It’s no secret that people are obsessed with their weight and the number on the scale.
Countless diets exist in order to help people lose weight, but there are two specific types of diets that are commonly discussed.
These are namely Keto and If It Fits Your Macros (IIFYM.)
Both have their pros and cons, so it can be tricky to decide which one is right for you.
In this post, we’ll break down the benefits and drawbacks of each diet to help you make a decision. Keep reading to find out more!
What Is The Ketogenic Diet?
And so, what is the ketogenic diet? Put simply, it’s a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that forces the body to burn fat for energy rather than glucose.
Keto dieters typically consume 70-80% of their calories from fat, 20-25% from protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates.
This lack of carbohydrates forces the body into a state known as ketosis, where it begins to burn fat for fuel.
While this way of eating has been around for centuries, it has experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years.
Proponents of the keto diet claim that it can help with weight loss, diabetes, and even some more serious health conditions.
However, critics say that the ketogenic diet is too restrictive and difficult to stick to long-term.
So what’s the truth? Is the ketogenic diet a healthy way to lose weight or a fad that’s not worth your time?
There is no easy answer.
The ketogenic diet does have some potential benefits, but it also comes with possible side effects.
Some of the biggest advantages of the ketogenic diet is that it keeps you satiated and you don’t really think about food that much.
However, most people have a rough transition when they cut carbs, resulting in temporary headaches, low energy and flu-like symptoms (known as keto flu.)
Furthermore, perhaps the biggest disadvantage of the keto diet is that it does not provide sufficient carbohydrates for physical performance.
What this means is that if you are training at high levels of intensity, the ketogenic diet might prematurely diminish your performance, due to the lack of muscle glycogen.
Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a shot!
But, if you’re considering going keto, be sure to talk to your doctor first to see if it’s right for you.
What Is IIFYM?
IIIFYM, or “If It Fits Your Macros,” is a dieting strategy that has been gaining popularity in recent years.
The basic premise of IIIFYM is that you can eat whatever you want as long as you hit your daily macronutrient goals.
That means that if you’re trying to lose weight, you can still enjoy your favorite foods as long as you make sure to stay within your calorie limit.
IIIFYM is flexible and customizable, which makes it appealing to many people, unlike the restrictive nature of the ketogenic diet.
However, it’s important to remember that just because you can eat whatever you want doesn’t mean that you should base your diet on ice cream and chips.
Healthy food choices are still important for overall health and wellness. But if you’re looking for a flexible dieting approach, IIIFYM might be right for you.
The biggest advantage of this approach is that it is flexible and doesn’t restrict you of anything – You can eat any food, as long as you are matching your daily needs, in terms of calories and macronutrients.
Which One To Choose?
When it comes to choosing a diet, there are many factors to consider.
Some people prefer to focus on eating whole, unprocessed foods, while others are more concerned with counting macros or following a specific set of dietary guidelines.
Both approaches have proven to be effective for weight loss, but they differ in some key ways.
Generally speaking, the ketogenic diet is for those people who don’t mind eating plenty of animal food, nuts, avocados and other nutrient-dense foods.
This approach can be helpful for those who want to lose weight quickly or who have trouble sticking to other types of diets.
However, keto might be suboptimal for people who have a sweet tooth and love certain carb-rich foods, or those who are highly active in the gym.
The IIFYM diet, on the other hand, is a more flexible approach that allows you to eat whatever you want as long as you stay within your daily macro goals.
This plan can be easier to follow for some people, compared to keto.
Ultimately, choosing between these two diets is a matter of personal preference – pick the one you can stick to in the long run!
Conclusion
So, what’s the verdict? Should you go keto or iifym? The answer is – it depends. If you don’t care about carbs and sweet food, then keto might be your go-to choice.
But if you want more flexibility in your food choices and would rather not worry about tracking every carb gram, then iifym may be a better fit.
Whichever approach you choose, make sure that it fits with your lifestyle and goals so that you can stick with it long-term.
What are your thoughts on the ketogenic diet versus iifym? Let us know in the comments below!
