Tuesday, May 21, 2024

The Difference Between Keto and Paleo Diets




The keto (ketogenic) and paleo (paleolithic) diets are both popular low-carb diets, but they have distinct principles, goals, and food guidelines.


1. Principle:
   - The keto diet is focused on drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and increasing fat consumption to put the body into a state of ketosis, where it burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates.

2. Macronutrient Breakdown:
   - Typically consists of 70-75% fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% carbohydrates.

3. Allowed Foods:
   - High-fat foods such as oils, butter, nuts, seeds, avocados.
   - Moderate protein sources like meat, fish, and eggs.
   - Low-carb vegetables such as leafy greens, broccoli, and cauliflower.
   - Dairy products like cheese, cream, and unsweetened yogurt (in moderation).
   - Limited fruits, mainly berries.

4. Restricted Foods:
   - High-carb foods such as grains, legumes, sugar, most fruits, and starchy vegetables.
   - Processed foods and sugary beverages.

5. Health Focus:
   - Primarily aimed at weight loss, improved blood sugar control, and potential benefits for certain neurological conditions.


1. Principle:
   - The paleo diet is based on eating foods that were presumably available to humans during the Paleolithic era. It emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods and excludes those that became common with the advent of agriculture.

2. Macronutrient Breakdown:
   - Not specifically defined, but generally high in protein and fat, and moderate to low in carbohydrates.

3. Allowed Foods:
   - Meat, fish, eggs.
   - Vegetables and fruits.
   - Nuts and seeds.
   - Healthy fats from avocados, olive oil, coconut oil.
   - Some natural sweeteners like honey and maple syrup (in moderation).

4. Restricted Foods:
   - Grains (wheat, oats, barley, etc.).
   - Legumes (beans, lentils, peanuts, etc.).
   - Dairy products.
   - Processed foods, refined sugars, and artificial additives.

5. Health Focus:
   - Aimed at improving overall health, supporting digestion, reducing inflammation, and promoting a more natural way of eating.

Key Differences

1. Carbohydrate Restriction:
   - Keto: Strictly limits carbs to a very low level to induce ketosis.
   - Paleo: Allows for more carbs, especially from fruits and non-starchy vegetables.

2. Dairy:
   - Keto: Includes dairy, especially high-fat options.
   - Paleo: Excludes dairy entirely.

3. Legumes and Grains:
   - Keto: Avoids them due to their carb content.
   - Paleo: Avoids them due to the belief they were not part of early human diets.

4. Sweeteners:
   - Keto: Allows for artificial and low-carb sweeteners like stevia or erythritol.
   - Paleo: Only allows natural sweeteners like honey and maple syrup, and in moderation.

5. Philosophy:
   - Keto: Primarily a metabolic diet focused on achieving and maintaining ketosis.
   - Paleo: A lifestyle diet based on historical eating patterns aiming for overall health improvement.

Each diet has its unique benefits and limitations, and the choice between them depends on individual health goals, preferences, and how one's body responds to each dietary pattern.

COPYRIGHT 2007-2024 Patti Friday b.1959.

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