Training & Nutrition - Keto diets

Do they mix with cycling. One of the primary reasons why I started riding was to lose body fat. I know these keto diets are very effective at this, especially after going through my last few biochemistry classes. My concern is will I be able to be effective/consistent cycling to/from school and in training on the weekends. My immediate goal is to complete a 100k by the end of this summer. Does anyone here have experience with the keto diets? Specifically the cyclic keto diets where you carb up every few days/week...

I'd say that my diet is high fat, moderate protein and low carbohydrate and my diet doesn't limit my cycling in anyway although I'm not counting anything or following any specific regime. I get enough carbohydrates in my diet from just regular vegetables. I avoid grains or really starchy vegetables such as potato's and I have carrots occasionally in moderation.

Regards, Anthony

Do they mix with cycling. One of the primary reasons why I started riding was to lose body fat. I know these keto diets are very effective at this, especially after going through my last few biochemistry classes. My concern is will I be able to be effective/consistent cycling to/from school and in training on the weekends. My immediate goal is to complete a 100k by the end of this summer. Does anyone here have experience with the keto diets? Specifically the cyclic keto diets where you carb up every few days/week...

It would help to know exactly how much you weigh, how much you're looking to lose, and your general condition.

My opinion is that any diet that isn't something you would want to follow for the rest of your life is one to avoid (with the exception of some short-duration (2-4 week) starting diets). Your goal should not to be short-term weight loss but weight loss that you can maintain. Low carb diets are especially bad because of the effect that they can have on lipid levels.

Choose a good healthy diet that you can stick to, fuel well during and after your exercise, and you can lose weight.

Note that it's hard to lose weight and improve performance at the same time.

Great advice from Eric above.

If a diet is a "diet" the results will be short term. If a diet is a lifestyle change, then you're going to keep the fat off.

A simple look at the energy used in an aerobic sport such as cycling should tell you that atkins or other ketosis (a medically unhealthy state, btw) generating diets aren't ideal. Under intense effort the body burns something lie 80% glycogen (stored carbs) and 20% fat. Under less intense efforts the level of fat burnt goes up to something on the order of 30-40% IIRC, but the total burnt will still be less than under more difficult loads.

This article, and Pollan's book are worth a read. Also, take a look at Joe Friel's cyclist's training bible for good sport specific nutrition tips.
"Eat Food. Not too Much. Mostly Plants." (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/28/magazine/28nutritionism.t.html?ei=5090&en=a18a7f35515014c7&ex=1327640400&pagewanted=all)