15 Best Keto-Friendly Starbucks Drinks to Order

Yes, you can lose weight on the keto diet, if that’s your goal — but it’s far from a well-rounded, or even healthy, style of eating. “Originally designed to help patients with epilepsy, a strict keto diet guides you into ketosis by eliminating significant food groups that you may normally enjoy on a daily basis, including healthy carbohydrates that are part of a balanced diet,” explains Stefani Sassos, MS, RDN, deputy director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab and GH’s registered dietitian. “While keto dieters may lose weight, it can come at the expense of a sudden surge in ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, which can be harmful to your heart.”

In fact, the messaging that “carbs are the enemy” is longstanding diet language that’s outdated and worth rebranding — because carbs are actually your body’s preferred source of fuel, and it’s okay and important to eat them, Sassos says. The key is to focus on nutrient-dense carbs like fruits, vegetables and whole grains that offer fiber, antioxidants and more nutrition benefits.

Editor’s note: Weight loss, health and body image are complex subjects — before deciding to go on a diet, we invite you to gain a broader perspective by reading our exploration into the hazards of diet culture.

But if you do follow the keto diet for medical reasons or under the care of your physician, it can definitely be challenging to navigate the world of eating out. That’s because choices…