Keto

[Simplemind]

Has anybody here tried it? We just watched The Magic Pill and it gave a lot of food for thought. No pun intended.

[ApatheticNoMore]

I suspect it needs to be done with a lot of care (like veganism some might say, ok but veganism doesn't make you immediately sick generally, even if there are long term risks if not watching micronutrients, so actually MORE carefully than veganism!). Like carefully as in consume a lot of supplemental fiber or something. Because I ended up after a few days in lots of stomach pain (and constipated but not just constipated also horrible stomach pain maybe caused by that) and yet I held out for awhile on the diet, went to bed constipated and in pain only to wake up the same way. Tried to increase fiber grams through food. I was to the point of wishing my body just worked in the normal way, to have a normal functional body back. Well I did when I ditched that diet ha!

But something more moderate might be great? Oh sure, but I'm not sure that's really ketosis at that moderate point but just a lowerish carb diet.

So never did worse on any diet, maybe I should have avoided dairy as well or something and it would have worked better. Maybe, I suspect dairy is not great for me but I can handle it on a normal diet even if it's not ideal. Anyway, I actually have NO DESIRE to *EVER* try an actual ketogenic diet again. If I had to get into keto for some reason, well I'm more favorably inclined to fasting than that diet, it can be difficult, but it's not painful beyond the hunger pangs at least.

[Yppej]

I have been doing a version of it for almost a year and lost the 20 pounds I wanted. I do not count up my carbs but do minimize them. Once I hit my weight loss goal I have added in a few, like occasionally a potato fried with my eggs and yesterday I had some plantains.

As a vegetarian I eat non-root vegetables, radishes, berries, nuts and seeds, oils, avocado, olives, seaweed, legumes, dairy, eggs, coffee, tea, and unsweetened almond milk in my coffee at home. This is different than most people who eat a lot of meat on the diet.

My cholesterol has gone up to borderline but my good cholesterol is high also so my doctor is not concerned.

I do need to try to emphasize the veggies more to keep my digestive system passing the food along smoothly.

[lmerullo]

I will not be trying it. Years ago I did Adkins and had great success in weight loss. About six months in my kidneys failed and the Dr said I nearly died. I dont remember it so dramatically, but it was a big enough scare to keep me away from similar diets.

[SteveinMN]

I eat non-root vegetables, radishes, berries, nuts and seeds, oils, avocado, olives, seaweed, legumes, dairy, eggs, coffee, tea, and unsweetened almond milk in my coffee at home. This is different than most people who eat a lot of meat on the diet.
People who are eating a lot of meat are not eating ketogenic. Keto calls for a calorie distribution of around 70/25/5 percent fats/protein/carbohydrates. I've been eating pretty close to keto for the last year or so and I can't eat much more than maybe 3-4 ounces of meat protein at a meal and stay within the percentages.

When I started eating keto, I did suffer "keto flu", which is, in part, the body getting used to many fewer grams of carbohydrates and and the loss of electrolytes (sodium, magnesium, and potassium). Drinking lots more water and bumping up your electrolyte intake (and even your fat intake) is key to minimizing keto flu. It passes after a few days and I now have energy levels and a steadiness to my blood glucose levels that I never had before and I've enjoyed steady and sustainable weight loss.

[Tenngal]

I am low carbing. No sugar, potatoes, pasta. Limited crackers and bread.

I've seen positive changes in how I feel and lost weight.

No more afternoon slumps or acid reflux.

I love sweets so this is challenging for me.

[JaneV2.0]

Ketogenic diets have been found to reverse diabetic kidney failure in rodents:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3080383/

That study was quickly buried; I guess Pharma and the dialysis industry didn't like it.

I think ketogenic plans and IF (intermittent fasting) can both be therapeutic. A combination of low carb and IF will be my next experiment.

[Simplemind]

I am not measuring or counting. We just cut out wheat, rice, corn, potatoes, all processed food and sugar. We have been eating clean with a lot of vegetables so there has been no constipation issues.
This started after we got back from our vacation to the south and felt horrible after eating all the fried and carby food. Watched the movie and decided to try it. I would say we aren't hard core and are easing into something towards keto but not strict. Felt horrible and tired the first two weeks but in the past few days we are popping out of it, feeling better, both down about 10lbs (water I'm sure) and DH's blood pressure has gone down about 10 points. The past two days the energy has returned and things are looking up. We have a big breakfast of scrambled eggs with cheese, veggies and bacon. We have been able to cut out lunch because we are still full and get hungry around 5p when we have dinner which is a protein with lots of veggies and fat. Lots of water and replacing electrolytes. So far so good.

[Teacher Terry]

I also ended up pretty sick from Atkins diet years ago. All our bodies respond differently to food

[JaneV2.0]

I also ended up pretty sick from Atkins diet years ago. All our bodies respond differently to food

I expect that widespread DNA testing will render all the n=1 experimentation unnecessary and point the way to individualized eating plans.

[sweetana3]

I went on one of the early doctor monitored weight loss programs that used significant increased protein. Had regular blood tests. It almost destroyed my digestive system.

Lost the weight and it was not worth it. I am now a much more balance in everything and as simple an eating plan as possible.

[pinkytoe]

I have no interest in giving up potatos. All foods in moderation works best for me.

[Teacher Terry]

Same for me plus definitely not giving up pasta!

[Yppej]

Thank you for clarifying Steve on the meat.

My tastebuds have changed and when I do have refined carbs they taste blah.

[JaneV2.0]

If you're looking for inspiration, I recommend Maria Emmerich, Urvashi Pitre, and Carrie Brown recipes and cookbooks. Also, Dr.Stephen Phinney has a series of excellent YouTube videos. There's no shortage of solid information out there.

[Simplemind]

Having dealt with chronic pain for many years I am absolutely shocked at my current pain level which is hardly worth mentioning. I can't believe that it has almost resolved in such a short time. Why on earth don't doctors discuss this before putting you on all the pharma crap? I know a lot of them know nothing of nutrition and follow the party line but good grief. My BP has been hovering in the high 140's, low 150's. In the past week it has been in the 120's. My husband has been keeping an eye on his as well since he is on meds. His has also dropped.

[SteveinMN]

Why on earth don't doctors discuss this before putting you on all the pharma crap? I know a lot of them know nothing of nutrition and follow the party line but good grief.
I hate to be cynical, but there's no money in people resolving medical conditions by eating in a way that corresponds to their body's needs. Not only would more people eating keto disrupt the diabetes/endocrine disorder market, but it would do a number on some very large food companies, too.

The American public does not help itself, either, by believing that everything can be fixed by taking a pill.

[Molly]

I went on the Keto diet over a year ago. I had been suffering from severe chronic pain and my pain levels have dropped so dramatically, I only need the occasional Advil or Tylenol. I also lost 10 pounds.

I eat a lot of veggies, a moderate amount of meat (2-3 oz per meal) and limited fruit. My only other carb is a bowl of oatmeal in the morning. I include nuts, seeds, avocado, olive oil, fish oil and some 80% dark chocolate in my diet. I use almond or coconut milk. After being dairy free for awhile, I use a limited amount of cheese as flavoring in some foods. Water is my "go to" beverage although I do have one cup a coffee in the morning.