What is the ketogenic diet characterized by?

The ketogenic diet is specifically characterized by a high-fat, low-carbohydrate composition. This dietary approach aims to shift the body's metabolism away from carbohydrates and towards fats for energy, which leads to a metabolic state known as ketosis. In ketosis, the liver converts fatty acids into ketones, which then serve as a primary energy source for the body, including the brain.

This diet is distinct in its restrictions, typically limiting carbohydrate intake to about 20-50 grams per day, which is significantly lower than standard dietary guidelines. As a result, the body is deprived of its usual carbohydrate stores, prompting it to burn fat for energy. This fundamental principle makes the ketogenic diet different from others, such as high-protein diets that emphasize muscle building or balanced diets focusing on equal macronutrient distribution.

Other dietary approaches prioritize a balanced intake of macronutrients or emphasize whole foods without drastically reducing carbohydrate intake, which is not the case for the ketogenic diet. The deliberate reduction of carbs and increase in fats are what allow the body to achieve and maintain ketosis, making this the defining characteristic of the ketogenic diet.