The ketogenic diet has gained popularity in health circles because of its weight loss benefits, but many of the studies done on keto have been focused on males and lab rats. What about the keto diet for women? Do the same health benefits that apply to men apply to women who choose to adopt a high-fat, low-carbohydrate eating pattern? Let’s go over the science behind the diet to decipher keto diet benefits and risks for women, plus cover some simple tips to make sure you start the keto diet off on the right foot.

1. December 07, 2020 / Amy Height
KETO DIET FOR WOMEN: HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT SUSTAINABLY
The ketogenic diet has gained popularity in health circles because of its weight loss
benefits, but many of the studies done on keto have been focused on males and lab rats.
What about the keto diet for women? Do the same health benefits that apply to men apply
to women who choose to adopt a high-fat, low-carbohydrate eating pattern?
Let’s go over the science behind the diet to decipher keto diet benefits and risks for women,
plus cover some simple tips to make sure you start the keto diet off on the right foot.
What is the Ketogenic Diet?
The keto diet focuses on consuming a diet high in fat, with moderate protein, and low total
carbohydrates. It emphasizes fats of all varieties – like those found in coconut oil, avocado,
lard, butter, nuts, and olives – and eschews carbohydrates from nearly all sources,
including grains, fruit, and legumes.
The goal of eating keto is to get the body into ketosis, which is the state in which the body
metabolizes fat for energy. Typically, carbohydrates are our main source of energy; so by
significantly reducing carbs, the body shifts to break down stored and ingested fat into
ketones. These ketones become the primary source of fuel throughout the body.
Once ketosis is in effect, your body becomes more efficient at burning fat for energy, blood
sugar and insulin levels become more optimal, and mental acuity is increased.
Foods to Eat on the Keto Diet
The ketogenic diet is one of the more restrictive diets out there, so it’s important to have a
good grasp of what foods you can and cannot eat. Here is a brief list of foods that you will
need to know.
Animal proteins, like beef, pork, bacon, chicken, turkey, and fatty fish
Eggs and dairy foods, like milk, cream, butter, and cheese
Nuts and seeds
Oils, including olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil
Low-carb plant foods, like avocado, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, onions, peppers,
and fresh herbs
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2. Foods to Avoid on the Keto Diet
Grain foods (including whole-grain or refined) such as baked goods, cereals, rice, quinoa,
and pasta
Beans and legumes
Fruit, except for small portions of low-sugar berries or citrus
Root vegetables, tubers, and high-carb vegetables, like potatoes and carrots
Sugars and sweet foods, including soda, juice, ice cream, and candy
Sweeteners, including honey, maple syrup, and agave
Refined and hydrogenated oils
If the above list seems daunting, you’re not alone. Keto is notoriously one of the more
restrictive and strict diets to follow. To make the transition easier, a keto meal planning
service may be a great choice to make sure you’re getting balanced nutrition while on the
diet.
Weight Loss on the Keto Diet
Women’s bodies have a higher percentage of fat due to natural makeup, hormones, and
reproductive needs. Fat is essential in the regulation of the menstrual cycle, and having
enough fat is important for maintaining a healthy period cycle. But, for overweight or obese
women (and men), body fat can be linked to a slew of negative health outcomes, like type 2
diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
The ketogenic diet uses body fat for fuel and has been shown to be extremely beneficial for
weight loss (including fat loss!). Since women are more likely to have more body fat, this
provides a great foundation for keto-diet-based weight loss, which is driven by fat
metabolism.
How does the keto diet plan for women cause weight loss? After following the keto diet for
approximately two to seven days, your body will run out of carbs and enter the state of
ketosis. This state occurs when your body doesn’t have enough glucose for energy
production and turns to alternative fuel. During ketosis, your liver breaks down fat and
makes ketones. These chemicals are a type of acid that when sent to your bloodstream can
be used to fuel your muscles and other tissues.
The keto diet encourages weight loss for other reasons as well. When you stop eating carbs
you also lose water weight. This is because your body retains fluid to store carbs for energy
and when you stop storing carbs, this fluid retention is no longer necessary. Another way
keto seems to help with weight loss is that while carbohydrates are easy to consume in high
quantities, filling up on fat may keep you more satisfied and less likely to experience
cravings.
One of the fastest ways to lose weight on the keto diet is to practice intermittent fasting.
Fasting speeds up the time it takes to enter ketosis so you can start losing weight quickly.
Intermittent fasting restricts food consumption to a specific window of time.
A common intermittent fasting method is to spend 16 hours of the day fasting and only eat
meals and snacks within the other 8-hour window. Studies have found that intermittent
fasting promotes fat loss while retaining muscle mass. This benefit builds upon itself since
muscles burn more calories than fat in addition to increasing your metabolism.
Keto Diet for Women vs. Men
The way women’s bodies react to the keto diet is vastly different from how men’s bodies
work with the diet, and this is due to a few important biological differences.
Hormone Levels
Female sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone play an integral role in the regulation
and functioning of the female body. Studies in mice have shown that when fat is increased
in the diet, this can wreak havoc on hormone balance, increasing estrogen levels. Increased
estrogen suppresses the thyroid, which is a control center for weight management, energy
levels, sex drive, concentration, and mood. Weight gain is also one of the most common
effects of having impaired thyroid function.
Period Cycles
It feels awkward to talk about periods, but let’s be real: they affect 50% of the human
population, so let’s cut to the chase! Premenstrual Syndrome (or PMS) affects many
women, and a common symptom is food cravings. Often these cravings are for carb-rich
foods like bread and sweets. If you’re on the keto diet, this can cause a major dilemma and
challenge to stick to the diet.
The fact that your month may also be affected by bloating, headaches, and fatigue makes
sticking to a strict diet that much more cumbersome. Males, on the other hand, are free
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3. from these regular hormone fluctuations caused by periods, so it’s comparatively easier for
them to stick to the regimen.
Effect s of Low Carb on t he Female Body
While carbs are a big no-no on the ketogenic diet, they hold a lot of nutritional value in the
form of essential vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients; many of which are essential to
female health. Cutting carbs drastically can also increase the stress hormone, cortisol.
Higher levels of cortisol are linked to negative health outcomes, like inflammation, blood
sugar spikes, weight gain, and high blood pressure.
Regardless of gender, it’s always vital to weigh the pros and cons of a new eating pattern,
and starting the ketogenic diet is no exception.
Benefits of the Keto Diet for Women
The benefits of the keto diet plan for women can be plentiful, and when done correctly, a
low carbohydrate, high-fat pattern of eating can have positive effects on women’s overall
health.
Improved Fert ilit y
A recent meta-analysis showed significant positive improvements in fertility after
participants went on a low carbohydrate diet. While the results are promising, it’s still a
new area of research, so more studies need to be done to address how a high-fat diet
specifically plays into fertility in women.
Improved Energy and Mood
Once you are in ketosis, ketones provide a great fuel source for your brain which may
increase your overall brain functionality. This is supported by studies that suggest a low
carbohydrate keto diet for women may help improve energy, cognition, and mood.
Appet it e Suppressant
Many people report having a decreased appetite while on the ketogenic diet, but the jury is
still out as to why this happens. It may be due to increased fat in the diet, which fills you up
with its high-calorie ratio (fat has 9 calories per gram, versus 4 calories per gram for
carbohydrates and protein). A study also showed that the ketogenic diet affects hunger
hormones, causing a reduction in hunger.
Tips and Tricks for Practicing a Healthy Keto Diet
You’ve weighed up the pros and cons, and you’re now interested in trying keto! Here are
simple ketogenic diet tips to start your keto diet journey on the right foot.
Gradually Limit Your Carbs
Jumping into the keto diet too quickly and rapidly depriving your body of carbohydrates can
lead to the infamous “keto flu”. This is where keto beginners experience flu-like symptoms
as the body adapts to a diet with fewer carbohydrates. The best way to start keto for
beginners and reduce the chances of falling ill is to stay hydrated, don’t overdo it on
exercise, get adequate sleep, and make sure you’re consuming enough food (within the
boundaries of the diet).
Be Prepared
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4. If you were previously eating with no restrictions, starting keto can be a difficult transition
due to the restrictions. Our tip: be prepared! Research the keto diet plan for women in-
depth, learn about the foods you can and cannot eat, and make a plan of action for your
first few weeks. Ask yourself: What am I going to eat? Do I have the right foods in my
kitchen? What am I going to snack on when I get a craving? If it’s overwhelming, it may be
a smart time to invest in a meal planning service to give you a leg up with meal prep, or to
help with your keto shopping list.
Creat e a Cust om Meal Plan
Eating out can be difficult on the ketogenic diet, so cooking your meals at home is essential
to success. It can be helpful to make a meal plan for all your meals and snacks to make
sure you’re meeting your nutritional needs, while also staying within the macronutrient
boundaries of the diet. If creating this plan from scratch seems daunting, there are services
that do the research for you – try out this personalization quiz to make your custom keto
meal plan.
Underst and Your Body and List en t o How You Feel
As much as you read and research, the fact is that everyone’s keto experience will be
different. The transition may be easy, and you may quickly feel results from the dietary
changes… or you may struggle with new foods and get hit with the keto flu.
The person who knows your body best is you, so listen to the feedback it’s giving you. If
you’re feeling below your usual standard, consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian.
They can help you navigate the transition and make sure you are safely adopting the diet.
Is a Keto Meal Plan Right for You?
We have covered a vast array of benefits with the ketogenic diet and dug into some of the
potential risks specifically regarding the keto diet for women. It’s important to weigh these
factors when choosing to start a new diet, and for women, it’s particularly vital to keep tabs
on your health so you don’t mess up your hormones and reproductive health.
Make sure you are taking into account your activity level, fertility goals (if any), and any
pre-existing health conditions; and always consult with a health professional before making
any big dietary or lifestyle changes. Once you’ve committed to a keto change, planning is
key, and a meal planning service is a small but worthy investment to make your transition
as smooth as possible.
The Takeaway
Following a keto diet plan for women may help you feel better, lose weight, and improve
your health. By limiting your carbs, you may also find that a keto diet helps you regulate
your blood sugar.
We know adjusting your diet can be a struggle, but PlateJoy is here to help! We offer a
variety of healthy meal plans that can be customized for your dietary needs. Find
assistance for everything from creating a shopping list to planning next week’s menu. We
make meal planning easy and enjoyable.
Amy Height
Holistic Nutritionist @ From the Ground Up Wellness
Amy Height is the founder of From the Ground Up Wellness, a holistic nutrition
practice where she specializes in plant-based nutrition and helping her clients
combat food addiction. She completed her training at the Institute for Integrative
Nutrition, where she received her certification in the Health Coach Training Program.
She is a triathlete and CrossFitter with a passion for all things outdoors. By night, Amy
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5. Is a Keto Meal Plan Right for You?
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