Should I start this diet or wait

keto
newbies
(Mason) #1

I am a 16-year-old female that wants to start the keto diet and I know most of the basics like Ketoade and everything but I was just wondering I do athletics for about an hour plus have a two hour practice after school should I do this diet at the moment or should I wait until the summer is it going to affect my performance level even if I drink ketoade

#2

Athletic performance can indeed suffer during the adaption period & as you are only 16 years of age I see no reason why you couldn’t wait a little while to start :slightly_smiling_face: You could spend the next few months more thoroughly researching keto so when you do decide to give it a go you will be very well prepared.

(squirrel-kissing paper tamer) #3

You don’t have to go “full on keto” to get some great benefits. Even just cutting down on sugar, soda or passing up the piece of bread at dinnertime is a great start and depending on what your diet is like now might make a big difference. In your case maybe slow is the way to go so you can continue to perform and feel keep up the endurance you’re used to. Then in the summer you can experiment with it.

(charlie3) #4

Start with eat real food and no snacks. Carb counting later will be easier if you can already do these.

(Sheri Knauer) #5

I agree. You don’t need to go full on keto just yet but you can benefit greatly by eliminating processed foods, added sugar, and switch from using seed oils (canola, sunflower, soybean) to using olive oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil. Once summer comes along, then you can start lowering carbs. As someone mentioned, research keto now so you can have a good idea of how you want to approach it and how you can find your own personal carb threshold. The fat adaptation period can have a negative effect on your performance in the first month or 2 but then…it will not. Good luck!

#6

Yes, what @PetaMarie said! Teenagers (or anyone) don’t necessarily have to literally aim for ketosis. Just cutting out sugar and refined carbs is a good idea for any human being no matter what their athletics are. None of us were created to consume the amount of those things that we do.

(Scott) #7

I didn’t say what sport(s) you are playing. I am a runner but not competitive. I could tell I had limited energy for about three months but then my energy came back. I am 57 so your results at 16 may be different. I would start by cutting back on some carbs bit by bit over a couple of weeks. I started by eliminating bread at breakfast first followed later by bread at lunch. I really never got full on keto flu but did feel off a couple of days. You can try it and always stop if it is stressing you or just postpone till summer break. Warning! as a teenager should be aware that this will mean an end to french fries and pizza. I think those were two major food groups back in the day. Good luck!

(In Rochester NY USA, lovin life) #8

If you do start keto, my suggestion would be not exert yourself too much during the first few weeks, I know it wiped me out and put me on the couch for a couple days.

(less is more, more or less) #9

I agree with @PetaMarie and @anon54735292. My 18-year-old daughter, who is active, does a far less carb-restrictive diet from her crusty dad and has lost 50 pounds. Her “Freshman 15” is a “Freshman 50” but in the right direction. She strives to keep her total carbs below 120 a day. She’ll have a pizza, cookie or cake, but she won’t eat as she used to. She has also maintained, if not enhanced, her energy level.

The thing is, even on a less-restrictive carb diet, you stop eating so much garbage you shouldn’t be eating, anyhow. My wager is that your insulin can better manage carbs than those in we old folk.

In a way, I’m envious. You can start, today, just don’t go below 20 grams of total carbs. When you do eat carbs, go to the vegetable carbs, and avoid the processed garbage, like potato chips. Again if you’re doing your kid thing, and eat some, wring your hands and simply move on. There’s always tomorrow.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #10

Yes. There is a six- to eight-week adaptation period, during which your endurance will suffer. This is becuase your muscles have been in glucose-burning mode for so long that they need to re-configure themselves to burn fatty acids instead. It’s an adjustment that takes time.

Ketoaide will prevent symptoms of the keto “flu,” which is really just lack of sodium. If you keep up your sodium intake, which is part of what ketoaide is for, you don’t need to experience the keto “flu.”

P.S.–Whenever you do start keto, be sure to ignore the protein guidelines until your growth spurt is over. You need plenty of protein for your muscles and bones to grow.