Basic
Ketogenic Diet
The starting protocol for anyone who wants to begin ketogenic nutrition independently. General information, basic rules, diet types, and sample menus. Original document Gabriel Peșa / Bralgei Shackry.
The Ketogenic Diet — The Core Principle
During the ketogenic diet you feed yourself with fats, proteins, and minimal fibre to force the body to trigger the ketogenesis mechanism. The result is the production of ketones, which will be used as fuel instead of sugar.
The human body produces energy (ATP) using 2 types of fuel: sugars/carbohydrates or lipids/fats converted into ketones. Ketones, as a type of chemical energy, are more powerful and more sustainable long-term than energy produced from sugars.
It takes at least 4 days for the ketosis process to begin. The ketogenic diet must be followed in cycles — with periods of refeeding with quality carbohydrates. Nothing is set in stone. It is adapted on a case-by-case basis.
Macronutrients — The General Formula
Types of Ketogenic Diet
Few carbohydrates (5–15%), high fat (65–75%), protein (20%). The starting variant for beginners.
Very few carbohydrates (5%), high fat (75%), protein (20%). The classic and most documented variant.
5–6 days strict keto, 2 days break with few quality carbohydrates (sweet potato, beans, rice). The most sustainable long-term.
No carbohydrates — exception at well-chosen moments of intense energy (training sessions). Suitable for athletes.
During the week I follow SKD. On Saturday and Sunday I eat a few more carbohydrates — for the pleasure of taste. Balance is everything. Nothing is set in stone.
Basic Rules
- As minimally processed as possible — plain meat, plain cheese, plain vegetables, as they are in nature. No E numbers, no ingredients with 100 elements on the label. That is the secret.
- Keto is not used long-term without cycles — it is an efficient tool, not a permanent lifestyle in extreme form. Breaks of 1–2 days are necessary from time to time.
- Snacking is not recommended — meals in keto must be substantial, filling, and preferably at fixed times. Maximum 2 meals per day.
- Breakfast is not recommended — or eating before 11–12 am. The first meal must be zero carbohydrates. ZERO.
- Last meal before 8:00 PM — do not go to sleep less than 3 hours after the last meal.
- In the first part of the day — water, water with lemon, ginger tea or other unsweetened vitalising teas.
- If hunger is intense — ayran or kefir with salt. 1–2 portions can keep you satisfied for hours. It is water, salt, fat, and a little milk. It is keto.
- Between meals — vegetable juices or nuts and seeds with high fat content (unroasted). The equivalent of one handful per day.
Basic Foods
Sample Menus
Most of the time I eat only dinner — scrambled eggs and leaves or a roast and large amounts of leaves. That is all. I occasionally have an ayran around lunchtime and take plenty of essential amino acids which genuinely keep hunger at bay and nourish the body, muscles, and brain.
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Download free PDF — Appendix 12