Here's What an Olympic Gold Medalist Thinks About the Controversial Keto Diet

Just about everyone seems to vocalize an impassioned opinion on the Keto diet these days: Some hate it, some are tentatively trying it out, others are seriously loving it — and yes, plenty of celebs have gone on record saying it's just plain "dumb." Now, we have an Olympic gold medalist to weigh in with her thoughts on the controversial eating plan. 

When The Feast recently spoke to gymnast Laurie Hernandez, we had to ask her about the polarizing diet that's got everyone from Andy Cohen to Al Roker talking. 

Laurie has been competing since 2012, and her successful career led her to landing a spot on the U.S. gymnastics team for the 2016 Summer Olympics, where she won both a gold and silver medal. In addition to that, she also won Season 23 of Dancing with the Stars and she's the newest co-host of American Ninja Warrior Junior on Universal Kids. 

So, given her seriously impressive athletic career, Laurie has tried her fair share of diets and eating plans to sustain her frequent workouts and intense training sessions — even Keto. 

"I have tried Keto in the past," she shared. "I think it’s really based on preference and making sure that you’re doing it the right way and the proper way. When I had tried it, I definitely didn’t like it while I was doing it but coming back I think I had a big appreciation for food in a different light."

Although Keto didn't work for Laurie, she's adamant that it doesn't matter what eating habits you follow — as long as you're on a healthy eating plan that's sustainable and makes you feel good. "I think people want to try the thing that’s gonna help them look the best the quickest, but I think as long as you like what you see in the mirror and if you want that to change then that’s okay! Do it for you," she said. "But don’t do it for anybody else."

According to Laurie, the best diet is the one that makes you feel most confident. "I think that we are all – it sounds so cliché – but we’re all unique and we’re all so different in so many ways, and I think finding a way to embrace that and that being your choice – you know, whether you want to try Keto or if you want to do clean, healthy eating, if you want to try vegan, vegetarian, whatever it might be, as long as you are happy with yourself and what you’re eating I think that’s all that matters." Preach! 

To see more of Laurie, press play on the clip below to watch her attempt to complete the course from ANWJR, and catch new episodes Saturdays at 7/6c on Universal Kids.

— Reporting by Chantel Morel