Chapter 9:
The Standard Ketogenic Diet
The standard ketogenic diet (SKD) is what most think of as the ketogenic diet. It is a diet
low in carbohydrate, and moderate-high in both protein and fat. Since the SKD forms the basis of
the next two diets, it is discussed in detail. This includes a discussion of the effects of the
macronutrients (carbohydrate, protein and fat) on ketosis, as well as discussions of how to
determine optimal carbohydrate, protein and fat intake. Additionally, the effects of alcohol and
other nutritional substances (such as caffeine and aspartame) on ketosis is discussed.
Section 1: Macronutrient intake
on the ketogenic dietAny diet which restricts calories will alter the intake of nutrients. This includes changes in
caloric intake, the macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, fat) and the micronutrients (vitamins
and minerals). Micronutrients were discussed in the last chapter, and only caloric intake and
macronutrients are discussed here.
Calories and weight loss
Although discussed in detail in Chapter 8, the basic idea of calories and weight loss (as well
as fat loss) is mentioned again here. One of the prime selling points of many low-carbohydrate
diets is a dieter can lose weight while ‘eating as much protein and fat as they like’. While this is
loosely true, this was misinterpreted by dieters and physicians alike to claim that dieters would
lose weight eating unlimited amounts of foods.
This idea was criticized by the American Medical Association (AMA) as it seemed to
suggest that a ketogenic diet could somehow break basic laws of thermodynamics (1). The AMA
was correct that it is impossible for dieter’s to lose weight while consuming unlimited calories.
However, looking at the research on ketogenic diets, we see that most individuals will
automatically reduce their caloric intake when they restrict carbohydrate to low levels.
Therefore, in a sense individuals are losing weight eating ‘as much as they like’, it is simply that
they are eating less than they think.
Studies of ketogenic diets have found that, when subjects are told to limit carbohydrate
intake but to consume ‘unlimited’ quantities of protein and fat, they automatically limit caloric
intake and consume between 1400-2100 calories (2-4). Any diet which automatically reduces
caloric intake without inducing hunger is going to be attractive to dieters.
While early studies, discussed in detail in the previous chapter, were interpreted to show