Does Mark Bell still use a ketogenic, low-carb diet?

Yes, Mark Bell continues to advocate for a low-carb, ketogenic-style diet, specifically through his “War on Carbs” approach. This diet emphasizes eliminating most carbohydrates, with a focus on

high-fat, moderate-protein foods. His dietary philosophy revolves around cutting out sugars and carbs, particularly from non-vegetable sources, to help the body run on fat for fuel.

While the “War on Carbs” approach is based on ketogenic principles, Bell tailors it for athletic performance. His diet isn’t strictly about maintaining a long-term state of ketosis but rather using keto-like phases to reduce fat and improve mental clarity. He allows some flexibility for athletes, incorporating targeted carbohydrates when necessary to support performance.

Overall, Bell’s diet encourages discipline and long-term habit changes, focusing on clean eating and cutting out processed carbs and sugars.

Mark Bell is a well-known powerlifter, entrepreneur, and fitness personality. He gained prominence through his involvement in the strength training and fitness world, particularly for creating innovative fitness products, such as the Slingshot, a training tool designed to help with bench pressing. Bell is also a prominent social media figure, sharing his journey in strength training, health, and nutrition, as well as hosting the podcast Mark Bell’s Power Project.

Mark Bell advocates for the ketogenic diet (a high-fat, low-carb eating regimen) primarily due to its benefits for fat loss, metabolic health, and mental clarity. After years of pursuing strength at any cost, Bell became more health-conscious as he aged, realizing that carrying excess weight and following a traditional high-calorie, carb-heavy diet led to health issues such as body inflammation, weight gain, and possibly reduced longevity.

Bell turned to a ketogenic or low-carb diet for several key reasons:

1. Fat Loss: The ketogenic diet promotes fat burning by putting the body into ketosis, a state where it primarily burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. This helped him shed excess body fat while maintaining muscle mass and strength.

2. Mental Clarity: He often mentions the cognitive benefits of the ketogenic diet, such as improved focus and energy levels throughout the day.

3. Reduced Inflammation: A low-carb, high-fat diet is often associated with lower levels of inflammation, which can be beneficial for joint health and recovery, especially in strength athletes.

4. Sustainable Energy: He claims that by relying on fat for fuel, his energy levels are more stable, avoiding the energy spikes and crashes that can come from a high-carb diet.

Mark Bell promotes his version of a ketogenic or “War on Carbs” diet, adjusting his approach depending on his fitness and health goals while encouraging others to explore low-carb lifestyles for their own physical and mental benefits.