Keto diet terms

Keto diet glossary

Confused about keto diet terms? Keto seems to have a language all its own. This keto glossary will help as you become adjusted to the keto WOL (way of life). If you have a question about a term that isn't listed here, let me know!

  • BPC: Bulletproof coffee. Technically a brand name of coffee, but generally used to describe any type of fatty coffee, typically served with butter or MCT oil.
  • Fat adapted: A condition in which the body uses fat as its primary fuel source. Also keto adapted. Learn how to tell if you're fat adapted.
  • HWC: Heavy whipping cream.
  • IF: Intermittent fasting. A practice in which food intake is reduced or restricted to certain times of day. Can aid in weight loss or improve overall wellness. Learn more about intermittent fasting here.
  • IIFYM: If it fits your macros. A diet in which any type of food is allowed as long as it fits within established macronutrient limits.
  • Keto adapted: See fat adapted.
  • Ketones: Compounds produced by the liver when the body burns fat, which can then be used as fuel.
  • Ketosis: A normal metabolic process where the body, lacking carbs to use for energy, burns fat instead, resulting in the production of ketones.
  • Lazy keto: A version of keto that is less structured, in which participants may not count their macros and may eat certain processed foods that would not be allowed on strict keto.
  • Macros: Macronutrients, which consist of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. Learn more about macros here.
  • NSV: Non-scale victory. Used to refer to a health goal that is unrelated to weight. For example, being able to wear certain clothes again, feeling more energetic, being able to discontinue certain medications, etc.
  • OMAD: One meal a day, a more extreme form of intermittent fasting.
  • Sugar alcohols: organic compounds that have less of an impact on blood glucose levels than other carbohydrates. Types of sugar alcohols include sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, isomalt, erythritol, glycerol, and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates. Generally safe to use on a ketogenic diet but can cause some gastrointestinal distress.
  • WOE / WOL: Way of eating / way of living. Often used to refer to the keto lifestyle in lieu of the word "diet."

 

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