A lot of people are interested in this keto-based diet, and the way running and keto can be used in conjunction. The keto diet can be described as a means to eat a high-fat, protein and a low-carb diet. It aids your body to break down macronutrients, which include protein, carbs and fat.
The body can only absorb 80 percent proteins and fats, with almost none of carbs. The best foods to include in the keto diet include eggs, fish, meat dairy and oils, as well as vegetables. For carbohydrates, it’s basically not allowed for you. It’s completely contrary to the plant-based diet.
You are probably asking yourself, “Will it affect my running performance if I follow this keto-based eating plan?” We spoke to three keto runners who have been trained to share their experience on what they think the Keto diet can help enhance their running performance.
1. Avi Charlton
Biography:Australian, 45-years old Doctor General Practitioner
Avi started running 6 years ago in order to shed weight and get fit gradually, it evolved into an obsession, a pastime and a way to couple with friends.
In the beginning she joined the gym in order to lose weight. After working out three times per week over a period of three months she’d no weight loss. She began running the c25k Run app and began running in parks.
Then she shed 4kg, and then became obsessed with running. She now is running four times a week and attends the gym twice a week.
RS: What was the reason and how did you make the decision to be Keto? Keto?
Avi My gym where I frequent has an event for body transformation. I joined and was instructed on what to consume. I began a low carb diet adhering to the fitness instructor’s recommendations.
Following that, I attended an event on low-carbohydrate diets for doctors. The more I learned about the science, and the more I researched the scientific research, the more I was able to understand the advantages from eating this manner.
I learned that carbohydrates transform into sugar when consumed. The excess carbs are converted into fat via insulin, a hormone that is retained as body fat.
Weight gain is caused by high insulin and then insulin resistance like diabetes. I also learned about endurance training through eating keto or low carb and being fat-adapted.
This aids in burning fat for fuel, and in the end you don’t have to continuously fuel your body by sugar gels. It is also a more efficient metabolically fuel, with less inflammation, and less digestive side effects.
I am now incorporating the science of low carbs in my practice as a general doctor. I help patients consume a diet low in carbs to treat medical conditions for example, diabetes and obesity.
RS: What have benefited you the most since becoming Keto? Keto?
Avi Keto diets are amazing for weight control. My weight is now steady and I don’t have to lose any weight. It boosts my energy levels, and I am also feeling more satisfied. I’m not hungry in between meals and don’t require a snack.
I feel more rested and sleep better. I also have more energetic after exercising. In consuming less refined carbohydrates and sugar like bread, there’s less inflammation, and I am feeling my mind is more focused and greater productivity.
The healing process is faster for injuries, and there’s less chance of suffering from aches and injuries. I am able to recover from running long distances better.
RS What can ketogenic diets improve the performance of runners?
Avi : It could take as long as three months to become fat-adapted. In order to achieve this, you must follow a low-carb diet. It is also beneficial to train with an empty stomach. Performance can be affected before fat adaption occurs.
This means that you may feel tired and feel less energetic in the beginning. Once you’re in a state of fat-loss, energy levels are typically restored by endurance workouts.
There is less requirement for provide energy during endurance exercise. The body is able to burn fat stores instead of relying on glycogen stores that are stored in the storage of carbohydrates.
The RS asks: What does your keto diet look like prior, during , and immediately following your race?
Avi: I eat a very high protein diet. My meals are packed with protein. For breakfast, the majority often I consume about two at least three eggs. Sometimes, I’ll include some meat, such as bacon or chorizo. If I’m trying to get to get out, Chia seeds puddings that contain protein powder could be an easy choice to top by yoghurt or smoothies containing protein powder.
For lunch, it’s typically a leftover that was eaten the night before. In the event that I do not have leftovers, it could be the tin of fish, such as tuna, mackerel or sardines made with olive oil. Cheese, crackers, and avocado.
For dinner, it’s typically food that includes vegetables and meat. Lamb, steak meatballs, pork and Chicken hamburgers (without the bun). There is nothing different between eating a meal prior to the race or an ordinary food. I would do carb load with rice or pasta prior to the long run or race.
However, I am now fat-adapted, so it is not necessary to do this. I still consume some carbohydrates as small quantities of berries, sweet potatoes or rice beetroot, pumpkin, and beetroot.
When I run a long distance and race I create myself my own energy. I put them into squeeze pouches. I mix the chia seeds, berries, Lemon juice, MCT oils sugar, sea salt, and water and then keep it in the freezer until the night prior to.
The RS A Keto runner, do you have any concerns about the safety of ketogenic diets?
Avi It is not true that there is no security concern. In the process of learning about the human body and science There is no biological need of the body’s system to eat carbohydrates.
The body is definitely in need of proteins and fats. In actual fact, the entire population needs to reduce their intake of carbohydrates to lower the prevalence of obesity within the community.
Follow Avi on Instagram at: @doctor_mummy_Runner
2. Anna McPhie
Biography:Australian, 41-years old Entrepreneur
Anna began running at her home’s treadmill when her baby was only 9 months old. Anna was hooked immediately and set her own goals for herself. In just the space of six months, she completed her first half-marathon.
Five years on she’s set to complete her 11th half-marathon while she prepares in preparation for her debut full-marathon that will be held in October this year.
She is coached by an athletic coach named Zac Newman of Run2PB and has been an enormous help in helping her get back from a few injuries and setbacks.
RS: Why and how did you choose to go on to become Keto? Keto?
Anna: After getting my third child I was no longer having a good mental or physical state. I looked up Keto then decided to give it a go.
My first half-marathon I ran with carbohydrates as my fuel. However, afterward I felt depleted and sick, with stomach-related symptoms. When I switched to fat as fuel, my performance improved. I felt more energy and lost 24 kilos in just the span of six months.
The RS: What’s helped you most from being Keto? Keto?
Anna Energy that lasts longer and better skin, improved moods, I’m more inspired, I have better sleep and don’t suffer from crash-like carbs throughout the day.
RS What can ketogenic diets improve running performance?
Anna The energy-systems of your body become more efficient and efficient. With the ability to make fat the primary source of food that allows you to run for longer without having to replenish energy because fat is abundant in your body when you are able to efficiently utilize it as a source of fuel.
RS: What will the keto-friendly diet of yours look prior to and during the race?
In the weeks leading up to the race, I focus on fibre, protein and clean food which is pretty much what I eat for two days prior to the race. I also add certain carbohydrates, like potatoes to my meals to help put glucose into my muscles, which means it’s readily available when I’m in the race.
Prior to a race, I’m usually not eating anything other than a handful of nuts and a cup of black coffee. However I’ve changed in time and now fast all day long, up to lunch time, so I think it’s different for everyone.
To fuel myself during my race, I create my own nut bar using the nut butter and the crushed nuts. For a half marathon I’ve found that I need to eat a few about 12km in the distance and that’s plenty for me, as is water. In the aftermath of the race I like an espresso and generally things like eggs broccoli, avocado, and eggs.
R: As a Keto runner, is there any safety issues that could last for a long time with the ketogenic diet?
Anna: No. I’m eating clean, healthy food, and cycling in carbs and fasting, and I am feeling better than I’ve ever felt. I’m physically and mentally healthier than I’ve ever been. My current half marathon PR is 1hr 43min and it’s only going to get better.
It is possible to follow Anna via Instagram: @Eat.Run.Cook
3. Nordiana
Bio: Singaporean, 40-years old
In the year 2017, Nordiana decided to put an extra effort in losing weight. She began running every week since it’s the only exercise she could perform at a rapid pace.
Her son is left at home, and then runs off at the early morning hours. She returns back home just before her son gets up.
In the end, it became a routine for her for her to exercise on a regular basis. She was unable to feel at ease whenever she didn’t do at least 2 to 5km run every day.
RS: Why and how did you choose to go on to become Keto? Keto?
Nordiana: Because fitness is 20 percent exercise and the other 80 percent is nutrition! It’s a fact that I cannot ignore and the possibility of to follow the Keto diet. Studies have proven the body (especially when we are old) prefers to use fat as its primary source of fuel rather than the normal carbs.
I was in my late 30s, and with a lot evident fats, it was time to try it. It was difficult to keep the carbs lower every day but it was possible and I lost 5kg with the strictly Keto diet.
It wasn’t until I was able to understand the various types of Keto diets (Standard Ketogenic Diet, Targeted Ketogenic Diet, Cyclical Ketogenic Diet and restricted ketogenic Food Plan specifically for Therapeutic Users) which I finally was in a position to increase my weight loss as well as my running.
According to me, the ketogenic diet that is best for runners would be Cyclical ketogenic diet (CKD) which is also called carb backloading, that is when the consumption of more carbs is increased. For instance five ketogenic days that are followed by two more carb-rich days.
The RS: What’s helped you the most since becoming Keto? Keto?
The majority of the benefits resulted from CKD only after practicing (takes an amount of time to get used to) and not as significantly the Keto diet that we typically study.
The benefits stem mainly from the loss of weight or fat. I saw a noticeable reduction in size in shoes, clothes and even my rings size. I was thrilled to be able to wear my wedding ring after seven years of not being able to wear it! Also, I eat a greater diverse food choices now as compared to prior to being on CKD.
When I lost weight I was able run longer distances in races The physical and mental energy CKD provides is an essential combination for races. In addition, my recovery following longer runs was reduced.
Prior to going on CKD I’d recommend taking approximately two days to recover due to the fact that when a diet is comprised of carbs (inflammatory foods) which slows the process of recovery. Today, just a few days is enough for recovery (because of the lesser amount of carbohydrates consumed) even for races that are long distance.
RS What do ketogenic diets enhance running performance? Why?
Nordiana: In prior races, I began to feel discomfort and energy dips following 10km. I was forced to rely on having a sports gel because of exhausted energy levels. I experienced energy dips and then energy spikes that was certainly not a pleasant experience.
With CKD electrolytes and water were all I required to complete the race, and it was able to be completed without cramps.
CKD helps with flexibility metabolism. This means that your body is likely to require less carbs during race week or the day prior to an event since the body is able to develop an increased capacity to store stored carbs (glycogen) and an enhanced capacity to utilize fats as fuel during and after race day.
RS: What will the keto-friendly diet of yours look prior and during the race?
Nordiana: My last meal will be at minimum 3 hours prior to the race: a fat-nutrient dense one. The meal includes eggs, and a half avocado. This is why I take a keto supplement.
Prior to my race, I made 1 liter of sack that contains 2 teaspoons of mixture of electrolytes in liquid form. It was all I had to drink for my marathon, aside from 1 liter of water. I usually have stomach problems prior to as well as during my race however this is not atypical.
Then, after my event, the rest of the day is likely to be a carb-refeed day. What’s wrong with that? After a time of deprivation during my rigorous training time I’ll want to feel the taste of food that is unhealthy (rather inflammatory).
My most frequent choices are an enormous bag of Lays BBQ chips, a bowl full of Penang Char Kway Teow or Nasi Goreng Kampung.
It’s all about local food! In the majority of cases, following that type of meal I’d feel extremely full of gas. The wrong type of food could cause has increased the oxidative stress in my body and also slowed my immunity.
Although I’m aware of this, I’m always back to the comfort foods. It’s okay as we’re all human. I’ll be back to CKD within the next day.
R: A Keto runner, is there any concerns about the safety of ketogenic diets?
Nordiana: It is vital to identify the ketogenic diet one is following and conduct extensive research. Since it is a diet with very low carb levels A standard keto diet can’t endure intense bouts of high-intensity exercise or intense training.
A typical keto diet may be uncomfortable and painful for many and isn’t very practical in terms of social dining. For CKD it is close to 80-85 10% fat, 10-15% protein and 5- 10 percent carbs. This is the ideal diet for long-lasting fitness, longevity, and fat loss.
Follow Nordiana on Instagram by following her on Instagram: @Dee Diana
Have you tried the keto diet previously? Please share your keto or running experiences with us, and what it’s been doing for you. We’d like to hear from you about your experiences!
What is what is Keto Diet?
The keto diet is basically a way to eat a high-fat, protein and a low-carb diet. It aids your body to break down macronutrients, which are protein, carbs and fats.
The body’s diet will comprise 80 percent protein and fat and virtually no intake from carbohydrates. The body uses that backup fuel by converting the fat you consume or body fat into ketones, so you burn fat to create fuel.
How will it impact the performance of my run if take keto?
It can take up to three months for athletes to get fat-adapted. In order to achieve this, one must adhere to a low-carb diet. Additionally, it is advantageous to exercise on a empty stomach. The performance is usually affected prior to when fat adaptation occurs.
Ketogenic diet-based runners have reported lower energy levels as well as slower speed of running as well as a problem exercising at high intensity. The people who could benefit from this are those who are ultra distance runners.
Are there any long-term security questions regarding the ketogenic diet recommended for runners?
It is crucial to know the ketogenic diet that one is following and to conduct extensive research. As a person who is on very low carbohydrate levels, a typical keto diet is not able to be able to endure long periods of intense workouts or extensive training.
The keto diet may result in low blood pressure constipation, kidney stones as well as nutritional deficiencies. This can lead to an increase risk developing heart disease. Experts suggest that you stay on keto for a minimum of six months maximum before adding more carbs into your diet.