What was/is your experience with the Ketogenic diet?

Hey hey MFPals.

I'm interested in the Keto diet and would really like to see what people who have tried it or ARE trying it, have to say.

I've read that with a calorie deficit, no matter what diet you choose, you'll lose weight. I want to try the Keto diet because I was diagnosed with PCOS and it's supposedly a good diet for insulin resistance (my blood sugar without treatment is excellent, but I'm told I am insulin resistant anyway - *shrugs*).

Knowledge, advice/tips, even personal opinions (gasp!) are appreciated. :smile:
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Replies

  • NaeJayKay
    NaeJayKay Posts: 14 Member
    avasahka wrote: »
    Hi there! I’m not exactly doing keto, but my program is close! It’s a medical weight loss clinic under doctor supervision, and it calls for a major calorie deficit and also eating mostly protein with some healthy fats (no carbs and no sugar). It’s worked really well for my fiancé and me. He’s lost 55 lbs in 7 weeks, and I’ve lost 30!

    More importantly, I have PCOS and only had 5 periods in the past 4 years when we started the program. I couldn’t tolerate metformin at all, and I was feeling helpless. But since starting the program, I’ve had my period twice— 27 days apart! I personally don’t think I would have been able to do keto without my man doing it with me, and also weekly check-ins with the clinic. I’ve definitely struggled through it, but it’s been absolutely worth it!



    If you're okay with it, add me. I'd love to chat!
  • Merrysailor5
    Merrysailor5 Posts: 1,424 Member
    I did Keto for about 6 months. I lost a good bit of weight. But, I'm sure it was from my intake being accounted for accurately. But, I did feel good after the initial "Keto Flu" period. Like I had no ups or downs the way I do with a lot of carbs. Since then I've adjusted to a more sustainable diet, still with a lower amount of carbs, but carbs nonetheless.

    As Chestinator mentioned, if you have a sweettooth, you're going to have to get creative with your foods. I had many recipes for low-carb sweets.
  • NaeJayKay
    NaeJayKay Posts: 14 Member
    KateTii wrote: »
    I've lost weight calorie counting and i've lost weight calorie counting eating keto. Either way, it was my calorie balance that was the reason I lost the weight - but I do find keto more filling, satisfying and better for my recomp/muscle building goals.

    I don't have any 'reason' to do Keto, I just enjoy the food and how it makes me feel. It's worth a try, but personally I would recommend a beginner do plain calorie counting first to learn the basics, and then try keto, as it requires a lot of attention to macro ratios, micronutrients etc.

    Yeah, I've heard that Keto keeps you feeling full. That might be a good enough reason to try it! :)
  • Merrysailor5
    Merrysailor5 Posts: 1,424 Member
    NaeJayKay wrote: »
    KateTii wrote: »
    I've lost weight calorie counting and i've lost weight calorie counting eating keto. Either way, it was my calorie balance that was the reason I lost the weight - but I do find keto more filling, satisfying and better for my recomp/muscle building goals.

    I don't have any 'reason' to do Keto, I just enjoy the food and how it makes me feel. It's worth a try, but personally I would recommend a beginner do plain calorie counting first to learn the basics, and then try keto, as it requires a lot of attention to macro ratios, micronutrients etc.

    Yeah, I've heard that Keto keeps you feeling full. That might be a good enough reason to try it! :)

    Yes, it's because it's a very high fat diet. Fats keep you feeling fuller longer.
  • NaeJayKay
    NaeJayKay Posts: 14 Member
    I did Keto for about 6 months. I lost a good bit of weight. But, I'm sure it was from my intake being accounted for accurately. But, I did feel good after the initial "Keto Flu" period. Like I had no ups or downs the way I do with a lot of carbs. Since then I've adjusted to a more sustainable diet, still with a lower amount of carbs, but carbs nonetheless.

    As Chestinator mentioned, if you have a sweettooth, you're going to have to get creative with your foods. I had many recipes for low-carb sweets.

    I've heard other people say the same thing. Definitely makes me want to give it a try.
  • kgeyser
    kgeyser Posts: 22,505 Member
    I have not done keto, but these groups have a lot of information about low carb and keto diets:

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/394-low-carber-daily-forum-the-lcd-group

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/1143-keto

    Also, there is a group for women with PCOS, lots of info in there about experiences with dietary interventions and medications:

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/3070-p-c-o-sis
  • Good_Morning_Glory
    Good_Morning_Glory Posts: 226 Member
    Hello!

    I have friends who have been successful with using keto. I also have friends that weren’t. I fall into the latter group. It wasn’t the right fit for me. I’d strongly advise following the above links and joining the Low Carber group. So many experienced folk to help guide you along the way.

    Cheers!!
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    kgeyser wrote: »
    sak1962 wrote: »
    megs_1985 wrote: »
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/ketogenic-diet-is-the-ultimate-low-carb-diet-good-for-you-2017072712089

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5452247/#!po=21.5596

    As I said ok for a very particular subset of people under a doctor’s supervision but from what I read on here people are doing it because it’s the cool new fad diet that will be the magic pill while never learning how to actually eat a healthy sustainable diet for the long term. Also overtime the results even out overtime with traditional weight loss not making any better so why put yourself through such a restrictive diet to just get the same results but putting yourself at more risk of regaining the weight?

    I don't believe you have the slightest clue how a ketogenic diet works. And the junk articles you cite are some of the most one sided garbage I've seen in quite a while. I personally know lots of people that are living in NK (Nutritional Ketosis). They live great lives and range from stay at home moms to neurosurgeons. Yes living Ketogenic is not for everyone, it takes a little willpower and self control. If you find yourself unable to control what you put in your mouth then this WoE (Way of Eating) is not for you. The crap you are spewing about no fiber , fruits, or vegetables is total BS. Vegetables and fiber actually make up a large part of the diet with this WoE. The only reason fruit is restricted is because it is high in Fructose (Sugar = Carbs). Now let's cover your "Restricts or Bans an entire Macronutrient" statement. Do you mean the way Fat is eliminated or severely restricted in a low fat diet? Maybe I'm reading you wrong. And as for Fad diet....... I guess it's only been around for a bit more than 100 years, so calling it a Fad is a bit egotistical. Try doing a little more reading with a little more variety of viewpoint before you start trying to sound like an expert next time. You are entitled to your personal beliefs but when you start trying to tell people junk science is the only way to go it really gives those of us with our own thoughts and brains a good laugh, but mostly at you and not with you.

    because articles published in peer reviewed journals or by medical schools are junk - correct?

    The articles were supposed to support the claim that the diet is unhealthy, however the Harvard article did not say that the diet is unhealthy; the only possible health issue it stated was the potential to overeat on red meat and fatty, salty, processed foods, which you can do on any diet.

    The other study said the diet is "not totally safe," but in the conclusion states "As KD are often rich in fats, some negative effects could happen. Mainly in rodents, developments of NAFLD and insulin resistance were described. In humans, insulin resistance is also a potential negative effect, but some studies have shown improvements in insulin sensitivity." I don't think rodent studies and inconclusive evidence on insulin resistance are enough to support the claim that the diet is unhealthy.

    my comment was more to do with this comment made:
    And the junk articles you cite are some of the most one sided garbage I've seen in quite a while.
  • kgeyser
    kgeyser Posts: 22,505 Member
    kgeyser wrote: »
    sak1962 wrote: »
    megs_1985 wrote: »
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/ketogenic-diet-is-the-ultimate-low-carb-diet-good-for-you-2017072712089

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5452247/#!po=21.5596

    As I said ok for a very particular subset of people under a doctor’s supervision but from what I read on here people are doing it because it’s the cool new fad diet that will be the magic pill while never learning how to actually eat a healthy sustainable diet for the long term. Also overtime the results even out overtime with traditional weight loss not making any better so why put yourself through such a restrictive diet to just get the same results but putting yourself at more risk of regaining the weight?

    I don't believe you have the slightest clue how a ketogenic diet works. And the junk articles you cite are some of the most one sided garbage I've seen in quite a while. I personally know lots of people that are living in NK (Nutritional Ketosis). They live great lives and range from stay at home moms to neurosurgeons. Yes living Ketogenic is not for everyone, it takes a little willpower and self control. If you find yourself unable to control what you put in your mouth then this WoE (Way of Eating) is not for you. The crap you are spewing about no fiber , fruits, or vegetables is total BS. Vegetables and fiber actually make up a large part of the diet with this WoE. The only reason fruit is restricted is because it is high in Fructose (Sugar = Carbs). Now let's cover your "Restricts or Bans an entire Macronutrient" statement. Do you mean the way Fat is eliminated or severely restricted in a low fat diet? Maybe I'm reading you wrong. And as for Fad diet....... I guess it's only been around for a bit more than 100 years, so calling it a Fad is a bit egotistical. Try doing a little more reading with a little more variety of viewpoint before you start trying to sound like an expert next time. You are entitled to your personal beliefs but when you start trying to tell people junk science is the only way to go it really gives those of us with our own thoughts and brains a good laugh, but mostly at you and not with you.

    because articles published in peer reviewed journals or by medical schools are junk - correct?

    The articles were supposed to support the claim that the diet is unhealthy, however the Harvard article did not say that the diet is unhealthy; the only possible health issue it stated was the potential to overeat on red meat and fatty, salty, processed foods, which you can do on any diet.

    The other study said the diet is "not totally safe," but in the conclusion states "As KD are often rich in fats, some negative effects could happen. Mainly in rodents, developments of NAFLD and insulin resistance were described. In humans, insulin resistance is also a potential negative effect, but some studies have shown improvements in insulin sensitivity." I don't think rodent studies and inconclusive evidence on insulin resistance are enough to support the claim that the diet is unhealthy.

    my comment was more to do with this comment made:
    And the junk articles you cite are some of the most one sided garbage I've seen in quite a while.

    I realize that, but just because someone found something that says Harvard or comes from PubMed doesn't mean that it should pass without criticism either. The Harvard piece is a blog, with no cited sources, written by a primary care doctor, and one of the most frequent criticisms we see around here are that physicians do not receive a great deal of training in nutrition. His bio does not indicate work specifically in nutrition, or nutrition even listed as an interest, and his article reflects that.

    Take his criticism of the diet - "Because it is so restrictive, it is really hard to follow over the long run. Carbohydrates normally account for at least 50% of the typical American diet. One of the main criticisms of this diet is that many people tend to eat too much protein and poor-quality fats from processed foods, with very few fruits and vegetables." - that does not sound like any keto diet I've seen described on this site. The majority of users here seem to be getting fats from butter, coconut oil, and meat, and tend to be moderate protein if that. But since he didn't cite any sources, who knows where he came up with that.
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    kgeyser wrote: »
    kgeyser wrote: »
    sak1962 wrote: »
    megs_1985 wrote: »
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/ketogenic-diet-is-the-ultimate-low-carb-diet-good-for-you-2017072712089

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5452247/#!po=21.5596

    As I said ok for a very particular subset of people under a doctor’s supervision but from what I read on here people are doing it because it’s the cool new fad diet that will be the magic pill while never learning how to actually eat a healthy sustainable diet for the long term. Also overtime the results even out overtime with traditional weight loss not making any better so why put yourself through such a restrictive diet to just get the same results but putting yourself at more risk of regaining the weight?

    I don't believe you have the slightest clue how a ketogenic diet works. And the junk articles you cite are some of the most one sided garbage I've seen in quite a while. I personally know lots of people that are living in NK (Nutritional Ketosis). They live great lives and range from stay at home moms to neurosurgeons. Yes living Ketogenic is not for everyone, it takes a little willpower and self control. If you find yourself unable to control what you put in your mouth then this WoE (Way of Eating) is not for you. The crap you are spewing about no fiber , fruits, or vegetables is total BS. Vegetables and fiber actually make up a large part of the diet with this WoE. The only reason fruit is restricted is because it is high in Fructose (Sugar = Carbs). Now let's cover your "Restricts or Bans an entire Macronutrient" statement. Do you mean the way Fat is eliminated or severely restricted in a low fat diet? Maybe I'm reading you wrong. And as for Fad diet....... I guess it's only been around for a bit more than 100 years, so calling it a Fad is a bit egotistical. Try doing a little more reading with a little more variety of viewpoint before you start trying to sound like an expert next time. You are entitled to your personal beliefs but when you start trying to tell people junk science is the only way to go it really gives those of us with our own thoughts and brains a good laugh, but mostly at you and not with you.

    because articles published in peer reviewed journals or by medical schools are junk - correct?

    The articles were supposed to support the claim that the diet is unhealthy, however the Harvard article did not say that the diet is unhealthy; the only possible health issue it stated was the potential to overeat on red meat and fatty, salty, processed foods, which you can do on any diet.

    The other study said the diet is "not totally safe," but in the conclusion states "As KD are often rich in fats, some negative effects could happen. Mainly in rodents, developments of NAFLD and insulin resistance were described. In humans, insulin resistance is also a potential negative effect, but some studies have shown improvements in insulin sensitivity." I don't think rodent studies and inconclusive evidence on insulin resistance are enough to support the claim that the diet is unhealthy.

    my comment was more to do with this comment made:
    And the junk articles you cite are some of the most one sided garbage I've seen in quite a while.

    I realize that, but just because someone found something that says Harvard or comes from PubMed doesn't mean that it should pass without criticism either. The Harvard piece is a blog, with no cited sources, written by a primary care doctor, and one of the most frequent criticisms we see around here are that physicians do not receive a great deal of training in nutrition. His bio does not indicate work specifically in nutrition, or nutrition even listed as an interest, and his article reflects that.

    Take his criticism of the diet - "Because it is so restrictive, it is really hard to follow over the long run. Carbohydrates normally account for at least 50% of the typical American diet. One of the main criticisms of this diet is that many people tend to eat too much protein and poor-quality fats from processed foods, with very few fruits and vegetables." - that does not sound like any keto diet I've seen described on this site. The majority of users here seem to be getting fats from butter, coconut oil, and meat, and tend to be moderate protein if that. But since he didn't cite any sources, who knows where he came up with that.

    unfortuantely while you haven't seen that on the site - I have from newer people and i've had people I've worked with who are trying it make similar comments...to paraphrase one - so i could have a steak with butter and bacon and lose weight...

    I tried to find the link to the Alan Aragon Keto meta-analysis which looked at 200+ keto studies - most of the conculsions of him and the panel of experts was that more long-term research was needed with larger subject pools (this conclusion was based on a the review of the research where many studies only had 10-20 subjects) which makes any kind of results harder to generalize to the wide population.

    additionally, personnally, I did research and there are limited indications (and I acknowledge that more research is necessary) which ties lower carb diets (while not specifically calling keto out) to the increase in thyroid disorders over the last couple of decades.
  • cheryldumais
    cheryldumais Posts: 1,907 Member
    I did Atkins and various other low carb diets over the years. At first I loved them but then missed carbs too much. I agree it is a great hunger reducer and some people do really well on them but for me it wasn't sustainable.
  • NaeJayKay
    NaeJayKay Posts: 14 Member
    kgeyser wrote: »
    I have not done keto, but these groups have a lot of information about low carb and keto diets:

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/394-low-carber-daily-forum-the-lcd-group

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/1143-keto

    Also, there is a group for women with PCOS, lots of info in there about experiences with dietary interventions and medications:

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/3070-p-c-o-sis
    kgeyser wrote: »
    I have not done keto, but these groups have a lot of information about low carb and keto diets:

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/394-low-carber-daily-forum-the-lcd-group

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/1143-keto

    Also, there is a group for women with PCOS, lots of info in there about experiences with dietary interventions and medications:

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/3070-p-c-o-sis


    Many thanks to you for sharing these links!