ketogenic diet

American  

[kee-toh-jen-ik dahy-it] / ˌki toʊˈdʒɛn ɪk ˈdaɪ ɪt /

noun

1. a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet that causes the breakdown of fats into ketone bodies, which consequently replace carbohydrates as the body’s main source of energy: used as a regimen for weight loss, the ketogenic diet is also used to control certain medical disorders or episodes, especially epileptic seizures in children.

---

Etymology

Origin of ketogenic diet

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

This led her to explore whether a ketogenic diet could help restore the body's ability to adapt to exercise.

From Science Daily • Mar. 9, 2026

She also points out that following a ketogenic diet can be difficult.

From Science Daily • Mar. 9, 2026

The secretary also recently declared that the ketogenic diet can cure schizophrenia, a fringe idea that has been rejected by every expert in the field.

From Salon • Feb. 19, 2026

Researchers from University of Utah Health have published new findings in Science Advances that examine the long-term effects of the ketogenic diet.

From Science Daily • Jan. 27, 2026

The animals were assigned to one of four diets: a high-fat Western diet, a low-fat high-carbohydrate diet, a traditional ketogenic diet where nearly all calories came from fat, and a protein-matched low-fat diet.

From Science Daily • Jan. 27, 2026