What Do All These Keto Acronyms Mean?

Sep 1

Who doesn't love acronyms? They're quick, concise, and just make sense. From LOL to OMG, they've become a regular part of our daily vocabulary. And now there's another one that is gaining traction: Keto-curious? It's all about the ketogenic diet! If you are thinking about starting a keto diet but don't really understand what it means, this article is for you! Let's take a look at some common terms and acronyms related to the ketogenic diet so you can better navigate your options.

AS - Artificial Sweetener

This is the type of sugar substitute that you use in your iced coffee or tea. It's a prevalent ingredient among those who follow ketogenic diets because it doesn't raise blood glucose levels as other sweeteners do.

BF% - Body Fat Percentage

This is the percentage of fat that you have in your body. Fat mass is measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. It can be used to monitor weight loss or gain, especially when combined with other measurements such as BMI (body mass index) and waist circumference.

BG - Blood Glucose

This is your blood sugar level. When you eat carbohydrates, they break down into glucose, and the pancreas releases insulin to help move that glucose through the bloodstream for energy. Your body uses this type of fuel first because it's fast-acting.

BPC - Bullet Proof Coffee

This is a popular way to start your day. It's basically ground coffee mixed with medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) and unsalted butter - this gives you an energy boost without the high of caffeine.

CICO - Calories In Calories Out

This is an old-school dieting strategy that has been around for ages. It's all about the math: if you take in fewer calories than you need, the equation will work out, and your weight should decrease over time.

CW - Current Weight

This is the weight that you currently are. You should always look at this number before starting any new diet to get an idea of where your baseline is and how much room for improvement there may or not be.

GW - Goal Weight

This is the weight that you're aiming for. The goal weight should be something achievable but not too drastic to reach, and it should also include a reasonable timeframe of when you want to achieve this.

HF - High Fat

This is a term that you may see on food labels, and it means the product contains more fat as opposed to carbohydrates or protein. It's not always mandatory for products to have this but if they do, then know that these are foods rich in healthy fats such as omega-unsaturated fatty acids (Omega-FAs).

HIIT - High Intensity Interval Training

This is a type of exercise that alternates between high intensity bursts and then periods of recovery. It has been proven to be time-efficient, effective for weight loss or building muscle, and in addition, it doesn't require any equipment other than your own body.

HWC - Heavy Whipping Cream

This type of cream is called heavy because it has a higher fat content than light or sour cream. If you're looking for something to put on your ketogenic meal, then this might be the one for you!

IF - Intermittent Fasting

This is a type of dieting where you don't eat for a set period of time and then consume all the calories that your body needs during another. It's especially popular because it helps people feel fuller despite eating less and has other benefits like increased longevity and improved energy levels.

IIFYM - If It Fits Your Macros

This is a dieting strategy where you pick your own food items and simply make sure that they fit within the macronutrient requirements that work with what's most important to you.

IR - Insulin Resistance

This is where your body doesn't respond to insulin appropriately, and it's often a precursor to type II diabetes. It can be managed through diet, exercise, and medication, but the consequences could be dire if left untreated.

Lazy Keto - Many variations, typically means not tracking all macros or calories

This is a fun way to refer to keto because it doesn't necessarily mean that you want your diet to be lazy. Instead, the term means that you're not tracking all of your macros or calorie intake and instead relying on intuition rather than strict rules when deciding what food items are best for you.

LBM - Lean Body Mass

This is the amount of muscle mass that you have throughout your body. It can be measured by a scale, but it's also possible to get an estimate through your height and weight or a tape measure.

KM - Keto Macros: Macronutrients, consisting of Protein, Fat, and Carbs

This is a term that refers to the three main categories of nutrients in food. According to most keto diets, protein and fat are essential for maintaining good health, while carbohydrates can be a necessary part of your diet but should not make up more than 20% or so per day.