You’ll find an abundance of varying advice on how to lose weight if you ask Google.
And it’s an undeniable fact that Norwegians, like much of the rest of the Western world, are becoming fatter.
A large percentage of Norway’s adult population is now overweight or obese, increasing the risk of a number of health problems.
So what should we do?
Can lose several kilos the first week
One diet that has received increased attention in recent years is the ketogenic, or keto, diet.
In short, the diet involves dramatically reducing carbohydrate intake.
Foods that contain a lot of carbohydrates are completely off limits. That means zero bread, rice, potato or pasta. Root vegetables are taboo too.
Keto diets vary, but the goal for most of them is to consume less than 50 grams of carbohydrates per day. The diet does not have to involve eating a lot of fat and meat.
You might see adherents of this diet eating fish, avocado, eggs and sour cream for lunch, for example.
Instead of snacking on an apple, nuts or salad fill the bill.
Keto dieters who master their self-discipline can experience something bordering on magic. During the first week you can lose several kilos.
Ketogenic/paleo diet. Boiled eggs, ham, avocado and fresh salad.(Photo: Colourbox)
Challenging hunger pangs
Normally, the body uses the glucose from carbohydrates for energy. In the absence of glucose, a process called ketosis occurs. The body burns fat instead of carbohydrates as its main fuel source. When we don’t eat carbohydrates, the liver breaks down the fat stores to produce energy. This energy also creates molecules called ketones.
“The ketogenic diet can be a good choice for some patients who want to lose weight,” says Catia Martins, a nutrition professor at NTNU.(Photo: Geir Mogen / NTNU)
Another feature of the keto diet is that you don’t feel hungry in the same way as with other diets.
Hunger pangs are hard to deal with when trying to lose weight.
Greater amounts of a hormone called ghrelin are secreted in the stomach when we lose weight. This hormone produces the hunger pangs.
“Everyone has this hormone, but the amount of the hormone increases if…