Many people are curious about the keto diet and how keto and running work together. Basically, the keto diet is a way of eating high-fat, protein and low carb diet. It helps your body break down your macronutrients, which are carbs, protein and fat intake.
Your body will only consume 80 percent of fat and protein and almost zero intake from carbs. The foods to include for the keto diet are fish, meat, eggs, dairy, oils, and veggies. As for carbs, it is basically off-limits for you. It’s totally the opposite from a plant-based diet.
Now, you must be wondering, “Will it affect my running performance if I adopt the keto diet?” We spoke to three trained keto runners to share their experiences on how the Keto diet helps to improve their running performances.
1. Avi Charlton
Bio: Australian, 45-years old, Doctor, General Practitioner
Runner: Avi Charlton
Avi got into running 6 years ago to lose weight, get fit, and slowly, it became a hobby, an obsession and a social outlet.
Originally, she joined the gym to lose weight. After going to the gym three times a week for three months, she had not lost any weight. She took up running with a c25k run app and started park run.
After that, she lost 4kg and became addicted to running. Now, she runs four times a week and goes to the gym two times a week.
RS: How and why did you decide to become a Keto?
Avi: The gym that I go to had a body transformation competition. I signed up and was told what to eat. I started eating a low carb diet, following the gym instructor’s advice.
After that, I attended a low carb conference for doctors. The more I learnt, the more I read about the science, the more I learnt about the benefits of eating this way.
I learnt that carbohydrates turn into sugar when eaten. Excess carbs turn into fat by the hormone insulin and are stored as body fat.
High insulin causes weight gain and eventually insulin resistance, such as diabetes. I also learnt about endurance training from eating low carb or keto with being fat adapted.
This helps burn fat as fuel and ultimately not needing to constantly fuel with sugar gels. It is also a better…