The keto diet is in the spotlight for all kinds of reasons these days. With reports of many health benefits, including fat loss and mitigating a variety of medical conditions and risk factors, including metabolic syndrome, epilepsy, obesity, high blood-sugar levels (i.e. blood glucose), heart disease, and type 2 diabetes, more people are turning to the low-carbohydrate diet. If you spend any time being keto, researching keto, or immersing yourself in the keto community, you’ll quickly notice there are some commonly used terms, abbreviations, and acronyms. But what do they mean exactly? We solve the mystery here with the following list. Check it anytime you want clarification on unfamiliar keto terms.
AS
Short for “artificial sweetener” and commonly used to describe sweeteners that have reduced or zero carb-count. Learn which artificial sweeteners are top-rated for keto.
ACV
Apple Cider Vinegar. ACV is often used as a dietary aid as well as a cooking ingredient.
Bio-Individuality
In relation to the keto diet, this concept addresses the fact that every body is unique and consequently reacts to foods and diet differently; each person has individual nutritional requirements that work best for them and their unique anatomy, metabolism, body composition, and cell structure. Learn more about bio-individuality.
BMI
This stands for Body Mass Index. BMI is a measurement of your weight with respect to your height, though it’s most commonly used as an indicator of your total body fat. An approximation rather than an exact number, it’s calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters and then squaring it.
BMR / RMR
This is your basal metabolic rate, also called your resting metabolic rate. The terms are used interchangeably. These rates are defined as the bare minimum amount of energy your body requires to perform its most basic functions, such as produce cells, breathe, and pump blood.
BPC
A nickname for bulletproof coffee, also known as ketoproof coffee. BPC is a popular morning beverage among the keto community and intermittent fasters (see “IF” below). Made with coffee, butter, and MCT oil (see below) mixed in an emulsion blender, it’s a good way to help up your fat content and give you a “full” feeling for the morning.
Carb Threshold
The maximum amount of daily carbs a specific person can eat and still remain in ketosis. This number varies from person to person due to bio-individuality. The Keto-Mojo meter is the most accurate way to learn what your carb threshold is.
CI / CO
This stands for Calories In/Calories Out and is one of the biggest debates surrounding using a ketogenic diet for weight loss. The theory is that calories consumed must be less than the calories used for energy in order for weight loss to occur. Many ketonians contest this theory.
Electrolytes
The technical definition of electrolytes is minerals in your body that conduct an electric charge. They basically keep everything running smoothly when they are balanced; and when they are not, you may feel fatigued, have heart palpitations, get muscle cramps, and more. Since a keto diet is a natural diuretic, it’s important to ensure you are getting enough electrolytes; the most important ones to focus on while keto are sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Learn more about electrolytes here.
EVOO
A short cut for “extra-virgin olive oil”
Fat-Adapted
The goal of a keto diet is to be “fat adapted,” or to have completely transitioned from burning carbs (sugar) for energy to burning fat (ketones) for energy. It generally takes four or more weeks of consistently being in ketosis to become fat adapted. Learn about the top 7 ways to know you’re fat-adapted here.
Fat Bomb
A popular keto treat, fat bombs are made with ingredients that are rich in good fats (think nut butter, MCT oil, cream cheese, dark chocolate, etc.). They are commonly used to help you up your fat content for the day or get a quick hit of energy in one or two delicious bites. Usually shaped like bonbons, they’re made in a variety of flavors and are typically sweetened with a zero-carb sweetener, but fat bombs don’t have to be sweet; they can be savory, too. On the keto diet, it’s not uncommon to need a small, easy fat boost to keep up with your recommended daily macros. Fat bombs are a great way to get it. Here is a great fat bomb recipe you can easily make at home.
GF
A popular abbreviation of the term gluten-free.
Gluconeogenesis
This describes when the body creates carbs (glucose) from fat and protein. Learn more about Gluconeogenesis here.
GKI
Also known as the glucose ketone index, the GKI is a single number that gives an indication of your overall metabolic health. It’s determined through a simple equation that uses your glucose level and ketone level. Learn more about GKI here. Calculate your GKI here.
HIIT
Also known as “high-intensity interval training,” this is a popular type of contemporary workout that features short bursts intense exercise intermingled with rest or lower-intensity exercise.
HWC
An acronym for heavy whipping cream which is a welcome ingredient or coffee addition on the ketogenic diet.
IF
Short for intermittent fasting, which is an intentional eating pattern where you cycle between stretches of time when you’re eating and stretches of time when you’re fasting. There are a variety of different intermittent fasting methods, but all of them split each day or week into eating periods and fasting periods. Learn more about IF here.
IIFYM
This stands for “if it fits your macros” and refers to a concept and a less restricted, flexible keto meal plan style that’s focused on tracking macronutrients (macros) rather than calories.
IR
This relates to insulin resistance, which describes a condition when the body’s cells cannot properly respond to the hormone insulin. Learn more about insulin resistance here.
KCKO
Short for “keep calm, keto on” 🙂
Keto Flu
Unpleasant short-term side effects that occur while transitioning from a carb-heavy diet to a ketogenic low-carb diet. Symptoms can include fatigue, headache, dizziness, irritability, nausea, and more. Learn about the keto flu and how to treat it here.
Ketosis
A metabolic state where an individual has raised levels of ketone bodies in their blood. Ketones are an alternative energy source for the body; they’re generated when the body is short on glucose (sugar/carbs). Learn the top 10 signs you’re in ketosis here.
Ketoacidosis
This is also referred to as DKA, or diabetic ketoacidosis, because it almost exclusively happens to type 1 diabetics. Ketoacidosis is when the body shows dangerously high levels of ketones combined with very high-blood sugar, which can change the normal functioning of internal organs, such as your liver and kidneys. Learn more about ketoacidosis here.
LCHF
Short for low-carb, high-fat, this acronym sums up one of the most important elements of the ketogenic diet; it’s often used when describing keto-friendly foods.
Macros
Short for macronutrients; your daily caloric intake for the keto low-carb high-fat diet, broken into categories of optimal fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. They are also your literal map for keto success. (Conversely, micronutrients are more focused on the vitamins and minerals in your food.) Learn more about Macros here.
MCT
Short for Medium-chain triglyceride. This term is most commonly used in relation to MCT oil, a popular oil usually made from coconut oil or palm oil that’s used in the keto community that’s said to help boost metabolism. When MCTs are metabolized, they’re immediately converted into ketones. Learn about MCT oil here.
Net Carbs
The total grams of carbohydrates in any given food minus its grams of fiber and sugar alcohols. (The sugar alcohols and fiber are not counted as carbs because they are not digested by the body.) Tracking and moderating your net carbs helps you manage your keto diet and lose weight. Learn more about net carbs here.
NSV
This stands for a “non-scale victory,” meaning progress or accomplishment that is not reflected by declining numbers on the scale. Many keto support groups share NSVs to encourage one another when the scale numbers are not declining as quickly as desired.
PCOS
An abbreviation of the medical term polycystic ovary syndrome, an autoimmune condition that may be mitigated by a ketogenic diet.
SAD
“Standard American Diet.” The “sad” acronym seems appropriate considering the majority of calories in America’s diet come from processed sugar-laden foods, while less than 10 percent are from healthy whole foods.
SF
This stands for sugar-free.
WOE
“Way of eating”- a term people use to reference their own specific diets.
We hope the above information helped you in your keto journey, whether it’s for losing weight, ensuring you don’t overdo your daily carb intake, or specific health benefits!
