ketogenic diet

noun

variants or keto diet

plural ketogenic diets or keto diets

: a diet that supplies large amounts of fats, moderate amounts of proteins, and minimal amounts of carbohydrates and that is undertaken for weight loss or to control seizures in treatment-resistant epilepsy

Note: As the body is deprived of carbohydrates in the ketogenic diet, insulin secretion drops and glycogen stores in the body become depleted. The body then enters a state of nutritional ketosis where ketone bodies formed by the metabolism of fatty acids replace glucose as the primary energy source.

A ketogenic diet, says [Robert] Atkins, burns one's fat stores and uses them as a source of fuel.

—Lisa Teresi Harris

The keto diet can be restrictive and requires that you carefully measure out the various macronutrients—fat, protein and carbohydrates—to keep your body in ketosis and gain the benefits of the diet.

—Elaine K. Howley

The center offers the latest medical and surgical treatments as well as the ketogenic diet—a special high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that helps control seizures in some people.

—The New York Times Magazine

Examples of ketogenic diet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Though pineapple can be a part of a healthy diet for people with diabetes, those following a ketogenic diet may need to avoid it. —Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 24 June 2025

Each person may have a different motivation for starting a ketogenic diet. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025

This article refers to a lower-carb diet than traditional carbohydrate amounts recommended in MyPlate, Mediterranean, or DASH patterns, but not as low as a ketogenic diet. —Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 29 May 2025

The ketogenic diet, also called the keto diet, is a low-carbohydrate, moderate-protein, high-fat diet. —Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ketogenic diet

• disquiet
• panchayat
• unquiet
• guyot
• piet
• quiet
• riot

Kids Definition

ketogenic diet

noun

variants or keto diet

ˈkēt-ō-

: a diet usually for weight loss that is high in fats and low in carbohydrates

Medical Definition

ketogenic diet

noun

variants or keto diet

: a diet that supplies large amounts of fats, moderate amounts of proteins, and minimal amounts of carbohydrates and that is undertaken for weight loss or to control seizures in treatment-resistant epilepsy

Note: As the body is deprived of carbohydrates in the ketogenic diet, insulin secretion drops and glycogen stores in the body become depleted. The body then enters a state of nutritional ketosis where ketone bodies formed by the metabolism of fatty acids replace glucose as the primary energy source.