Is Keto Good for Teens?

August 13, 2022
Is Keto Good for Teens?

The truth

Whether you are a parent or an adolescent, it is never easy when you have to make a big decision like changing your diet.

If you’re a parent looking to get your teen interested in healthy living and away from things like fast food chains and packaged snacks, then you might find the keto diet interesting.

Many people think that keto is only good for adults. However, there are some benefits of the keto eating plan that apply even to teens.

So is keto good for teens? Read on to find out more.

What is the Ketogenic Diet?

The ketogenic diet is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet that allows people to eat unlimited amounts of protein, fat, and vegetables. 

The ketogenic diet has been used throughout history by individuals looking to lose weight or by parents looking to treat their children with epilepsy. The diet was re-popularized in the 1920s and 1930s by Dr. Atkins and his son Robert Atkins.

The ketogenic diet is high in protein and fat, but very low in carbohydrates, which causes your body to go into ketosis. In ketosis, your body starts to use its own fat for fuel.

Photo by CA Creative on Unsplash

Advantages of Keto for Teens

There are many advantages of the keto diet for teens on keto. The biggest advantages are weight loss, increased energy levels, improved digestive health, & decreased anxiety.

  • Weight Loss: Since on keto you eat so few carbs, your body’s insulin goes down. This causes your body to go into ketosis, a state where your body can burn its own fat for fuel. This helps tremendously with weight loss. *I lost 40 pounds on the keto diet, & it was much easier compared to normal calorie restriction.*
  • Increased Energy Levels: On keto, you’ll be using your fat for fuel, so your energy levels will be more consistent. Contrast that with carbs where your energy comes & goes in “energy” swings.
  • Improved Digestive Health: On the keto diet, you’ll be eating much fewer sugars & carbs, so the bad bacteria in your gut that eat sugars will die off. If you make sure to eat a lot of vegetables, your gut will grow new, helpful bacteria & your overall digestive health will increase.
  • Decreased Anxiety — Keto is also a great diet for teens who have social anxiety. It is not uncommon for teens to feel anxious when in social situations, especially when they are with new people. The keto diet has been shown to provide benefits for those who struggle with social anxiety, including improvements in mood and a decrease in feelings of anxiousness and discomfort.

Disadvantages of Keto for Teens

Keto diets possibly can be disadvantageous for teens because it lowers the number of carbohydrates, which may result in nutritional deficiencies. To stop this from happening, teens on keto must make sure to get their nutrients through vegetables — around 6 cups per day.

  • May Increase Risk of Nutrient Deficiencies: Because keto removes carbs, teens may be at risk for nutritional deficiencies. To make sure you still get all of your nutrients on a keto diet, you must eat around 6 cups of vegetables per day.
  • May Increase Risk of Heart Disease: Since a keto diet is high in fat, many people consider it to be a possible cause of heart disease. However, the research is conflicting on the long-term effects of a keto diet on heart disease, so we don’t know for sure yet.
  • Difficulty Sticking to Keto: Though keto gives a lot of benefits to people, it’s hard to stick to in the beginning. If you want to take things slow & make sure you stick to keto, here’s my article on how to start “Lazy Keto.”

The diet may also result in significant weight loss. This can be beneficial for some teens who are at risk of becoming obese, but it may also negatively affect others who may be at risk of developing disordered eating habits due to feeling self-conscious.

Photo by amirali mirhashemian on Unsplash

Is Keto Good for Teens?

Yes, the keto diet is good for teens. The biggest risk with keto for teens is that it may cause a nutritional deficiency. However, if you make sure to eat around 6 cups of vegetables per day, you’ll cover your nutrient deficiencies.

The keto diet is certainly something to consider in your efforts to help your teen, or if you’re a teen, make the transition to a healthier lifestyle.

Conclusion

The keto diet is high in protein and fat, but it is also very low in carbohydrates. This would be especially beneficial for teens who have issues with overeating or eating too many carbohydrate-rich foods. However, it may be detrimental to teens who are underfed because they might start losing too much weight. If you are a parent looking to get your teen interested in healthy living, then the keto diet might be a great option.

Are you not sure if keto stunts growth in teens? In this article I go in depth on the topic & answer the question.

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