Al Roker's Keto Diet: Real Or Fake?

Al Roker has been very vocal about his weight loss journey and has credited the keto diet for helping him lose 40 pounds. The TODAY show star and weatherman has been a staunch supporter of the ketogenic diet, which involves eating high-fat and low-carbohydrate meals. Roker has shared his favourite keto recipes on Instagram and even cooked them on the TODAY show. He has also defended the keto diet against criticism from celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels, who questioned its effectiveness and safety. Roker maintains that the decision to try keto should be an individual choice, made in consultation with a medical professional.

Al Roker's weight loss journey

The keto diet has been somewhat controversial, with critics arguing that it is too restrictive and may lead to nutritional deficiencies. Celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels has been particularly vocal in her opposition to the diet, stating that it starves your cells and urging people to use common sense when making food choices. However, Roker has defended his decision to follow the keto diet, stating that his health has improved since starting it. He noted that his cholesterol levels and blood pressure are now in a healthy range and that he has been able to lose weight.

Roker emphasized that the decision to try the keto diet should be an individual choice, made in consultation with a medical professional. He acknowledged that there is conflicting scientific evidence regarding the benefits and drawbacks of the diet. While it has worked for him, he recognized that it may not be suitable or effective for everyone.

In addition to the keto diet, Roker has also attributed his weight loss to a regular walking routine. He has been a major advocate of TODAY's 30-day walking plan and shared that he has been doing about 100 grams of carbs a day and walking, which has helped him lose about 45 pounds in several months. Roker also incorporates some weight training into his routine and has completed a half marathon in New York City, power-walking the entire route.

Roker's weight loss journey has inspired many, and he has been open about his struggles and successes, providing a realistic and relatable perspective on health and fitness.

Keto diet controversy

The keto diet has been a topic of controversy, with celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels criticizing it as a "bad idea" and questioning its effectiveness and safety. Michaels, known for her appearances on "The Biggest Loser", expressed concern about the diet's high fat and low carbohydrate ratio, stating that it could lead to starvation and nutrient deficiencies.

On the other hand, Al Roker, a well-known personality, has been a staunch defender of the keto diet. Roker claimed that the diet helped him lose 40 pounds, and he emphasized that it was an individual choice that should be made in consultation with a medical professional. He shared his experience on TODAY, stating that his health had been great since starting the diet, with improved cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

The keto diet, short for the ketogenic diet, is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate eating plan designed to force the body to burn fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. While it has gained popularity for weight loss, it is originally intended as a medical diet to manage seizures in children with epilepsy. The diet is extremely strict, requiring 75% of calories from fat, 5% from carbohydrates, and 15% from protein.

The controversy surrounding the keto diet stems from potential health risks and sustainability concerns. Some experts argue that the high-fat content, especially saturated fats, can increase the risk of heart disease and negatively impact liver and kidney function. The diet may also lead to nutrient deficiencies, constipation, and social isolation due to its restrictive nature. Critics emphasize that it is not a sustainable long-term solution and may result in weight gain after discontinuation.

However, supporters of the keto diet, like Al Roker, highlight its effectiveness for weight loss and managing certain health conditions. They emphasize individual experiences and the importance of consulting with medical professionals before starting the diet. The keto diet remains a controversial topic, with ongoing debates about its benefits, risks, and suitability for different individuals.

Jillian Michaels' criticism of the keto diet

Celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels has been vocal about her criticism of the keto diet. She first criticized the diet in January 2019, calling it a bad idea and saying that it starves your cells and urging people to use common sense when making food choices. In an interview with Women's Health magazine, she expressed her confusion as to why anyone would think the keto diet is a good idea. She reiterated her stance on the "#Adulting" podcast with wellness expert Nikki Sharp and comedian Zack Peter, stating that the keto diet is bad for your overall health and wellness.

Michaels' main issue with the keto diet is its high-fat, low-carb ratio, which she believes deprives the body of essential nutrients. She argues that the diet is not a sustainable, long-term solution and that there are better ways to achieve weight loss and improve health. Michaels encourages people to eat a well-rounded, balanced diet with lean protein and fresh produce instead.

In response to Michaels' criticism, Al Roker, who has been a staunch defender of the keto diet, fired back on Twitter, calling out her promotion of "bullying, deprivation, and manipulation" on camera in the name of weight loss. Roker also stated that deciding to try keto should be an individual choice made in consultation with a medical professional.

Al Roker's response to Jillian Michaels

Al Roker responded to Jillian Michaels' criticism of the keto diet, which he has been following since September 2018. Michaels, a celebrity trainer, slammed the popular weight-loss regimen, saying it starves the body's cells of essential macronutrients. She called it a "bad plan, for a million reasons."

Roker, a staunch defender of the keto diet, took to Twitter to call out Michaels, referring to her stint on the weight-loss show "The Biggest Loser," where she was known for her no-nonsense approach to losing weight. In his tweet, Roker wrote:

> "So @JillianMichaels says #Keto is a bad idea. This from a woman who promoted on-camera bullying, deprivation, manipulation and more weekly in the name of weight loss. Now those sound like bad ideas."

Roker also spoke out about the controversy on the TODAY show, where he addressed his approach to the keto diet. He emphasised that the decision to try keto should be an individual choice, made in consultation with a medical professional. He stated:

> "My point is, what works for you, works for you. There's science on both sides that says it's not a great idea and science that says it is a great idea. I think it's up to people, with their doctor, with their medical professional (to make their own decision)."

Roker also shared that his health has been great since starting the keto diet, with improved cholesterol levels and good blood pressure. He has embraced the keto lifestyle, frequently sharing keto-friendly recipes on his social media accounts and cooking keto meals on the TODAY show.

Al Roker's keto recipes

Al Roker has been a vocal advocate for the keto diet, crediting it for his 40-pound weight loss and improved health. He frequently shares his favourite keto recipes on social media, including Instagram and Twitter, and has also cooked them on the Today show.

One of his go-to breakfast recipes is keto egg muffins. To make these, he beats six to eight eggs with a "dollop" of half and half or heavy cream. He then fills four to six spots in a jumbo muffin tin with the egg mixture and adds any leftover veggies he has (he used broccoli in one instance). He then tops the muffins with grated cheese and bakes them at 350 to 400 F for about 30 minutes, or until they're puffy and brown. Finally, he adds one more chunk of cheese on top and puts them back in the oven until the cheese melts.

Roker has also shared his favourite keto-friendly bread recipe, which has only two net grams of carbohydrates per serving. The recipe is from keto cookbook author and nutrition consultant Maria Emmerich. Here are the ingredients:

• 3 cups blanched almond flour (10 oz)
• 10 TBS psyllium husk powder (90 grams)
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp Celtic sea salt
• 5 TBS apple cider vinegar (2 oz)
• 6 egg whites (7 oz)
• 1 1/2 cup BOILING water (12 oz)

To make the bread, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Combine the flour, psyllium powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Mix until the dry ingredients are well combined. Add in the eggs and vinegar and mix until a thick dough forms. Then, add the boiling water and mix until the dough is well combined and firms up. Form the dough into a loaf and place it into a greased bread pan. Bake for 60-75 minutes, or until it's somewhat firm to the touch and has a nice brown crust. Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing and serving.

In addition to these recipes, Roker has also shared photos and videos of other keto-friendly meals he's made, including a sloppy Joe with keto-friendly rolls, steak with roasted orange and purple cauliflower, and lamb chops with asparagus and salad. He also shares his favourite keto-friendly snacks and has mentioned that he starts his mornings with a workout before making his keto breakfast.

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