Have you been trying to lose weight, but haven’t found the right diet or workout plan? You’ve likely come across the ketogenic (keto) diet or the liquid keto diet. This diet has become quite popular in recent years due to the high success rate the diet followers have experienced typically involves solid foods, but what is a keto-liquid diet?
Well, it’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like. It follows the requirements of a traditional keto diet, but only involves liquids. With summer just around the corner many of us are feeling more motivated than ever to drop a few pounds and the liquid keto diet is the perfect way to do that in a short amount of time.
So, what is keto and what does a liquid keto diet look like? What are the pros and cons of a liquid keto diet? We’re going to go over each of these questions as well as the 5 best liquid keto shakes that we recommend helping you lose weight.
What is Keto?
The keto diet, often recommended by online weight loss coaches, is a method that consists of very little carbohydrates (carbs) and a higher-than-average amount of fat. The idea behind this is to put your body in a state of ketosis which forces it to burn fat instead of carbs for energy thus, causing a greater fat loss in the body. It also helps to reduce blood sugar and lower insulin levels which many of us these days could benefit from.
In addition to helping with weight loss, the keto diet can also help to lower the risk for some diseases like type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and even Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, it was originally designed to help in the treatment of childhood epilepsy.
There are a few different types of keto diets that have evolved from the original method. They consist of the following:
- Standard Keto Diet
- High Protein Keto Diet
- Targeted Keto Diet
- Cyclical Keto Diet
It’s important to note that only the standard and high-protein keto diets have extensive clinical research behind them. Both the targeted and the cyclical keto diets are mostly used by pro athletes as they are much more advanced methods.
What is Liquid Keto?
For those who cannot take solid foods due to various medical conditions or even those who enjoy the convenience of a smoothie on the go, there exist liquid diets. Combine this with the keto diet and you’ll have a liquid keto diet that can help you lose weight.
When following this diet, it’s important to ensure that the foods you consume are not just liquid, but also follow the keto diet’s macronutrient requirements. This roughly consists of 70-80% fat, 10-20% protein, and 5-10% carbs.
Aside from smoothies, a liquid diet includes things that are liquid at room temperatures such as jello, shakes, soups, and juices. Additionally, certain recipes of bone broth are an excellent option as a meal replacement due to the low carb aspect, while still being nutrient-rich and filling so you feel satiated until your next meal.
Pros and Cons
As with any diet, there are pros and cons associated with both. It’s important to do a lot of research so you can make an informed decision when considering a new diet plan. If you have any health issues you should also speak with your general practitioner as the keto diet is not for everyone. Don’t just take anyone’s word when it comes to your health and consider both sides before starting any new diet.
Pros
Some of the pros include simplifying your meal plans. When following a liquid keto diet your options will be quite limited. This will take much of the guesswork out of deciding what to consume for each meal. Simply choose a keto shake, smoothie, or liquid and you’re all set.
Additionally, it makes calorie and macro tracking easy as you have the option to purchase premade liquid keto drinks. A few more pros include quicker weight loss, provided you are following the diet to a T and it will also help you feel fuller for longer due to the high fat and protein amount.
Cons
One of the cons is also one of the pros previously mentioned. You will have an extremely limited list of food options. This can eventually make it difficult to enjoy your food options as you will end up repeating the same meals often. Similar to this, you may have intense food cravings. This can put you at risk for binge eating, so it is not recommended to stay on a liquid keto diet indefinitely.
Another major con is that you may develop nutrient deficiencies. This can result in some nasty side effects such as dizziness, brain fog, and lethargy. If you do choose to partake in this diet plan, be sure to include nutrient-dense options.
Weight Loss Keto Shakes
Chocolate Keto Protein Shake by Ketologie
This is one of the best ketos shakes currently on the market. Coming in at 30 calories a serving, this keto meal replacement shake is top tier when it comes to clean ingredients and zero carbs.
ZonePerfect Keto Shake
This keto shake is a perfect grab-and-go option for those days when you’re running late and need something quick that you don’t have to think about. It contains no artificial flavors or sweeteners and follows the true keto macro ratio taking the guesswork out of it.
SlimFast Keto Meal Replacement Shake
This option is an excellent choice for those who hold taste to a higher standard. Though it isn’t as precise as the ZonePerfect option, it definitely passes the keto macro requirements and features whey and collagen proteins as well as grass-fed butter giving it a distinct creamy sweet flavor.
Proganics Organic Keto Meal Replacement Vegan
This meal replacement is an organic plant-based vegan option that’s based out of Australia. It’s convenient and delicious with the perfect ratio of fats, proteins, and carbs.
Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Keto
This keto shake is an awesome choice for those who would like to get more out of a keto meal replacement shake. Featuring special probiotics, this product aids in digestion and helps to improve immunity.
Conclusion
The keto diet is designed to force the body into using fat as a fuel source instead of carbs. This process is known as ketosis. There are different types of keto diets including the liquid keto diet which is basically just a typical liquid diet that follows keto protocol. There are pros and cons to a liquid keto diet and you should do your own research to decide if it’s the right diet for you. It can be an excellent method to lose weight quickly but is not recommended for long-term use.
