How the keto diet's five-day meal plan can reboot your body and mind this January

Ready for a health reset? Hannah Twiggs learns about the benefits of keto and a new, easier approach to cutting carbs

- Hannah Twiggs

January often feels like the month of dietary redemption. After weeks of indulgent roasts, endless cheese boards and the steady stream of festive drinks, many turn to the latest health trends in search of balance. From juice cleanses to intermittent fasting and vegan “detox” plans, there’s no shortage of options for those seeking a reset. But among the crowd, the ketogenic diet continues to stand out – offering a structured, science-backed approach to transforming not just the way you eat but the way your body fuels itself.

First developed in the 1920s as a treatment for epilepsy, keto has evolved far beyond its medical origins. The diet’s central premise is simple but radical: by drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and prioritising fats, you force the body into a state of ketosis, where it burns fat for energy instead of glucose. Advocates tout benefits ranging from weight loss to increased energy and mental clarity. Now, a new book, 28 Days Keto, co-authored by Lisa Butterworth and Caroline Hwang, aims to make this once-intimidating diet accessible to everyone.

“It’s always challenging to shift habits and patterns, especially when it comes to diet,” Butterworth says. “But it’s much easier when the decision-making is alleviated, which is what having a daily meal plan does.” And alleviated it is. The book presents a full 28 days of meticulously planned meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner all sorted, with weekly shopping lists and prep tips thrown in for good measure. It’s a formula designed to leave readers little excuse to deviate.