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Keto: A Diet Without Rice, Bread or Noodles

2026.11.2
Image: Jenna Hamra @ Pexels

Imagine being told that you cannot eat rice, bread, noodles, potatoes or most sweets. For many people in Japan, that would be a difficult diet to follow. However, millions of people around the world have tried exactly this. The ketogenic diet, usually called the “keto diet”, has become popular among people who want to lose weight or change the way their body uses energy.

The basic idea is simple. Most people get much of their energy from carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are found in foods such as rice, bread, noodles, fruit and sugar. When we eat carbohydrates, our bodies break them down into glucose, which can be used for energy.

A keto diet is very low in carbohydrates and usually higher in fat. It also contains a moderate amount of protein. When a person eats very few carbohydrates for several days, the body begins to use more fat for energy. The liver produces substances called ketones, and the body can use these as another source of energy. This state is called ketosis.

One reason people try keto is weight loss. Eating fewer carbohydrates can reduce the amount of water stored in the body, so people sometimes lose weight quickly when they first start the diet. A low-carbohydrate diet may also help some people control their appetite because meals can contain plenty of protein and fat.

However, keto is not magic. Losing body fat still requires a person to use more energy than they consume over time. Some people also find the diet difficult to maintain because many common foods contain carbohydrates. Eating in restaurants or travelling can be particularly challenging.

There are other possible problems. A poorly planned keto diet may contain too little fibre or too many foods high in saturated fat. People may also experience headaches, tiredness or constipation when they first change their diet. For these reasons, the quality of the food is important. Vegetables, fish, eggs, nuts and healthy sources of fat can be better choices than simply eating large amounts of processed meat and cheese.

Keto is especially interesting in Japan because rice and noodles are such an important part of everyday food culture. For someone who loves ramen, sushi or a bowl of rice with dinner, following a very low-carbohydrate diet can require a major change in eating habits.

So, is keto a good diet? There is no single answer for everyone. Different diets work for different people, and health, lifestyle and personal preferences all matter. The most useful question may not be “Is keto good?” but “Is this a way of eating that I can maintain and enjoy for a long time?” What do you think?

Vocabulary

  • carbohydrate — a type of nutrient found in foods such as rice and bread

  • glucose — a type of sugar used by the body for energy

  • ketone — a substance produced when the body uses fat for energy

  • appetite — the desire to eat

  • maintain — to continue something over time

  • processed — changed from its natural form, usually during food production

Comprehension Questions

  1. What is the main difference between a normal diet and a keto diet?

  2. What happens to the body when a person eats very few carbohydrates?

  3. Why can keto be difficult for some people to follow in Japan?

  4. According to the article, what is a more useful question than “Is keto good?”


























Answers
1. Contains very low carbohydrates
2. The body uses fat for energy
3. Because rice and noodles are important in japan
4. It depends if it fits your lifestyle








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