Obesity in the United States is a major health issue resulting in numerous diseases, specifically increased risk of certain types of cancer, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular disease, as well as significant increases in early mortality and economic costs. We all wish there was a bulletproof answer on how to lose weight and they sure have lots of confusion over which best diet to follow in order to provide the best possible nutrition, weight control and longevity. How does one choose?

The game is on comparing keto diet vs a plant-based diet as these diets are the hottest diets of 2020 according Forbes. The keto diet is high fat and low carbohydrate eating plan. The keto diet is intended to induce a biological condition called ketosis. This occurs when the body, starved for glucose-producing carbohydrates, is forced to turn stored fat into organic compounds called “ketones” for energy. This diet plan sometimes prescribed by physicians to help manage some severe cases of epilepsy, a disorder involving seizures.

Here are a few health risks: (1) heart disease risk increases because it increases LDL (lousy cholesterol), may increase homocysteine levels and heme iron in the body (2) increase cancer risk because lack of macro and micro nutrients (3) poor long term weight control because non-sustainable (4) reduced atheistic performance because athlete has been known that high carbohydrates diet can enhance endurance during athletic events (5) gout because meat/poultry/eggs are high in purines, purines break down into uric acid, excess uric acid in the body causes gout (6) kidney stones because uric acid and calcium oxalate stones are more likely to form on high protein diet (7) osteoporosis because it increases loss of calcium in the urine (8) keto breath because it states in ketosis, it described as a cross between nail polish and over ripe pineapple.

The plant based or vegan diet is including mostly plants such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds and beans. Many scientists have found that plant-based diet provides adequate nutrition and offers many health benefits in the prevention and treatment for certain disease such as certain cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and is linked to longer life. For weight loss, which one is the best? If you want to lose weight really fast and see the numbers go down on the scale, studies show keto wins over plant based…at first. In the first few days and weeks you loose lean mass, water, or protein, not body fat. Studies have shown compliance with a keto diet drops by 42% over the course of 12 months. Keto restricts fiber, gut health thrives on high fiber. Gut health is important for our immune system and mental health. How does it stack up with a plant-based diet? Well, you may not drop pounds quite as quickly as on a keto diet, but a plant based diet comes out on top for sustainability, overall health benefits, and fat loss.

Genesis 1:29 NKJV – “And God said ‘See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.'” Counsels on Diet and Foods 374.1 -“The diet appointed man in the beginning did not include animal food. Not till the flood, when every green thing on the earth had been destroyed, did man receive permission to eat flesh.”

The human body can not run well on a keto diet. Just as your car runs best on certain type of fuel. The keto diet is not the fuel best for the human body. This diet can cause quite a few health risks over the long run.

God always offers the best diet for His children. A plant-based diet is the best diet for losing weight, and again, science confirms it. Make the best choice. By the grace of God, you will have an abundant life here and now, and eternal joy in the Lord.

Yin Schaff, Health Ministries Coordinator