A dietary approach that combines principles of both ketogenic and flexible eating strategies is gaining traction. It involves adhering to a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet most of the time, similar to a ketogenic regimen, but allows for occasional, strategically planned deviations to incorporate higher-carbohydrate foods. This aims to achieve metabolic benefits associated with ketosis while providing more dietary flexibility.
The appeal of this approach lies in its potential to improve adherence compared to strict ketogenic diets. The periodic inclusion of carbohydrates can make the eating plan more sustainable long-term, potentially easing social challenges and reducing feelings of restriction. This may also help mitigate some common side effects associated with initial ketogenic adaptation while still promoting weight management and improved metabolic health.