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New diets are seemingly introduced each day, typically with some minor celebrity endorsement and a series of dubious claims. One diet that has stood the test of time is keto, which has exploded in popularity over the last few years, with promises of weight loss, improved blood glucose levels, and a host of other health benefits. And for some, the low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet has worked miracles, while others find it more restrictive and challenging to adhere to for the long term.
Joel Bikman, a long-time nutrition executive, and his scientist brother came to keto through the incredible benefits and the overwhelming amount of science behind the diet.
"The human clinical science on the benefits of a low-carbohydrate diet on improving insulin sensitivity, increased fat loss, improved brain health and much more is undeniable," Bikman says. "With all of the research out there, however, we've been able to see firsthand where a lot of people get keto all wrong."
Science behind keto
Bikman says the science behind the keto diet is well-established. "Your body can either use glucose or ketones for daily energy needs. The body readily uses glucose, which most people get in abundance from the high carbohydrates found in the standard American diet.
"But the terrible downside from your body trying to process that constant glucose load is that most people end up becoming insulin resistant, which leads to significant health and metabolic issues," Bikman explains. "In fact, a recent study showed that 88% of adult Americans are metabolically unhealthy — there's an urgent need for people to change how they're eating."
According to Bikman, ketones are a superior way of providing daily energy needs. "When you restrict carbohydrates, it forces your body to break down body fat into molecules called ketones," Bikman says. "This process — a state of ketosis — obviously reduces body fat, but also helps in many other noticeable ways, like increased energy, enhanced mental clarity, reduced craving for sweets and more."
Should everyone do keto?
With seemingly clear scientific support for the keto diet, the obvious question is, why isn't everyone doing it?
"It's true that most people would benefit from a low-carb or keto diet, though there are some reasons it doesn't work out for everyone," Bikman says. "However, those reasons have almost nothing to do with whether it works, instead people tend to struggle when there's insufficient education, inconsistent motivation, and inconvenience."
Where people go wrong with keto
"Getting started on keto can be overwhelming for some people," Bikman says. "Not only can it be challenging to learn the particulars of the new diet, but as your body adjusts to burning fat and ketones instead of glucose, you may even temporarily feel worse before you start to feel better."
Bikman says a bit of education — and understanding that it can take up to a few weeks to feel better on the new diet — will make all the difference for new and current keto followers.
Don't fear protein
There is abundant debate on protein in and out of the Keto community. "Some people consume protein to excess in an effort to build or maintain muscle," Bikman says. "While others avoid protein because they think it will kick them out of ketosis."
"To oversimplify things, let's just say that both camps' debates aren't based in complete, current science," Bikman says. "Too much protein does spike glucose, and some of the protein would be wasted; however, too little protein may reduce muscle mass and cause other issues."
For keto adherents, Bikman shares that the little-known hormone glucagon is the saving grace to not fearing increased protein consumption. "Glucagon helps counteract the insulinogenic effect of protein. A good rule of thumb is to consume roughly 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of ideal body weight every day.
"People should know that not all proteins are equal," Bikman says. "Beef, eggs, collagen and salmon are among the best protein sources and backed by human clinical studies, while most plant proteins will be inferior due to the incomplete amino acids and the anti-nutrients naturally found in plants that prevent absorption of nutrients."
Eat the rainbow of (healthy) fats
Bikman is quick to add that protein should always be consumed with fat, just as nature intended.
"There's an almost 'divine' one-to-one ratio of protein and fat in nature's perfect foods," Bikman says. "Eggs and beef, for instance, have roughly one gram of protein to one gram of healthy fat. By consuming fat and protein in equal parts, the protein actually works better, you keep insulin levels low, you'll feel fuller, and stay in ketosis."
What concerns Bikman is that many Keto followers consume too much of one or two types of fat. "You see people who are over-consuming bacon, or heavy cream, or MCT oil. Those have a wonderful place in a diet, but you're just not getting the full spectrum of essential fats that your body needs and thrives on," Bikman says.
"For optimal health benefits, we encourage people to 'eat the rainbow' of healthy fats from short-, medium- and long-chain sources. Conversely, we should avoid processed seed and vegetable oils as they are the most prevalent in processed foods and do real harm to our health."
Using research to help others
"Ideally, we all would have the knowledge, time, discipline and budget to plan, purchase and prepare perfect meals," Bikman says. "But it just doesn't happen; people get busy, they get stressed and they make unhealthy choices that derail their health goals."
It became apparent to Bikman that they could be part of the solution to help people achieve their best health more quickly, and especially to assist those that don't always have the time, knowledge or discipline to eat healthy. In response, they created HLTH Code Complete Meal.
Bikman says these carefully formulated meal shakes are designed to keep people in ketosis and promote healthy weight management, gut health, brain health, even hair, skin and nail health. HLTH Code Complete Meal features an optimized, science-backed blend of protein, collagen, a full spectrum of healthy fats from short-, medium- and long-chain sources, apple cider vinegar, probiotics, fiber, vitamins and minerals—with no added sugar or any artificial ingredients.
"HLTH Code Complete Meal is based on research, not fads," Bikman explains. "An incredible amount of work went into making this nutritionally balanced and optimized, yet we worked just as hard to ensure that it tastes really good so that people would use them consistently."
A satisfying, nourishing meal
When it comes to eating, Bikman says it's easy to consume plenty of calories and still feel hungry. This is because the calories consumed are not the right types of calories to provide essential nutrition. He refers to this as "mis-nourishment" and he says it's ruining many people's health.
"Each HLTH Code Complete Meal shake is packed with optimized amounts of protein, healthy fats and more to leave you feeling full and energized for hours," Bikman says. "Yet it's faster and cheaper than virtually any meal you could make or buy."
Bikman says the shakes are quick and easy to make: Just add two scoops of Creamy Vanilla or Chocolate Macadamia Complete Meal Powder to 8 oz. of cold water and shake or blend. For general wellness, he recommends replacing one meal daily. To reset your health or for weight loss, replace up to two meals per day.
"These are by FAR the BEST meal replacement shakes I've EVER had. and I've tried many. These win by a long shot. They taste like heaven PLUS they're keto friendly, and I'm keto so win, win, win. 100% HIGHLY recommend them. Couldn't love them more," writes one reviewer.
Another reviewer shares, "They are tasty. In addition, they fill me up and keep me full for the entire afternoon. I have managed to pass a weight loss plateau by using these as my lunch every day at work."
Can HLTH Code make keto easier?
According to Bikman, the best health starts with the right blend of nutrition. Increased energy; feeling more vibrant; a stronger immune system; a clearer mind; improved gut health; and an improved appearance are some of the benefits from improving one's nutrition.
"The comprehensive benefits of HLTH Code Complete Meal are especially helpful if you're trying to lose weight," Bikman says. "Weight loss is rarely easy. There has to be the right changes in both hormones and caloric balance to signal to the body that it's time to start burning, not storing, fat."
Bikman adds that based on the best available studies on human metabolism, along with exercise, HLTH Code Complete Meal helps people lose weight without the need for counting every calorie.
Satisfaction guaranteed
If you're nervous about trying something new and making changes to your nutrition plan, don't be. Bikman stands by his HLTH Code Meal Replacement products and is willing to guarantee your satisfaction.
"You have nothing to lose (except those extra pounds) and everything to gain—in terms of wellness and confidence," Bikman says.
Indeed, if you've been looking for improved wellness and healthy weight management, then HLTH Code Meal Replacement could well be your answer. For exclusive savings on your first order, visit getHLTH.com and enter the discount code KSL at checkout.
