Once again, the keto diet was one of the year's biggest trends. The appeal? "Eating healthy fats, proteins, and a very low amount of carbs can help you lose weight and decrease your risk of [weight-related] problems like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol," Dr. Nesheiwat said. But it's not quite as clear-cut as that. The clinical evidence on keto is minimal, and if you don't pick the right fats and proteins, you could be doing more harm than good. Experts have expressed concern that too many saturated fats on keto could actually raise your cholesterol and increase your risk of heart disease.
Because the keto diet is still so new, it's hard to say how it might affect your overall health or if it's a realistic solution for long-term weight loss. That's why it's important to talk to your doctor before you start keto to make sure it's the right move for you.