KETO & Low Carb: What’s the Difference?

As we explore the best way to live healthy, lose weight and balance our metabolism, we consider the sometimes subtle distinctions between the plethora of approaches to losing weight and living well. Today, we’ll address the question: What’s the difference between KETO and Low Carb?

The Basic parameters of the Simple Low Carb Diet.

The basic makeup of a traditional Low Carb diet consists of cutting sugars, reducing overall carbs and forcing the body to look at fat for fuel. This is good because we essentially desire to lose fat. So, the breakdown formula of a simple low carb diet is:  

1) Control Calories based on your weight but usually 1200 to 1800 calories. 

2) Keep Carb Intake under 50 grams per day. (Some programs suggest cutting carbs to almost none during induction, then adjust) 

3) Exercise at least moderately (15-30 minutes per day or more).  

4)  Stay Hydrated at all times.

Basically, that’s the gist of it. Many programs contain more and less but if you eat less calories than you burn, control carb intake, exercise and stay hydrated you can lose between 1/2 lb & 1 lb. per day.  Deviate from the parameters and your results may vary.

The Basic parameters of a KETO Diet.

The initial thought here is that Low Carb and KETO are mostly synonymous. Yes, cut sugars, yes reduce overall carbs, yes, burn fat for fuel, etc. The real difference is popularity and marketability. The term KETO is hip, new and trendy. The term “has legs” as marketing people would say meaning that it’s a phrase and a concept that will go far because it, well, “has legs”. The only difference I can see otherwise is that the target carb intake is less. 

 So, the breakdown formula of a Keto diet is:  

1) Control Calories based on your weight but usually 1200 to 1800 calories. 

2) Keep Carb Intake under 20 grams per day. (Some programs suggest cutting carbs to almost none during induction, then adjust) 

3) Exercise at least moderately (15-30 minutes per day or more).  

4)  Stay Hydrated at all times.