Keto vs. Galveston Diet
You might have heard of the Galveston diet, an eating plan marketed specifically to menopausal women. Like keto, it relies heavily on fats — suggesting you get about 70 percent of your daily calories from healthy fats, 20 percent from lean protein, and 10 percent from carbs.
While prioritizing healthy fats is a positive step, severely cutting back on carbs can still cause issues. “One of the primary nutritional risks of a strict ketogenic diet is inadequate fiber intake, explains Page, noting that women already fall short of their recommended daily fiber targets,” which is a major concern for midlife and postmenopausal women due to rising cardiometabolic risks.
Carbs also feed your microbiome, which are living organisms that populate your intestines and keep you healthy. Plus, high-fat diets leave very little room for nutrient-packed, fiber-rich foods like beans, colorful vegetables, and fruits.
Instead of severe restriction, you can take the best parts of these plans and apply them to a more balanced approach. “Reducing refined sugars, focusing on healthy fats, and ensuring adequate protein are key keto elements to incorporate into a long-term Mediterranean-style plan for menopausal weight management,” says Alexander Zuriarrain, MD, FACS, a plastic surgeon and medical director of Hydrology Wellness in South Miami, Florida.
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