ketonista

A ketonista is a person who follows a ketogenic diet, a nutrition approach that emphasizes high fat, moderate protein, and very low carbohydrate intake to induce ketosis.

The term combines ketone or ketosis with the suffix -ista, a pattern used to describe adherents of a practice or movement.

Practices typically involve limiting carbohydrate intake to about 20-50 grams per day, with fat making up roughly 70-75% of daily calories and protein around 20-25%. Foods common to a ketonista's diet include meat, fish, eggs, dairy, oils, nuts, seeds, and non-starchy vegetables; fruit, grains, and processed sugars are generally avoided. Some follow alternative forms such as cyclic or targeted ketogenic diets and monitor ketosis with urine strips or blood ketone meters.

Potential benefits cited by adherents include weight loss and improved blood sugar or triglyceride levels for some individuals. However, systematic evidence varies across outcomes, and long-term safety remains uncertain for the general population.

Side effects can include the "keto flu" during adaptation, constipation, nutrient deficiencies, and changes in lipid profiles. The diet may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions, and medical supervision is advised for those with diabetes, liver or pancreatic disease, kidney disease, or pregnant or breastfeeding individuals.

In online communities and lifestyle media, ketonistas share recipes, meal plans, progress updates, and tips for maintaining ketosis, sometimes blending keto with fitness or biohacking themes.