rice). You’ll get resources to help you stay on track and meet others who are starting their keto journey. You may be happy to know that bacon, cheese, and many kinds of nuts are keto-friendly. You might add in some items you’ve been avoiding because you’ve been counting calories or restricting fat. Choose foods you currently enjoy. You’ll get keto recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for two weeks. Check out our free 30-day keto meal plan. Meals should always include a protein source. Here’s our leaflet with basic keto advice. Or check out our free keto meal plan. Create a simple plan for the week.A simple plan for keto meals will help keep you on track. If you share a house with someone not joining you on keto, discuss getting rid of the foods that are most likely to tempt you and storing the rest in an out-of-the-way spot. You can use our kitchen clean-out list to help you make sure your kitchen is keto-friendly when you start your diet. Toss or give away the sugary and starchy foods. More than 300 people have shared their stories of losing weight — and achieving other health improvements — by following a keto lifestyle. Also, very low carb diets may potentially have a weight loss edge over diets with more modest carb reduction.13 Science shows keto and low carb diets are often effective for losing weight.9 On a keto diet, about 60 to 75% of your calories come from fat. What can you drink on a ketogenic diet? However, their carbs and calories can add up fast if you eat too much — and these tasty foods are easy to overdo. If your LDL increases after starting a keto or low carb diet, please read our guides on LDL hyper-responders, the potential dangers of LDL cholesterol, and how to lower LDL cholesterol. Excess fat can build up in the liver for a number of reasons, including eating more calories than needed.23 What benefits might you experience by switching to a keto diet? Read more about our policies and work with evidence-based guides, nutritional controversies, our editorial team, and our medical review board. We're fully funded by the people, via an optional membership. Our evidence-based guides are updated at least once per year to reflect and reference the latest science on the topic. The guide contains scientific references. This guide is written by Dr. Andreas Eenfeldt, MD, Dr. Bret Scher, MD and was last updated on June 19, 2025. A keto diet for beginners 2,7 There is also growing interest in the use of low-carbohydrate diets, including the ketogenic diet, for type 2 diabetes. Programs suggest following a ketogenic diet until the desired amount of weight is lost. There is debate even within the ketogenic diet community about the value of using net carbs. All you have to focus on is cooking, eating, and enjoying healthy, delicious food.Get my meal planLearn More Also, avoid or limit highly processed foods and instead fill your diet with our recommended keto-friendly food options. With the right strategy, creating keto meals is easy.