The ketogenic - or ‘keto’ - diet is an eating plan that is very low in carbohydrates (10 percent), moderately low in protein (20 percent) and high in fats. It shares many similarities with the Atkins diet. Research indicates that this kind of diet can help you to lose weight, with one study finding that it was particularly effective for older adults, who lost around five times more total body fat in just eight weeks, compared with those on a low-fat diet.

The keto diet provides many health benefits. It may have preventive effects against cancer, as well as heart disease, by lowering diastolic blood pressure and triglycerides. It is thought to play a role in slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, as well as diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), because it causes reductions in blood sugar and insulin.

Replacing most dietary carbohydrates with fat puts the body into a metabolic state called ketosis, where it becomes incredibly efficient at burning fat for energy. It also turns fat into ketones in the liver, which can then supply energy to the brain – which is why people on a keto diet often say that they have more clarity and focus.

Foods which form the basis of the keto diet include meat, fatty fish, dairy foods (butter, cream, cheese), eggs (preferably those which have been enriched with an omega-3 feeding program), ‘good’ oils (extra virgin olive oil, coconut and avocado), and low-carbohydrate vegetables (leafy greens, capsicums, tomatoes, onions). Foods high in carbohydrates must be avoided, including sugary foods, most fruits (although berries may be eaten), low-fat foods, sugar-rich root vegetables, wheat-derived cereals, bread and pasta, rice, beans and legumes. Apple cider vinegar is an excellent addition to a keto diet, because it promotes fat burning and weight loss, decreases blood sugar levels, increases insulin sensitivity and improves cholesterol levels.