What to Do When the Ketogenic Diet Fails

It can be very frustrating to see so many people having wonderful results from the ketogenic diet. People are losing weight with it and others are preventing seizures. So, why doesn’t it seem to be working for you?

You may have followed the correct macronutrient intake. Ensured that you were eating 75% fat and 20% protein and only 5% carbs. But you still ended up having a seizure. Or you haven’t lost a pound after six weeks on the diet.

There are a few things that can sidetrack your results. These are often overlooked and not emphasized by the major dieting books and ketogenic gurus.

Common Ketogenic Diet Fails

  • Your macronutrients are off. This is a common mistake that people make on the ketogenic diet that can throw off your results. It could be that you are calculating your macronutrients with net carbohydrates instead of total carbohydrates. However, not everyone can tolerate the additional fiber if their gut microbiome is disturbed. This could be the reason that you aren’t seeing results.
  • You are eating too many fruits and vegetables. Most people assume that fruits and veggies are good for you. However, for people who have autoimmune conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, fruits and veggies can irritate the gut lining. Fruits and vegetables can have more carbohydrates than you think. The carbohydrates in fruits and vegetables add up quickly. Serving sizes of fruits are smaller than you think. This can slow down your weight loss.
  • The transition phase depleted your minerals. When you adapt to the ketogenic diet, often your body will go through a transition period where you may feel worse. Your body holds on to the fat until it needs to release it. When your body uses up the fat for energy and lets go of the water weight, it can leave you depleted of the necessary minerals. This is why so many people in ketogenic diet groups talk about making sure that they are drinking enough electrolytes. When the body releases excess water, often the minerals get flushed out as well.
  • Magnesium deficiency. The root cause of your seizures or excess weight may be due to a magnesium deficiency. Our soils have become very depleted in magnesium. However, magnesium is an essential mineral that is necessary for many body processes. Magnesium deficiency can cause problems such as cramps and seizures. A magnesium deficiency can also be the cause of insulin resistance, which can lead to weight gain.

If you have been struggling to get results with the ketogenic diet, re-examine your macronutrient levels. You may also want to evaluate the amount of vegetables and fruits that you are consuming. Ensure that you are taking in enough minerals and start taking a magnesium supplement. These steps can help to improve your results on the ketogenic diet.

The ketogenic diet can be a wonderful diet for releasing weight and controlling seizures. The ketogenic diet also helps to decrease inflammation in the body. However, if you don’t have enough minerals or magnesium, you definitely won’t see the results you want.