The sheer number of diets available for one to choose from is enough to leave anyone confused and indecisive. They all claim to have a wealth of benefits and there are always success stories with each diet.

So, which one diet is the best for you?

In this article, we’ll compare the keto diet with the paleo and low carb diets, both similar in structure and analyze the pros and cons. This will allow you to make an informed decision.

Our choice is the keto diet… but you’ll have to decide for yourself.

The Macros

The standard keto diet – Typically made up of 75% fat, 20 % protein and 5% carbs, emphasizing a strict no more than 20g of carbs as well.

The paleo diet – There are no fixed macronutrient ratios on a paleo diet, but paleo diet sources tend to agree that macros should be around 20% carbs, 30% protein and 50% fat

The low carb diet – Can vary a bit but is recommended to be made up of about 30-40% fat, 40-50% protein and 10-25% carbs.

Now that we’ve gotten the numbers out of the way, let’s see the impact each diet has on your body.

The Keto Diet

The keto diet will put your body in ketosis in about 5 days or so, if you adhere to the rules strictly. When you’re in ketosis, your body burns ketones for fuel. It’s a clean fuel source and you’ll feel more energetic, and dieters usually notice increased mental clarity.

In order to stay in ketosis, your blood sugar levels must be low and stable. This is the fundamental principle of the diet and it’s exactly what makes the keto diet so powerful. By controlling the insulin hormone, it eliminates a lot of problems.

A good tool for testing ketones is by a urine strip, easily available at some health stores or online.

The Paleo Diet
With the paleo diet, you’ll be eating a lot of unprocessed food – meats, vegetables, seeds and whole foods. At 40% carb intake, you typically won’t get into ketosis, but some dieters have unintentionally hit ketosis as well.

The paleo diet also includes excess amounts of protein which can further elevate insulin and potentially cause weight gain if not carefully monitored. Unfortunately due to the higher carb and protein intake, it may cause your digestive system to be taxed more than that of the keto diet.

The Low Carb Diet
Utilizing a low carb diet, is actually one way that keto dieters slowly wean themselves out of ketosis without weight gain. Being mindful of the benefits of low carb without being in ketosis. While you may not be in ketosis, your body will still reap the benefits of a lower carb intake – reduced inflammation, energy and blood sugar stabilization.

Many people will gradually enter a low carb diet after they’ve lost their desired weight goal on the keto diet. As a diet itself, it is still a great choice as you will see similar benefits to ketosis, however the results may take more time to notice.

Determining Your Goals
The diet you choose should align with your goals. If you wish to lose weight fast, gain mental clarity and enjoy eating a variety of foods, the keto diet is a great choice.

If you are looking to adhere to a more clean, unprocessed, organic type diet while losing weight gradually, the Paleo diet may be a good choice. However, it can be a bit restrictive on foods, as it emphasizes a very clean unprocessed diet.

And finally, if you’re looking to also lose weight gradually while having a bit more flexibility with your food options, Low Carb can be a great choice. Low carb offers much of the same health benefits of ketosis, with more variety of foods.

Whatever your goals are, it’s important to remember that there is no “best” diet. It involves a lot of knowing yourself and your body, your tolerance and ability to adhere to specific guidelines. It’s about finding the “best” diet for you as an individual. Health is not a one size fits all!