NST 10: Introduction to Human Nutrition

University of California, Berkeley

Assignment: Popular Diets

Identify a popular diet of your interest or select one of the following:

Wheat Belly, French Women Don't Get Fat, The 4 Hour Body, the 17 Day Diet, K-E Diet, Paleo
Diet, The Amen Solution, the Dukun Diet, The New Sonoma Diet, HCG diet, Liquid Amino
Diet, Blood Type Diet, Beverly Hills Diet, Grapefruit Diet, Cabbage Soup Diet, etc.

Evaluate the diet by answering the following questions IN YOUR OWN WORDS:

1. (2 pts) Give the name and describe the diet (what consumers eat and do) in sufficient
detail.

The diet that I have chosen is the Keto or Ketogenic Diet. The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat
diet and high protein. It lowers blood sugar and insulin levels, and shifts the body’s metabolism
away from carbs and towards fat and ketones. It is quite similar to the Atkins Diet. People on a
keto diet, base a majority of their diet on foods such as meat, fish, eggs, butter,
cheese,cream,coconut,nuts,seeds, healthy oils, avocados and low-carb green vegetables. They
tend to avoid eating grains, sugars, legumes, rice, milk, ice cream, alcohol,deserts,potatoes,
candy, juice and even most fruits

2. (3 pts) What are the health and nutrition claims of this diet and how do the authors report
it works?

Keto diet has been proven beneficial in treating epilepsy in children and is being studied
for its effects on brain condition such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Keto diet
is also said to improve blood cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. They also
reduce appetite, boost weight loss and lower triglyceride levels in the body. Keto diet is
also said to reduce acne and risk of certain cancers. Keto dies also improves PCOS
symptoms. The authors reports it to be the best possible diet to boost health but also gives
the advice to consult a doctor/dietician before embarking upon this diet to ensure it is a
safe option (Gotter, Campos).

3. (4 pts) Are the claims scientifically plausible? Explain. (Use references of any studies
conducted on this diet; use the concepts you have learned in this class.)

These claims are not scientifically plausible as Keto diet is a Fad Diet and although Fad diets
may lead to weight loss for a short period of time, they do not have any scientific proven effects
for longer periods of time. The keto diet is a very hard diet to follow as it might get repetitive
and restrictive. Due to the low intake of carbohydrates, the body may lack in essential
micronutrients. Keto diet can also have adverse health effects such as excess protein, kidney
stones and a build-up of fat in the liver. It is hard to follow, and it can be heavy on red meat and
other fatty, processed, and salty foods that are notoriously unhealthy. We also do not know much
about its long-term effects, probably because it’s so hard to stick with that people can’t eat this
way for a long time. It is also important to remember that these kind of diets that lead to rapid
weight loss fluctuation are associated with increased mortality. Most of the scientific research
done on the Keto Diet on humans are premature. That is they are done on a small population of
humans and have been carried on for a short period of time (<6 months). Thus, there is a lack of

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NST 10: Introduction to Human Nutrition
University of California, Berkeley
Assignment 3: Popular Diets

long term research (>2 years) that suggests a highly restrictive diet like Keto is superior for
weight loss than others, and its not certainly right for everyone (Migala).

4. (1 pt) Would you recommend this diet to anyone? Why or why not?

Yes, I would recommend this diet to an individual who wants to lose weight quite fast. I
am myself have been on this diet for 6 months now and can see substantial changes in my
body. Having a personal experience of the Keto Diet and seeing its benefits/results, I
would definitely recommend this.

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NST 10: Introduction to Human Nutrition
University of California, Berkeley
Assignment 3: Popular Diets

Works Cited

1. Gotter, Ana. “Keto Diet: Benefits and Nutrients.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon
International, 7 Jan. 2020, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319196.

2. Marcelo Campos, MD. “Ketogenic Diet: Is the Ultimate Low-Carb Diet Good for You?”
Harvard Health Blog, 27 Apr. 2020, www.health.harvard.edu/blog/ketogenic-diet-is-the
ultimate-low-carb-diet-good-for-you-2017072712089.

3. Migala, Jessica, et al. “What Are the Benefits and Risks of the Keto Diet?: Everyday
Health.” EverydayHealth.com, 14 Jan. 2019, www.everydayhealth.com/diet
nutrition/ketogenic-diet/what-are-benefits-risks-keto-diet/.

4. Gunnars, Kris. “10 Health Benefits of Low-Carb and Ketogenic Diets.” Healthline,
Healthline Media, 20 Nov. 2018, www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-low-carb-
ketogenic-diets.