Let's compare Galveston Diet VS Keto Diet – two diets that are good options if you want to lose weight.
But you might have trouble choosing between them.
In that case, we should take a closer look at both of them:
- Are they suitable for everyone?
- Which one is safer?
- Is one of them more affordable to uphold?
Let's go through these questions and see what the verdict is.
Note: This article is based on my research on the Galveston Diet & Keto Diet.
Galveston Diet VS Keto Diet (In A Nutshell)
Keto Diet and Galveston Diet both require that you consume as little carbs as possible.
Through this, they help your body convert fat stores into fuel (instead of glucose).
This article is all about comparing the two to help you decide between them:
- Keto is better if you are looking for fast results.
- In terms of safety, Galveston is somewhat preferable.
- If you're looking for the slightly more bearable option, Keto is the one.
- Keto is also the one that can be used by more people.
- Moreover, Keto is also more suitable from a financial standpoint.
Still – this doesn't make Keto a healthy way to lose weight.
Quite far from it, in fact.
You will find that these two regimens are more similar that you'd think.
So this makes them both rather unsuitable, really.
They are both quite strict and run the risk of causing nutritional deficiencies.
But you will have to let go of a good chunk of your current meals.
Honestly, your body benefits best from a balanced diet.
But if you really want to give either diet a shot, be prepared for a tough journey. You're likely going to need a lot of self-discipline in order to stick to it.
Besides, there are quite a few health risks associated with both diets.
That being said, neither of these two diets is ideal, as far as health is concerned.
Overall, I would advise you to look for something safer.
#1 – Results – WINNER: Keto Diet
So, let's get to the main reason why you're here.
Which one of the two diets is more efficient when it comes to weight loss?
Additionally, do they also bring any other benefits?
Answering these questions will help us establish which regimen is better from this perspective.
Actually, you might find that they are more similar than you would think.
But let's take them one by one so that it's easier to follow.
1. Galveston Diet
This regimen is mainly for women who are 40+ and going through (peri)menopause.
If you want all the details regarding this diet, feel free to read our article about the Galveston Diet.
As such, it claims that weight gain is caused by hormonal imbalance and inflammation [1].
Naturally, its guidelines aim to solve these issues specifically.
Basically, it encourages you to eat low-carb, high-fat foods.
This will help your body burn fat for energy instead of glucose. Essentially, you enter what is known as a state of ketosis [2].
If you do this for long enough, you may reach a point where you no longer gain weight.
However, it's no good for you to be in ketosis for prolonged periods of time.
But weight loss is not the only perk of this diet:
- makes menopause symptoms more bearable
- reduces inflammation
- balances hormones
- improves quality of sleep
- lowers the risk of diabetes
As you can see, Galveston diet has plenty of other advantages up its sleeve.
However, keep in mind that this food program is best for menopausal women. Those who are younger may not get to enjoy the experience fully.
2. Keto Diet
First of all, take note that Keto is quite complex and there are many different versions of it.
But this article is going to take a broad approach for the sake of being succinct.
Here's what you can expect from a Keto diet:
- weight loss
- lower blood sugar levels
- less cravings
- more energy
- alleviates symptoms of epilepsy (especially seizures) [3]
In other words, Keto is definitely beneficial for epileptic people. But, of course, it has advantages that go beyond that niche.
As you may already know, Keto is way more popular as a means to lose weight.
That fact alone speaks for itself.
Besides, Keto seems to tackle weight loss directly, without tying it to a health condition.
In truth, it's quite similar to Galveston in terms of how it operates.
This means that Keto also induces ketosis.
Therefore, shedding extra pounds with either Keto or Galveston is just as easy.
Conclusion
In truth, these dietary approaches are not too different. For this section specifically, you could go with either option.
If anything, perhaps Keto wins by a hair just because it is more rigid.
Thus, it gives faster results.
But take care, as this is not always healthy.
#2 – Safety – WINNER: Galveston Diet
Now that we have addressed what you're most interested in, let's move on to more serious matters.
Obviously, some diets may be so strict that they put your health at risk.
Is this the case for either of the 2 diets mentioned in this article?
Well, let's find out together.
1. Galveston Diet
First of all, Galveston diet promotes intermittent fasting.
This aspect alone is enough to make it risky for quite a few people.
Generally speaking, this may very well increase the risk of overeating [4].
Not to mention that intermittent fasting also prevents you from having a stable meal schedule.
This can lead to nutritional deficiencies, which can prove dangerous if unresolved [5].
It can cause your bodily functions to work improperly.
Keep in mind that not only do you have to stick to fasting, but you also have to consume very few carbs.
While understandable, carbs are also necessary for healthy digestion.
So you might run into some issues of this sort if you eliminate them too drastically.
Overall, a diet this restrictive may cause indigestion, especially in the beginning.
2. Keto Diet
As I previously said, Galvestone diet seems to be based on Keto.
Both induce ketosis, yet they retain some differences.
However, as far as safety is concerned, neither option is necessarily suitable.
It is a known fact that many people who start Keto face quite a few struggles:
- fatigue
- headache
- constipation
- bad breath
The above symptoms are known as “Keto flu” [6].
People say it goes away after a while, but you have to be prepared to go through it and tough it out.
But that's not all – Keto diet poses other threats to your well-being.
Given its restrictive nature, much like the Galveston diet, it can also lead to a lack of essential vitamins.
This effectively weakens your system and can create more serious problems down the line.
On top of that, it can also raise cholesterol levels.
So if you already have any problems relating to your heart…
It's probably best that you stay away from Keto [7].
This diet is also not suitable for people with liver and/or kidney issues.
Conclusion
We already established that neither option is ideal, that much is certain.
However, Galveston diet is perhaps a bit better, simply because it doesn't pose quite as many threats.
Still – both diets are fairly rigid, which is rarely a good thing for your body.
Just make sure to tread carefully when it comes to such diets.
#3 – Ease of Use – WINNER: Keto Diet
Results and safety aside, how easy is it to follow these two eating programs?
Let's see – is the list of foods that are off-limits too much?
How about the window of time dedicated to eating, does it make everything more bearable?
Or are you going to feel like you're starving?
Let's analyze these details one by one.
1. Galveston Diet
There's quite a bit to know about this diet…
Firstly, we need to remember that this diet proposes a period of fasting of 16 hours. That leaves you with 8 hours in which you can eat.
Obviously, that's quite imbalanced, so you might feel quite hungry when the eating period finally starts.
Normally, you're supposed to stick to your goals and not overeat…
But do you see how this schedule makes it very easy for temptation to kick in?
That makes this diet dangerously difficult.
However, it compensates by not banning a whole lot of foods.
For instance, you have to avoid foods that are traditionally known to be unhealthy (e.g. fast-food).
Other than that, you are allowed to eat foods that are whole and fresh:
- dairy products
- lean meats
- vegetables
- fruits
- nuts
- healthy fats
So you likely won't have to worry about what to eat.
It's fairly good that you won't be restricted to just a couple of dishes that you have to cycle through, after all.
2. Keto Diet
Similarly, there are quite a few rules when it comes to Keto.
In short, you have to make an effort to cut down on carbs while prioritizing protein and healthy fats.
Let's take a quick look at what you're allowed to eat:
- veggies (only those low in carbs)
- nuts & seeds
- meat
- seafood
- fish
- eggs
- high-fat dairy
To make everything easier, perhaps it would be best to create a meal plan with these foods.
That way you know what to eat each day, lowering the risk of running out of options.
But it also depends on which version of Keto you are following.
Some are more lenient than others, so make sure to do some research.
As a general aspect, however, fasting is not required!
Conclusion
Keto Diet is perhaps better just because it doesn't involve fasting.
However, if that part doesn't bother you, perhaps you wouldn't mind either option.
Still, it is true that fasting over-complicates an already strict regimen.
So that's why Keto wins this section.
#4 – Versatility – WINNER: Keto Diet
This goes without saying, but not every diet is suitable for just anyone.
Sometimes a certain diet targets a specific demographic.
Is this the case for any of the diets in this article?
Let's find out in this section.
1. Galveston Diet
If you didn't already know, Galveston Diet was mainly created to help (peri)menopausal women.
So that is the specific group that this regimen caters to.
If you read through the origin story of this diet, you will find out that it was created by an OBGYN.
The reason was simply to help with weight loss while also navigating the problems posed by hormones in this stage of a woman's life.
It's good that they target a specific group of people instead of letting you guess whether the diet is for you.
The guidelines of the diet reflect this, as it mostly focuses on anti-inflammatory foods.
Not to mention that whole, fresh foods are good for you at all times…
But especially when you are going through something such as menopause.
2. Keto Diet
Here are the types of people who can freely give Keto a try:
- those with epilepsy
- everyone who is overall healthy
In short, if you are not epileptic and prone to seizures…
It's best that you only give Keto a shot if you don't have any underlying health conditions.
That's because Keto can end up making everything worse through nutrient deficiencies and such.
Plus – remember that there are several versions of Keto.
So if you want to narrow it down, you can totally find something more personalized.
But regardless of which version you choose, they all have one thing in common.
You have to keep carbohydrates to a minimum!
Conclusion
In terms of how universality, Keto wins out.
Being healthy and free of any serious health conditions is a fairly broad requirement.
Not to mention that Keto can also be used by men, which cannot be said for Galveston.
In short, Keto is more likely to garner more followers due to the above reasons.
#5 – Cost – WINNER: Keto Diet
It's time to talk money – after all, this aspect should not be ignored.
Let's get right to it and see which diet is friendlier to your wallet.
So – which of the two is more suitable even for a tight budget?
1. Galveston Diet
Unfortunately, you have to pay a fee in order to gain access to the resources available on the website:
- Original Online Program – $59
- Online Program Plus Digital Tools – $99
- Platinum Coaching – $49.99/month (50% off for the first month)
As you can see, these are far from affordable.
Of course, there is the advantage that once you pay up, you have unlimited access to the materials.
Except for the coaching subscription, obviously – that is a recurring payment.
The first two options are not all that different, save for the fact that the latter also gives you everything in an online format.
The premium option includes live sessions and various tools that help you track your progress.
While it could help you stay motivated, it is true that it's very expensive.
So definitely think twice before giving your money.
2. Keto Diet
Given that we are looking at a regimen that is very protein-based, things can vary:
- high-quality meat can be quite expensive
- not very many plant-based options
Of course, there are also details such as your local prices to take into account.
Unlike Galveston, Keto has all its guidelines plastered all across the web.
So there's no need for you to pay up just to find out what you have to do!
In addition, it's fairly easy to get your hands on the foods that are approved by this diet.
The only downside is that buying high-quality meat can easily get fairly expensive.
Still, it's not as bad as other options out there.
Conclusion
If you're interested in spending as little money as you can…
Perhaps you could make a case for Keto.
While buying lots of meat is not exactly the most affordable option…
It certainly helps that there is no additional fee like there is for Galveston!
Final Conclusion
As we have seen, Keto diet is generally more preferable on all fronts:
- strict enough to lead to significant weight loss
- doesn't require fasting
- more universal than Galveston diet
- also more cost-efficient
Basically, the only advantage Galveston has would be in terms of safety…
But even then, there's no huge difference.
All in all, the two diets are very similar, the only significant difference being the target demographic.
Keto is more versatile, whereas Galveston is intended specifically for women who are 40+ and going through menopause.
Other than that, not much to be observed, unless fasting is a deal-breaker for you.
Still, while Keto is better compared to Galveston…
I wouldn't say any of the two are particularly healthy ways to lose weight.
If you're looking for a decent diet that gives results without compromising your health…
Perhaps you should look more.
References:
1 – https://galvestondiet.com/the-galveston-diet/
2 – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-28599043/
3 – https://www.epilepsy.com/-treatment/dietary-therapies/ketogenic-diet
4 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-pmc/articles/-PMC2850570/
5 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-pmc/articles/-PMC3595318/