LIFEstrength Health Center

Chiropractic Care & Functional Medicine located in Naples, FL

The ketogenic diet, also called the keto diet, is popular for weight loss but can also have many benefits for your cognition and overall health. Carolyn Messere, MD, a functional medicine specialist, and the practitioners at LIFEstrength Health Center in Naples, Florida, offer keto diet counseling and resources to help you adopt the diet as a lifestyle. They provide personalized care and support to help you follow the keto diet. Call the office directly or schedule an appointment online today to learn more.

Keto Diet Q & A

What is the Keto(genic) diet?

This nutrition buzz word seems to be everywhere this year! When talking about macronutritients (carbs, fat and protein), a ketogenic diet is low in carbs, moderate protein and high fat content. The high fat part is what really made it “famous” and has been almost counterintuitive to so many other diets out there. Within those macronutrients, there are plenty of details to be aware of, but the keto diet has been great for many of our patients dealing with;

  • Weight loss resistance

  • Diabetes and blood sugar issues

  • Joint pain and inflammation

  • Fatigue and energy problems

  • Mood imbalances like anxiety and depression

  • Irregular hormones

  • Neurological troubles like insomnia, dementia and Autism

More details of the Ketogenic diet

A great place to start for macronutrient levels is an example below;

  • High fat content - 70-80%

  • Low carb - 5-10%

  • Moderate Protein - 15-30%

Since everyone is so different, we recommend journaling your meals and water intake while also including energy levels, brain fog, quality of sleep and your bowel movements. From that you’ll be able to develop patterns that are best suited to your individual needs

What foods should I eat? What should I avoid?

Healthy fats include;

  • Avocados and guacamole

  • Raw nuts and seeds that have been rinsed or soaked

  • Organic and cold pressed olive, coconut or avocado oil

  • Organic and raw butter and dairy products

  • Olives

Healthy proteins include;

  • Organic and 100% grass-fed beef

  • Organic and pastured chicken and eggs

  • Wild caught fish - although it’s tough to recommend more than 1 serving a week

Carbs to avoid include;

  • Bread - instead try sprouted bread or using a lettuce wrap.

  • Pasta - instead try bean noodles, spaghetti squash or spiraled zucchini.

  • Rice - instead try cauliflower rice, quinoa, teff or other grains that have a lower glycemic index.

  • Fruit - avoid high sugar fruits like pineapple and mangoes and go for Granny Smith apples or organic berries.

Is Keto the best nutrition plan for me?

While the ketogenic diet is getting A LOT of attention these days, it is certainly not the best or the only nutrition for everyone. Our doctors are trained on many diets and nutritional plans, but more importantly, are trained on finding the correct plan for each individual;

  • Intermittent Fasting

  • Fasting Mimicking Diet - ProLon

  • Paleo

  • Vegan and vegetarian

  • SCD - Specific Carb Diet

  • Gluten-Free

  • Elimination Diet

  • GAPS Diet

  • FODMAPS

Put an end to your confusion! Reach out to LIFEstrength Health Center by calling the office at 239-774-5433 or scheduling an appointment through email at Staff@LIFEstrengthHealthCenter.com.