
Eat fat to burn fat? It sounds counterintuitive, but that’s what makes the ketogenic diet so unique. Also called the keto diet, this low-carbohydrate, high-fat style of eating can help you feel energized and laser-sharp. It can even help you stay at a healthy weight—all while enjoying delicious, satisfying foods.
Read on to learn everything you want to know about this style of eating with our keto for beginners guide. We’ll cover the science behind how it works, detail the amazing benefits of the keto diet and offer tweaks that can help you manage minor keto side effects and stay in a state of ketosis.

You may have heard the old low-fat weight-loss mantra, “Fat makes you fat.” It’s actually not that simple. In fact, your brain and body benefit from healthy fats, regardless of what diet you follow. Eating keto means consuming fewer carbs and more fats, which changes which fuel your body utilizes for energy (fat instead of carbohydrates).
Think of your body like a hybrid car. With the standard American diet, you generally rely on carbohydrates, like bread and pasta, for fuel. Your metabolism turns carbs into glucose for energy and stores the leftovers as glycogens in your muscles and liver. But just like a hybrid can run on gas or electricity, your body has another source to make energy: fat!
The keto diet revolves around keeping carbs at a minimum, fueling up with quality fats like grass-fed ghee and butter and consuming a moderate amount of high-quality protein sources. And by following this eating approach, you can reap the rewards of ketosis.