The Keto Diet for Pro Cheerleaders
Choosing the right diet for you can be an overwhelming experience especially that there are so many promising options. One diet that’s getting more attention these days is the ketogenic “keto” diet. What is the keto diet? What are its benefits for you as an aspiring or current cheerleader? Let’s dig deeper in this guide so you’ll know if it’s right for you.
What Is the Keto Diet?
The keto diet, also known as the low-carb high-fat diet is a diet that turns your body into a fat burning machine. Because the keto diet limits your consumption of carbohydrates, your body taps into your fat stores for energy. Your liver produces ketones which are your new fuel sources. Under the keto diet, your protein consumption becomes moderate.
The keto diet has been around since the 1920s as a treatment for epilepsy. The keto diet reduces the frequency of seizures. Now, it’s being used worldwide by those who want to drop a lot of weight and enjoy its other benefits.
Why Start the Keto Diet? What's in It for You?
As someone who lives an active lifestyle, prepares for the upcoming pro cheer auditions and is probably juggling many things at once, here’s how you’ll benefit from the keto diet:
- Weight loss - If you’re struggling to keep your weight off, the ketogenic diet can be a very effective solution. The production of ketones effectively reduces your appetite, keeping those unhealthy cravings at bay.
- Lower inflammation - Research suggests that the keto diet helps reduce inflammation in the body. As you may know, inflammation is associated with many diseases -- for example, obesity, asthma, arthritis, and cancers. Starting and maintaining a keto diet will help you stay healthier and disease-free.
- Increase in energy - Diet plays an important role in keeping you energized. A diet that’s high in carbs makes you feel sluggish. Think about those afternoon energy slumps that make you skip your workouts, stay in bed, and overall affect your productivity. On a keto diet, your body taps into your fat fuel stores for consistent energy and you no longer crave for those carbs.
Ketogenic Diet Foods
Here are some examples of keto-friendly foods and beverages that are low in carbs and high in fat:
- Eggs
- Meat (fattier ones)
- Fatty fish (sardines, anchovies, salmon, mackerel)
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
- Red wine
- Bone Broth
- Nuts (in moderation)
- Cheese (in moderation)
- Broccoli
- Eggplant
Be sure to avoid anything that’s starchy and sugary. This includes vegetables such as corn, chickpeas, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. Stay away from pastries, sodas, and grains.
Keto Diet Lifestyle Tips
Here are some helpful tips to make your transition easier and increase your keto diet success.
- Only consume keto foods - Be careful about your food choices, including those ingredients found in your foods. Many fruits and vegetables may look ok to you, but they’re actually not keto.
- Track your macros - You need to track your keto diet to know if you’re consuming the right amounts of protein, fat, and carbs. When it comes to carbs, they should only make up 5–10% of your total calories. (Read: Keto Macros: How to Calculate Your Optimal Ketogenic Macronutrients)
- Drink lots of water - Water keeps you from getting constipated when you’re consuming fewer fruits and vegetables. It also decreases the symptoms of the keto flu as you’re starting out.
What Diet Are You Following?
Your food and lifestyle are things you should plan carefully when you’re a professional cheerleader. Hopefully, you’ve seen the benefits of the keto diet in this quick guide. At the end of the day, we all decide what’s best for us depending on our personal experience with a diet. Do you follow a certain diet now? How has it worked for you? Share your thoughts and experiences in our private Facebook group
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