Ketotarian is Basically Keto Without Bacon and Cheese

If you're unfamiliar with keto, the plan is a high fat, moderate protein, and low carbohydrate diet. The goal is to enter ketosis , or fat burning mode, which occurs when your body doesn't have enough carbs to use as energy.

Ketotarian was popularized by Will Cole, functional medicine expert and chiropractor, in his book, Ketotarian: The (Mostly) Plant-Based Plan to Burn Fat, Boost Your Energy, Crush Your Cravings, and Calm Inflammation . This version promises to deliver the health and weight-loss benefits of keto without eating plates full of meat and dairy, according to Cole's website .

Here's exactly what you need to know about this keto alternative:

What can you eat on the ketotarian diet?

This version markets itself as a mostly plant-based diet that excludes certain foods rumored to be inflammatory. Cole claims this diet is optimal for reducing your risk of chronic inflammation , which is linked to arthritis and cardiovascular diseases.

Although you can eat eggs, ghee, and fish , all other animal products are off limits. Dieters are encouraged to forego nightshade vegetables, which includes many grocery store staples:

Tomatoes
White potatoes
Eggplant
Bell peppers
Cayenne pepper

Some people believe certain foods, like nightshades and vegetable oils contribute to inflammation, explains Melanie Boehmer, R.D . at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. However, there's scant evidence to support these claims. The few studies that do link nightshades to inflammation include the food in quantities that exceed what you would normally eat.

"The amounts that are consumed are obscene and not natural to what were consuming," she says.

Here's a list of recommended foods:

Almonds
Brazil nuts
Cashews
Chia seeds
Pasture-raised eggs
Tempeh
Spinach
Almond butter
Avocado
Broccoli
Asparagus
Mushrooms
Hemp hearts
Coconut oil
Olive oil
Coconut cream
Coconut meat
Unsweetened almond milk yogurt

Is it possible to maintain ketosis?

About 70 percent of your daily calorie needs to come from fat in order to reach ketosis . Protein is limited to 20 percent and and carbs compromise no more than 10 percent of your daily calories.

To reach fat burning mode, many dieters resort to eating plates of bacon, explains Boehmer.

"When we think keto the thing that comes to mind are fattier cuts of animal protein," she tells Men's Health.

However, she says it is possible to maintain ketosis without heavy cream, pork belly, or cheeseburgers sans bun.

Boehmer recommends including nuts or seeds with every meal to hit your macros.

"They're calorically dense and theyre very high in fat," she says. "They do have some carbohydrates so you have to be aware of that."

Is ketotarian healthier than keto?

Keto is already restrictive and this approach is going to further limit what you eat, says Boehmer.

She recommends including as much variety as possible in your meals to ensure you don't lack in vitamins and minerals.

However, Boehmer likes that this plan emphasizes eating plenty of plant-based foods rather than bacon and cheese.

Can you lose weight on ketotarian?

Ultimately, you'll shed pounds if your caloric intake is restricted to less than what your body needs to maintain its current weigh, says Boehmer.

"On keto, people tend to lose weight quicker on the front end because theyre taking out the starches,' she says. "A lot of that initial weight loss is waternot fat mass. We just dont lose fat that quickly."

Bottom line: you need to find a diet that you can maintain long-term.

Should you try ketotarian?

Due to its restrictive nature, this diet isn't for everyone, says Boehmer.

"If you are someone who has limited time, this is going to be challenging for you because it does involve planning," she says.

Further, she doesn't recommend strict diets for people who have a history of disordered eating.

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