Modified keto has become popular lately, and it seems to have evolved from the fact that keto is reportedly “difficult to follow” and “hard to stick with”. Well, I have to disagree with those statements about keto, but this seems to be the catalyst for keto 2.0.
The whole point of keto is to drop carbs low enough to switch the body back to fat burning (ketosis). Hence the name “keto”. It is a stricter version of LCHF (low-carb, high fat).
Modified keto is much higher in carbs, higher in protein, and lower in fat than keto. Recommendations vary, but they are generally around 20% carb, 30% protein, and 50% fat. For a 2000 calorie diet, that would be 100 g of carbs, 150 g protein, and 111 g of fat. For someone eating 2500 calories a day (average calories for men), it would be up to 125 g carbs and 187 g protein). Some variations even include some some grain and legumes.
In other words, NOT keto! And not even LCHF (low carb, high fat). The carbs are not low enough to put most people back into ketosis, so it should not be called keto. Some young people who are not insulin resistant may drop into ketosis, but the majority would not.
So why is it called modified keto or keto 2.0? Who knows, but keto is the biggest and most popular diet right now and has been for a while so I am sure any diet that adds “keto” to its name is likely to get interest.
But why not call it what it is? A moderate carb, lowish-fat, high-protein diet. Probably much healthier than the standard Australian diet, but nothing to do with keto.
Pic from The Fat Revolution Cookbook (my LCHF cookbook). If you are looking for keto, use the Easy Keto Cookbook.