“It makes other food, especially vegetables, taste delicious,” says Palinski-Wade. Raw broccoli? Salad with fat-free dressing? Meh. But broccoli sautéed with garlic and olive oil, salad drizzled with homemade vinaigrette — now we’re talking. “There are so many micronutrients in veggies with potential to help reduce belly fat — but they won’t work if you don’t eat them. I really think that’s a huge reason diets rich in olive oil have been shown to take off more weight,” says the pro. “Olive oil leads to greater vegetable consumption!”
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself parched while you’re on the keto diet. Excreting all that extra water will likely cause a spike in thirst—so make it a point to drink up, Mancinelli advises. There’s no hard and fast recommendation for how much water you should be having on a keto diet. But in general, aim to drink enough so your urine is clear or pale yellow. If it’s any darker, bump your intake.
Samantha is not alone. Many women find in the years leading up to and after their final menstrual period that along with other symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and sleep problems, their abdomens thicken and their weight increases. Some 40 million women in the US, 13 million in the UK, and many more millions around the world are estimated to be going through menopause, which usually occurs between age 49 and 52.
Olive oil does not burn fat. It has no chemical properties that will magically dissolve the calories in that tiramisu you had for dessert. Taking a spoonful of olive oil before a meal, as some fad diets suggest, simply acts as a laxative, which plays to the mistaken belief that the faster food moves through you, the fewer calories your body will absorb. It simply doesn’t work that way. Losing weight means taking in fewer calories than you burn, no matter how many of them come from olive oil.

Take calorie deficit breaks. If nothing else seems to work, then try taking intermittent diet breaks every two weeks or so. Recent research found that obese men who took 2 week breaks from being in a caloric deficit lost more fat than the men who maintained a calorie deficit. This means that keto dieters may benefit from taking intermittent calorie deficit breaks as well. To implement a diet break, simply follow the ketogenic diet for two weeks while you maintain a calorie deficit. After those two weeks, calculate what you need to eat to maintain your bodyweight, aim to eat that many calories, and repeat — recalculating your calorie deficit after each calorie maintenance phase. Researchers hypothesize that this method of dieting helps keep your metabolism from slowing down, allowing you to burn more calories while you are in a calorie deficit.


Remove artificial sweeteners: If you have been including artificial sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose in your low-carb or keto diet, our experts recommend you wean yourself off them. “While there are not a whole lot of scientific studies, anecdotally we find when people get rid of artificial sweeetners, they were able to lose weight. Come off them as soon as you can,” advises Dr. Westman.


Hi, really encouraging post. I'm considering the Keto diet among others, but I think I need more help and direction. I'm trying to see if I can get any good feedback on some diet programs that I've come across. One that looks possibly promising is the Easy3WeekDiet.com. Does anyone have any experience with or suggestions for this? Thanks for any help.
Dr. Westman never brings up exercise as a first step in weight loss. He wants patients to focus on the diet first. “But later on, if things are no longer working well and there is still significant weight to lose, I bring up the E-word, exercise. But I try to get them back to things that are fun for them. Exercise will help you get through a plateau.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, even modest weight loss — anywhere from 5 to 10 percent of your body weight — can provide huge health benefits including improvements in blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and blood pressure. Furthermore, a study in the National Weight Control Registry cited that participants who maintained significant weight loss reported increased “energy levels, physical mobility, general mood, and self-confidence.” In other words, losing weight on the keto diet won’t just help you look better, it will be better for your overall health, energy, mood, and confidence. Keeping all of this in mind will help you stay motivated on your ketogenic journey.
Looking for that quick burst of energy? MCTs are an especially beneficial supplement for fueling physical exertion, given their high energy density content, rapid rate of absorption and quick metabolic conversion into cellular energy. Additionally, MCTs can be quickly mobilized in the post-exercise recovery phase to rebuild muscles and prevent the breakdown of protein that can occur when the body is putting a maximum demand on the body’s energy reserves.
"Listening to podcasts while I run has completely changed my fitness routine. I thought I hated running, but what I hated was pop music. Keeping my mind engaged has helped me push passed physical barriers. Podcasts about keto, fitness, and nutrition is motivating to me to learn about my body while I’m actively working it. My favorite podcasts are Keto for Normies, The Keto Savage podcast, Seth Godin's podcast and Hiding in the Bathroom."
Concentrated MCT oils are often derived from “a blend of coconut and palm oils.” I personally always look for MCT oils sourced only from coconut oil  or sustainable and rainforest friendly palm oil because the palm oil industry is responsible for the deforestation for large parts of the rainforest. Thousands of acres of rainforest are being destroyed to make room for palm production. This has also driven many animals out of their natural habitats and greatly threatens species like the orangutan and Sumatran tiger, which are both in danger of extinction.
The go-to protein in the Mediterranean diet is fish. In particular, this diet emphasizes fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel. These fish are rich in heart- and brain-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Even those fish that are leaner and have less fat (like cod or tilapia) are still worth it, as they provide a good source of protein. If you currently don't get a lot of fish in your diet, an easy point of entry is to designate one day each week as "fish" night. Cooking fish in parchment paper or foil packets is one no-fuss, no-mess way to put dinner on the table. Or try incorporating it in some of your favorite foods, like tacos, stir-frys, and soups.

Dr. Hallberg notes that vigorous exercise can sometimes create a false weight plateau. “If you are exercising to the point of getting sore, you are tearing muscle — which is a good thing, that is how we build muscle, by micro-tears.” But in order to deal with that, the body sets off a small inflammatory response, which causes people to retain fluid. “So after a vigorous workout you can jump up a few pounds overnight. It is not a real plateau, it is a pseudo plateau.”

​It was my first time ever thinking I could control my destiny and map out my future. I wrote down what I wanted my life to look like in five years. I called it my Lifestyle Rehabilitation Statement and I have read it every morning and night for five years. Having a plan took the stress out of my life and instead of random action, I took purposeful action. I started with subtle nutritional shifts and got under 300 pounds.

The capric acid in XCT Oil doesn’t break down into ketones as quickly as pure caprylic, but capric acid is more affordable (but still works) so you can save money by going with the XCT.  XCT Oil still goes to brain energy, just not as quickly as Brain Octane. Both can be used for energy without processing by the liver, unlike many other fats and oils.

Outside of Reddit, I have never seen what I would call a great write up on keto. Following one of these purchased plans, with lots of expensive supplements, is not only unnecessary but usually contains lots of bad advice. I can't even begin to imagine why you would be told that Granny Smith apples, which come in at around 12 net carbs per cup, are ok but brussel sprouts (~3.5g net carbs per cup) or carrots (11g net carbs per cup grated) are not. Doesn't even make sense. A spoon of peanut butter kick you out of keto? ~4-6g net carbs per 2T! The keto diet is not hard and it is very sustainable as a way of eating permanently. Part of America's problem with weight is that they think everything needs to be handed to them in a bottle or package, with no work or thinking involved. Keep your daily intake of net carbs very low (less than 30 is probably best) and get your carbs from healthy natural foods before you reach for prepackaged food. Moderate protein. Eating tons of fat is not a requirement. Keto is called high fat because in terms of percentages, you are getting the most calories from fat. If you eat moderate protein and very low carb, you need to get the rest of your calories from somewhere. I'm a 40 year old female and lost 100+ lbs eating keto with no purchased plan and no bs supplements. I still eat that way 4 years later. I have arthritis but I run, I lift weights, I ride horses, I ride bikes, I live a very healthy, active lifestyle since losing the weight and finding keto. I have tried to go back on a standard American diet and immediately lose my motivation and energy, my body feels awful. The benefits of keto go far beyond weight loss. The hardest part about eating keto is social because so many people think it's so hard and there are so many misconceptions. It is completely sustainable as an individual.
Welcome to Keto! I cannot say enough good things about it! Your starting macros really depend on a few factors: current weight, height, approximate body fat, activity level, age, and gender. Its also important to figure out your BMR and daily calorie allotment. Each person is different; there is no way I could eat 150 grams of fat and get in a good amount of protein while remaining under my calorie limit for the day (1300). It is recommended that you re-calculate these numbers if your activity level or weight changes. Every 15 lbs I lose I take a look at my Macros. Here is the calculator my keto community and I use: https://keto-calculator.ankerl.com/
What is even more surprising is that the monounsaturated-fat-rich diet and saturated-fat-rich diet were equally damaging. “The monkeys fed monounsaturated fat developed equivalent amounts of coronary artery atherosclerosis as those fed saturated fat,” wrote Dr. Lawrence Rudel and colleagues at Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University in Winston–Salem, North Carolina.

In fact, in a recent study, Dr. Borge Nordestgaard at the University of Copenhagen demonstrated just how dangerous cholesterol remnants like chylomicrons can be. He and colleagues followed nearly 12,000 people in Denmark who had established coronary heart disease, diagnosed between 1976 and 2010. The scientists found that each 1 mmol (38.7mg/dl) increase in nonfasting remnant cholesterol caused a nearly 3-fold greater risk of a coronary heart disease event. (10)
This is the ultimate “trimmifying” oil, with 100% Medium Chain Triglycerides that boost your metabolism life rocket fuel. MCT Oil has become the delicious and multi-talented dietary BFF of Trim Healthy Mamas all over the globe. Its succulent silky texture and neutral taste make it perfect to whip into your morning coffees that we call “Trimmies” and to drizzle over large leafy salads topped with protein. It delivers a very fatty mouth feel but provides the fewest calories of any oil!

1. Healthy Grains: Whether enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, whole, healthy grains are full of fiber, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties. A 2015 study in JAMA Internal Medicine linked whole grains and lower mortality, especially from chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes. Common whole grains include brown rice and oats, while ancient grains such as quinoa, amaranth, farro, buckwheat, and bulgur pack the added perk of being gluten-free.

One of the diets that implement these principles is the low-carb ketogenic diet. It primarily consists of highly-satiating foods like meat and low-carb vegetables while cutting out all carb-ridden, highly-palatable foods. By eating in this way, most people experience tremendous amounts of fat loss — not because it lowers insulin levels, but because keto dieters tend to eat significantly fewer calories than high-carb dieters without realizing it.
Fact: The food is a huge part of the diet, yes, but don’t overlook the other ways the Mediterraneans live their lives. When they sit down for a meal, they don’t sit in front of a television or eat in a rush; they sit down for a relaxed, leisurely meal with others, which may be just as important for your health as what’s on your plate. Mediterraneans also enjoy plenty of physical activity.
Try stress reduction techniques: Examine the stresses in your life and see if you can do anything to alleviate any of them. Stress increases cortisol release. But don’t stress about stress — that is no win. Many women during menopause find they are caught in the sandwich of still dependent children but aging or ill parents. Death of loved ones and loss are common during the menopausal years.

As the tide began to turn in the early 2000s and the claims for low-fat diets grew more dubious, new dietary culprits were called into question, such as refined carbohydrates and gluten. Meanwhile, more research emerged exploring the benefits of diets rich in healthy fats. These days, Flynn is noted for seemingly having known before others that low-fat diets were not optimal for health. “I constantly hear from people now ‘How did you know low-fat diets were unhealthy?’ ” She laughs this off remarking that she would simply always read the references supporting dietary guidelines and was a critical reviewer of the evidence. “I constantly tell my students to not take dietary guidelines at face value; look into the evidence.”

So while some marketers of MCT oil might claim that their products contain more concentrated and diverse MCTs than real coconut oil does, it might be because they’re chemically altered. It could even have “filler” oils like omega-6 polyunsaturated fats. Another factor to consider is that most MCT oils on the market are manufactured via chemical/solvent refining, which can mean they require using chemicals like hexane and different enzymes and combustion chemicals.
You can get abundant lauric acid by just eating a tablespoon or two of coconut oil; there is no benefit to refining it and buying it separately when it’s so common in plain coconut oil. If you use cheap lauric acid to cut the potency of true biological MCT oil, you’re making it so weak that you’re not going to feel the energy effects that come from the much more powerful C8 or C10 MCTs found in XCT or Brain Octane.
What are the health benefits of olive oil? Olive oil plays a big part of the Mediterranean diet, and people now eat it worldwide. It is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, which are considered healthy fats. In this article, we go into detail about the many ways oil olive may be healthy for people, including reducing breast cancer risk and preventing strokes. Read now
In just about every study purporting to show that people or animals lowered their LDL bad cholesterol levels after starting to use olive oil, the subjects used olive oil in place of other dietary fats, often saturated fats like butter, coconut oil, or lard. Well, of course LDL cholesterol is going to be lower when olive oil replaces butter. The total amount of saturated fat and/or cholesterol in the diet takes a tumble when butter is removed.
HDL cholesterol has long been considered “good” because it is largely responsible for picking up excess cholesterol from tissues, including the artery wall, and bringing it back to the liver for disposal. This process is known as reverse cholesterol transport. It’s easy to remember if you think of HDL as the garbage trucks that help rid the body of garbage (LDL).

If the idea of overhauling your entire way of shopping and eating seems daunting, start small. Wiping the slate entirely clean may not be necessary. Instead, take steps toward eating more in the Mediterranean-style. Choose one of these strategies below, and make it a habit. When you're ready, move onto the next strategy. No matter where you choose to start, these seven tips for starting a Mediterranean diet can help you makeover your plate so you can reap the benefits.
That first drop might be mostly water weight. But research suggests that the keto diet is good for fat loss, too. An Italian study of nearly 20,000 obese adults found that participants who ate keto lost around 12 pounds in 25 days. However, there aren’t many studies looking at whether the pounds will stay off long-term, researchers note. Most people find it tough to stick with such a strict eating plan, and if you veer off your diet, the pounds can easily pile back on.
Are you tracking your calorie intake? Healthy fats also have higher calories and can put you at or over your bodies calorie requirement. Calculate the calories that you have been eating over the past while and then check how many calories you should actually be taking in. If you want to lose weight you have to be in calorie deficit regardless of whether you are in ketosis or not.
Nine months ago she decided to try the stricter keto diet and followed our advice to help support this way of eating. By testing her urine with keto stix she could see she was expelling ketones in the low to moderate range. But still her weight was increasing — she gained a total of 7 lbs (3 kg) over nine months of keto eating. And her clothes were feeling tight and uncomfortable. What was she doing wrong?
But much has changed on Crete – and throughout the Mediterranean – since then. Today, the people of Crete still eat a lot of olive oil, but their intake of whole, natural foods has gone way down, as has their physical activity. The island’s new staples are meat, cheese, TV, and the Internet. Today, more than 60% of Crete’s adult population – and an alarming 50% of its children – are overweight.
In this phase, you may continue to lose 1-2 pounds per week, or it could slow down. If your weight loss slows down, that’s okay! Remember, as you lose weight, your metabolism will slow down a little as well. Your caloric needs will also lower, which means you’ll have to eat less to maintain your deficit. Stick with it. The CDC suggests that people who lose weight gradually and steadily at a rate of 1 to 2 pounds per week are more successful at keeping that weight off.
History, culture, tradition and science: the secrets of olive oil, the most important contributing dietary factor for better health and longevity of the Mediterranean diet. You will find everything inside this enjoyable book, which will surpass all expectations.―Professor Francesco Sofi, Professor of Food Science and Clinical Nutrition, University of Florence
