CrossFit & a Keto Diet – The Perfect Combination?

CrossFit offers the benefits of stronger muscles, more efficient lungs, and an overall ability to do more work faster than you could before.

Like the paleo diet or zone diet, it is most commonly used by people trying to lose weight. But there are certain circumstances where people use the diet to improve performance as well.

After a period of 3 to 10 days (it varies depending on the person), your liver will start producing ketone bodies (also called ketones), which your body then uses for fuel instead of glucose.

Foods like nuts, healthy oils like coconut and olive oil, other coconut products, and the natural fats found in meats (like fish or beef) help fuel the majority of the diet.

Anyone with experience can tell you that having energy is an essential component of CrossFit. It’s very hard to get through a difficult MetCon workout or get through a strength training session with exercises like squats and farmer’s walks if you aren’t eating enough food—which is why eating plenty of fat on keto is essential.

This way, you get about 25g of carbs to fuel your workout efforts, and then get some carbs after your workout to boost recovery. (Studies show eating some carbs and protein after a workout is essential for maximizing your post-workout nutrition.)

The rest of the time you can look for high-fat alternatives to normally carb heavy foods, like this keto sushi recipe.

Protein is a powerful nutrient that helps rebuild muscle. It’s also crucial for regulating hormones and for keeping you full longer after meals.

Some studies have shown that a high-fat, low-carb diet can greatly reduce or reverse poor metabolic health, which can lower your risk from a whole host of other diseases.

The keto diet promotes lots of protein and fiber, two nutrients that help rebuild muscle and promote satiety after meals (essential for weight loss).

After an initial adjustment period, many keto dieters say they have more energy from living in ketosis than they did when eating carbs.

Many users report side effects like nausea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, constipation, and most pertinent of all, difficulty exercising when they go keto initially.

Also, if you’re an endurance athlete (or just like long chipper WODs), you may find it hard even after you adjust to complete longer workouts on keto. Your body may simply not have enough energy to perform a hundred kettlebell swings or run several miles. (Although keto supplements like exogenous ketones may help.)

Read Also: Best Keto Fiber Supplements

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