ketogenic diet

noun

variants or keto diet

plural ketogenic diets or keto diets

: a diet that supplies large amounts of fats, moderate amounts of proteins, and minimal amounts of carbohydrates and that is undertaken for weight loss or to control seizures in treatment-resistant epilepsy

Note: As the body is deprived of carbohydrates in the ketogenic diet, insulin secretion drops and glycogen stores in the body become depleted. The body then enters a state of nutritional ketosis where ketone bodies formed by the metabolism of fatty acids replace glucose as the primary energy source.

A ketogenic diet, says [Robert] Atkins, burns one's fat stores and uses them as a source of fuel.

—Lisa Teresi Harris

The keto diet can be restrictive and requires that you carefully measure out the various macronutrients—fat, protein and carbohydrates—to keep your body in ketosis and gain the benefits of the diet.

—Elaine K. Howley

The center offers the latest medical and surgical treatments as well as the ketogenic diet—a special high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that helps control seizures in some people.

—The New York Times Magazine

Examples of ketogenic diet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

High fat, high protein, and low-sugar ketogenic diets caught on. —Juergen Eckhardt, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Among those who diet, the most popular method is low-carb or no-carb (16%), which could include the ketogenic diet—a low-carb, high-fat approach with moderate levels of protein. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2024

Jim and his wife, Nancy started The Charlie Foundation and brought the ketogenic diet to the world. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 26 Nov. 2024

Daily seizures became part of the family’s life. Desperate for relief, the Abrahams put Charlie on a ketogenic diet of high-fat foods, and Charlie’s seizures stopped within days. —Chris Koseluk, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ketogenic diet

noun

variants or keto diet

ˈkēt-ō-

: a diet usually for weight loss that is high in fats and low in carbohydrates

Medical Definition

ketogenic diet

noun

variants or keto diet

: a diet that supplies large amounts of fats, moderate amounts of proteins, and minimal amounts of carbohydrates and that is undertaken for weight loss or to control seizures in treatment-resistant epilepsy

Note: As the body is deprived of carbohydrates in the ketogenic diet, insulin secretion drops and glycogen stores in the body become depleted. The body then enters a state of nutritional ketosis where ketone bodies formed by the metabolism of fatty acids replace glucose as the primary energy source.