Peter Tankard
Research Proposal
11/4/20
Ketogenic Diet, Good or Bad?
Introduction
Raise your hand if you have thought about going on a diet before. Keep your hand raised if you want
to go on a diet but do not know which one to follow. If this sounds like you then this research paper
is specifically for you. This research paper will discuss one of the most popular diets in the world, the
ketogenic diet. The ketogenic diet is called the keto diet as well and is very popular around the
world, but is it healthy and what are the side effects? In this essay we will dive into the standard
ketogenic diet and answer these questions with the simplest terms possible.
In this research paper I will explain what the keto diet is in simple terms. I will also explain if it is
good or bad for a person and explain and show the side effects of the keto diet on the human body.
It is important to note that there are many different types of the keto diet however this research
paper is strictly about the standard keto diet and has no intended relation to the other types of diet’s.
This research is important because it affects many people’s health. It is also important because if the
keto diet is bad then people need to stop doing it in order to protect their own health.
Literature Overview
Before I discuss the effects of the keto diet it is critical that I explain what the keto diet is. The keto
diet is a diet that replaces the carbohydrates you eat, with fat (Mawer, 2020). Doing this puts your
body in ketosis. Ketosis is a process that occurs when the human body does not have enough
carbohydrates to use for energy so it resorts to fat and makes ketones in the liver (Cawley, 2017).
Ketones then go into the bloodstream and raise acidity levels and ultimately help you lose weight
and preserve muscle (Cawley, 2017). The keto diet rose to popularity in the 1920’s and 1930’s
(Mawer, 2020). This is a long time for a diet to be popular. Since it has been around for so long there
have been many studies done on the ketogenic diet. Different studies say different things however
based on the research I have conducted I found that the keto diet is a solid and safe way to lose
weight if done in the right way. If followed correctly the keto diet can help people lose weight, reduce
blood pressure, triglyceride levels and many other beneficial health conditions. With that being said
there are also many side effects to the keto diet. One of the side effects is the keto flu (Lagos,
Aganbi, Onuoha, 2017). The keto flu is the body’s reaction to the keto diet and goes away once the
body has adjusted to the diet (Mawer, 2020). It can cause the following: poor energy and mental
function, increased hunger, sleep issues, nausea, digestive discomfort, and decreased exercise
performance (Lagos, Aganbi, Onuoha, 2017). Another side effect is that it is extremely hard to build
muscle because the body does not have enough carbohydrates. Instead the body will preserve
muscle. The most important message I learned from my research is that if you start this diet it is
critical that you are in it for the long haul and not just a month or two because you will gain the
weight right back.
Research Questions
The research will aim to answer the following questions:
● What is the keto diet?
● Is the keto diet healthy or unhealthy?
● What are the side effects of the keto diet?
Method
The research method will be very thought out and only use credible sources. I will use databases
and websites to find my data. The data will then be written down in my notes and carefully analysed
to determine if it will go into the research paper or not. I will take into consideration the biased views
on the web and avoid all those cites. I will do this so it does not corrupt my view on the topic. The
review will cover the following:
● Definition of the keto diet
● If the keto diet is healthy
● Side effects of the keto diet.
Discussion
By studying the keto diet and figuring out how it works, if it’s healthy, and the side effects people now
have the ability to know if the keto diet is right for them. This will help many people lose weight safely
and consistently if they follow a strict diet and do it for a long period of time.
This research is essential in the modern world because people have access to all types of food and
can gain a lot of unhealthy weight quickly. The keto diet is a way for these people to make a change
and live a healthy, fit lifestyle again. Dietations also have a use for this research. They can use this
information to study and recommend for their patients. The ketogenic diet is not easy however it is
very effective for weight loss.
References
Cawley, T. (2017 Dec 02). The Pros, Cons of the Keto Diet. Boston Globe.
Lagos, V., Aganbi, A., & Onuoha, C. (2017 Apr 20). The Big Keto Fad - - the
Myths, the Facts. SIRS Issues Researcher. https://explore.proquest.com/
sirsissuesresearcher/document/2265938308?accountid=3785
Mawer, R. (n.d.). The Ketogenic Diet; A Detailed Beginner's Guide to Keto.
healthline. Retrieved October 22, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/
nutrition/ketogenic-diet-101
Grade Exceeds Meets Approaching Lacking
Components Expectations Expectations Expectations
Overview/ Paper has a The opening The intro vaguely The introduction
Introduction (10) descriptive title. introduces introduces the doesn’t really
The overview everything but topic. A title is match the topic
captures the lacks an missing or and focus of the
reader’s attention, attention-grabbing generic. rest of the paper.
indicates the opening. The title
intended is a little vague.
audience, and
provides a brief
overview of the
proposal.
Literature The literature The literature The literature The literature
Review (20) review is very review is relatively review is simplistic review covers
(Information on the comprehensive comprehensive and describes irrelevant material
topic) and describes and describes some relevant or is missing.
relevant material. most relevant material
material.
Research Specific research Research Some research No research
Questions (10) questions are questions are questions are questions are
included in the included in the included in the included in the
proposal and they proposal, and proposal, but they proposal.
are directly their connection to are unconnected
connected to the the material to the material
material reviewed reviewed in the reviewed in the
in the introduction. introduction is introduction.
good.
Methodology A methods section A methods section A methods section No methods
(10) clearly presents is present, and is present, but section is included
(procedure clearly the researcher’s only a few numerous in the proposal or
described, a plan, and the elements of the elements of the many key
comprehensive list of section is missing methods are methods are elements of the
source material none of the key absent or absent or methods are
provided, method(s) elements of the described described absent.
of analysis discussed, methods. insufficiently. insufficiently.
ethical issues
considered)
Discussion (10) A broad range of Some important Some implications No potential
implications are implications are are discussed, but implications of the
discussed that discussed, which they are not proposed study
connect directly to are connected to strongly are discussed.
the proposed the proposed connected to the
study and why it is study. proposed study.
necessary.
Works Cited: A properly An MLA Works An MLA Works No MLA Works
(10) formatted MLA Cited is attached Cited is attached Cited is attached
(2 database Works Cited which meets all but it does not or only URL’s are
sources + 1 other which meets all requirements, but meet all source listed.
credible source) requirements is it contains 1 or 2 requirements and
attached. formatting issues. contains
formatting issues.
Quality of Proposal exhibits Proposal exhibits Proposal exhibits Proposal exhibits
Diction/Writing sophisticated adequate diction, simplistic diction inappropriate
diction, clear and is easy to with little sentence diction, sloppy
(20) concise writing understand, and variety. writing and
with effective includes some sentence structure
sentence variety. sentence variety. issues..
Grammar, Writing observes Writing generally Writing has Writing poorly
Usage, & the grammatical observes the several observes the
conventions of grammatical mechanical errors grammatical
Mechanics (10) standard written conventions of and readability conventions of
English. Paper is standard written problems. standard written
free from English. Paper English.
distracting has a few
mechanical errors distracting
(grammar, mechanical errors.
spelling, and
punct). One or two
minor typos exist
but are not overly
distracting.
Total:
