Following a keto diet is a popular way to diet, with many fitness models and bodybuilders who swear by it religiously. So what is Keto and how does it work? Keto is a low-carb, high-fat diet where consumption of carbohydrates is significantly reduced and replaced with fats. This reduction in carbohydrates puts your body in a metabolic state known as ketosis. In other words, your body becomes incredibly efficient in burning fat and generating energy.
Over the years, the ketogenic diet has gained a significant number of supporters partly due to its many alleged health benefits; these include lower blood sugar and insulin levels, weight loss, increased metabolism, and profound neurological benefits.
Note: The ketogenic diet is not suitable for everyone. Consult your doctor and seek professional guidance before you make any drastic changes to your diet.
On the other hand, the majority of your meals will surround different types of food that include:
- Red meat
- Fatty fish (salmon, trout, tuna and mackerel)
- Eggs, butter, cream, and cheeses (unprocessed cheese, preferably)
- Healthy oils such as coconut oil, avocado oil, or extra virgin olive oil
- Low-carb vegetables (peppers, onions, tomatoes, etc.)
- Assorted nuts and seeds
- Avocadoes
As it seems, a ketogenic diet can be overwhelming at first, but once you get the hang of it, it won’t be as tough. Now, the question is, can you do both halal and keto?
As mentioned in the opening, some argue that maintaining a keto diet is not halal, because Muslims should not restrict themselves from what is permitted. The argument is supported by the statement in the Qur’an, where Allah SWT says: “[66:1]
“…why do you prohibit [yourself from] what Allah has made lawful for you…?”
It would appear from this that the two certainly cannot coincide. If we take the snippet of text in isolation, it does seem to be the case. This rationale, however, is problematic. Our deen must be taken holistically, and we must not cherry pick verses, or ignore others relevant to the topic.
When approaching any legal discussion, all of the facts must be considered. When we do this, we find a much different picture being represented.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “I do not eat lizard, but I do not prohibit its eating.” [Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 5536]
The Prophet (ﷺ) never criticized any food (he was invited to) but he used to eat if he liked the food, and leave it if he disliked it. [Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 5409]
From the above, we find a more complete story regarding the topic. It is permissible to have a preference for foods that one may enjoy, and to refrain from those foods which one does not like.The Prophet used to love to eat gourd, and loved vinegar as a condiment. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “What an excellent condiment vinegar is.” [Grade : Sahih (Darussalam) Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1839]
It was narrated that Anas said: “The Prophet (ﷺ) loved (to eat) gourd.” [Grade : Sahih (Darussalam) English reference : Vol. 4, Book 29, Hadith 3302]
Those who argue that Halal and keto diets cannot mix are rebutted by the example of the our prophet. It must also be noted, however, that one should not make that which Allah SWT has made halal into something haram, nor make that which He has made haram into something halal. In essence, this means that the permission relies upon the niyyah, or ‘intention’. If ones intention is to be healthy by refraining from carbohydrates, then this is also Halal. But if ones intention is to make it forbidden because they believe it is wrong for people to eat carbohydrates, then this is not halal. In essence, the argument all depends upon your perspective.
