
The Keto Diet
07/06/21 • 55 min
14 Listeners
So long, root vegetables! This week, we dive into the strange and surprising history of the 100-year-old ketogenic diet. Along the way, we encounter a Victorian bodybuilder, an infamous podcast bro and the possibility of a bad Meryl Streep performance (!). Get in, loser, we're counting macros!
Support us:
Links!
- What Is the Keto Diet and Does It Work? (NYT)
- The Ketogenic Diet for Weight Loss (Today’s Dietitian)
- Meet the Wackiest Billionaire Ever to Run for President (Money)
- Trailer for "First, Do No Harm"
- Keto Diet History - How the Ketogenic Diet Went Mainstream (Men's Health)
- 7 Dangers of the Keto Diet | Health.com (Health Magazine)
- 15 Keto Diet Side Effects to Know – Possible Keto Diet Dangers (Prevention)
- Ketogenic Diet May Lead to an Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes (The Physiological Society)
So long, root vegetables! This week, we dive into the strange and surprising history of the 100-year-old ketogenic diet. Along the way, we encounter a Victorian bodybuilder, an infamous podcast bro and the possibility of a bad Meryl Streep performance (!). Get in, loser, we're counting macros!
Support us:
Links!
- What Is the Keto Diet and Does It Work? (NYT)
- The Ketogenic Diet for Weight Loss (Today’s Dietitian)
- Meet the Wackiest Billionaire Ever to Run for President (Money)
- Trailer for "First, Do No Harm"
- Keto Diet History - How the Ketogenic Diet Went Mainstream (Men's Health)
- 7 Dangers of the Keto Diet | Health.com (Health Magazine)
- 15 Keto Diet Side Effects to Know – Possible Keto Diet Dangers (Prevention)
- Ketogenic Diet May Lead to an Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes (The Physiological Society)
Previous Episode

Oprah Winfrey & "John of God"
Special guest Kimberly Springer joins us to talk about an infamous, dangerous faith healer and his two — two! — appearances on Oprah's talk show. This episode contains, we're sorry to say, detailed descriptions of sexual assault.
Buy Kimberly's books:
- Stories of Oprah: The Oprahfication of American Culture
- Living for the Revolution: Black Feminist Organizations, 1968-1980
Support us:
Links!
Next Episode

School Lunches, P-Hacking and the Original "Pizzagate"
This week we're diving into one of the biggest-ever scandals in nutrition research. For nearly two decades, Brian Wansink's Food and Brand Lab told Americans that lower weights, healthier workplaces and better school lunches were just a few small tweaks away. Then, in 2015, he wrote a blog post and it all came crashing down.
Support us:
- Hear bonus episodes on Patreon
- Donate on PayPal
- Get Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers, face masks and more
Links!
- A Credibility Crisis in Food Science
- Statistical heartburn: An attempt to digest four pizza publications from the Cornell Food and Brand Lab
- Brian Wansink: Data Masseur, Media Villain, Emblem of a Thornier Problem
- The Wansink Dossier: An Overview
- More Evidence That Nutrition Studies Don’t Always Add Up
- Here’s How Cornell Scientist Brian Wansink Turned Shoddy Data Into Viral Studies About How We Eat
- False-Positive Psychology: Undisclosed Flexibility in Data Collection and Analysis Allows Presenting Anything as Significant
- Death of a Veggie Salesman
- The Strange, Uplifting Tale of “Joy of Cooking” Versus the Food Scientist
- Moms, “Food Fears” and the Power of the Internet
- The science behind Smarter Lunchrooms
- You Can’t Trust What You Read About Nutrition
- Energy balance measurement: when something is not better than nothing
- Scientific method: Statistical errors
- Effect of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act on the Nutritional Quality of Meals Selected by Students and School Lunch Participation Rates
- 9.67 Degrees of Deception
Maintenance Phase - The Keto Diet
Transcript Summary
In this episode of Maintenance Phase, the hosts delve into the popular and controversial world of the ketogenic diet. They explore its roots as a treatment for epilepsy, its rise in popularity for weight loss, and the marketability of the diet. However, they caution listeners about the challenges of sticking to its strict restrictions and the potential side effects, including keto flu, bad breath, and reduced cognitive function. They discuss the importance of critically evaluating primary sources, the socioeconomic barriers associated with the diet, and the need to prioritize overall health and sustainability. The hosts also touch on the fascinating history of unconventional health practices and the role of individuals like Bernarr Macfadden. Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into the keto diet, debunking myths and encouraging a thoughtful approach to health and wellness.
Transcript
Mike: Hello, and welcome to Maintenance Phase, the podcast that butters your coffee.
Aubrey: [laughs]
Mike: That’s a thing, right?
Aubrey: Yeah, I mean, sure.
Mike: I'm Michael Hobbes.
Aubrey: I'm Aubrey Gordon. If you'd like to support the show, you can do that at patreon.com/maintenancephase. We also have T-shirts at TeePublic. Both of those things
The Keto Diet Top Questions Answered
What is the keto diet and its origins?
The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that forces the body into a state of ketosis. It originated in the 1920s as a treatment for epilepsy.
Why has the keto diet become popular?
The keto diet gained popularity through media coverage and podcast discussions, particularly by figures like Tim Ferriss and Joe Rogan.
What are the negative side effects of the keto diet?
Negative side effects of the keto diet can include keto flu, bad breath, keto crotch, muscle loss, and potential issues with the liver, kidneys, and gallbladder.
Is the keto diet sustainable long-term?
The keto diet is not considered sustainable long-term, and its weight loss benefits tend to be similar to other diets after 2-6 months.
What are some alternative diets recommended for overall health?
Experts rank the Mediterranean, DASH, and Flexitarian diets higher for overall health than the keto diet.
Are there any risks associated with the keto diet?
The keto diet has been linked to an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, early death, and the development of eating disorders.
How expensive and time-consuming is it to follow the keto diet?
The keto diet can be costly and time-consuming to follow due to the specific dietary requirements and restrictions.
What role did podcasts like Joe Rogan's play in popularizing the keto diet?
Podcasts like Joe Rogan's played a significant role in popularizing the keto diet among a certain audience due to their high number of listeners and influence.
How did the keto diet gain attention as a treatment for epilepsy?
The keto diet gained attention as a treatment for epilepsy through research in the 1920s and subsequent studies in 1998 and 2001.
What is the history of the ketogenic diet for epilepsy treatment?
The ketogenic diet was found to reduce seizures in 95% of cases, but its popularity declined in the late 1930s with the introduction of more effective anticonvulsant drugs.
Show more Questions

Show more Questions
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/maintenance-phase-168293/the-keto-diet-15262615"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to the keto diet on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy