Keto vs Mediterranean Diet.

motivated2getfit86
motivated2getfit86 Posts: 2 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I've been on the keto diet again for the past month and a half. It works for me but the last time I did it I ended up fallin off the wagon when I got a new job and gained all the weight back. It's working again but I'm debating on switching to the Mediterranean diet to see if maybe that is a diet I can switch to for good. Any insight about these two diets from anyone? What works for you. I want a life change not a temporary solution i will fluctuate off of again. Need opinions.

Replies

  • Emmapatterson1729
    Emmapatterson1729 Posts: 1,296 Member
    I just started keto a little less than a month ago. I love it and can honestly live the rest of my life without starches and sweets. (Given the occasional almond flour, monk fruit dessert)!!

    I'm never hungry, zero cravings, and have a ton of energy.

    But for someone who feels the need for starches or craves them, like my sister and mom, Mediterranean style way-of-eating works better.

    Also Mediterranean way-of-eating is more forgiving of cheat-days, which my sister has to have. Keto is not cheat-day friendly.

    My sister has to have cake on birthday, where I was content with a cheesy meat cake (my new version of breadless grilled cheese/ and turkey sandwiches).

    Can lose weight on both, but Mediterranean seems more sustainable for most.

    Keto's working for me! But I love veggies, meats, cheeses, eggs, and oils (olive and coconut). And never been a big fan of sweets and starches.
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,089 Member
    People are different when it comes to what foods make them happy and which ways of eating they find sustainable. Other people's experiences with regard to sustainability of keto or mediterranean diets are irrelevant with respect to what you will be able to stick with. Try it and see.
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    Mediterranean is more flexible in that it's basically just one version of a healthful eating pattern (and people often interpret it very loosely). I think of it as basically mostly cooking from whole foods, lots of veg and fruit, whole grains and beans/lentil, not that much meat with fish/seafood a significant source of the meat that is consumed. Olives and olive oil as one fat source (rather than butter), as well as nuts and seeds.

    I eat basically this way, although it's more geared toward what's in season and grows well around me during growing season vs. Med-specific dishes (with the exception of olives/olive oil, and I also adore avocado). In fact, I often explore dishes from other areas of the world.

    I tried keto briefly and it wasn't for me as even with no more than a serving of nuts and/or greek yogurt/cottage cheese and all the veg I like to eat I'd be at or over my net carb goal every day (I do love vegetables and like to eat a variety, but these were all non starchy veg). I also missed fruit and was eating more meat than I prefer (I think people do manage with less meat, but I can't figure out how while still meeting protein and carb goals unless it's a lot of fake meat).

    I think it's great for those who struggle with appetite on other diets or who feel like they are enjoying their food options more on keto, but for me it felt restrictive and didn't convey any benefits and I feel like my diet doing a more Med style (or just generally eating in a way that takes into account nutrition and delicious cooking) is healthier for me.

    You will have to figure out what works for you, however.
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    You don't need to eat any particular "diet" to lose weight, you just need to eat at the right calorie level. For some people, it's a particular macro being high or low that makes it easy for them to stick to a calorie goal (like keto), for others it might be an eating "philosophy" like Mediterranean.

    If keto works but isn't sustainable, maybe try still keeping your carbs low, but not keto low. That might still help your appetite, but be more flexible for your real life situation.

    I never did well trying to follow a specific plan, so I tend to take bits from a bunch of things and see what helps me stay on track. I do much better with moderately higher carbs. I am really fascinated and inspired by the Blue Zones, which fit quite nicely with a Mediterranean sort of diet, so that's like my goal diet. But honestly, I lost twenty lbs and have been maintaining now eating a mishmosh diet of no particular plan other than focusing on getting enough protein & fiber for now. :drinker:
  • AlabasterVerve
    AlabasterVerve Posts: 3,171 Member
    What about keto is helping to control your calories so you're able to lose weight? For many it's a combination of things -- better eating habits (less frequent, less snacking etc), more protein, less cravings?? Really take the time to figure out what specific things about the keto diet that's helping you and see if you can't work with that.

    Maybe you can eat a greater variety of food than you think as long as you include those foods at a structured meal time? Maybe carbs are an issue for you and you do better with less but do they need to be as low as they are right now? Experiment and try eating as many carbs as you can and still maintain the appetite control of low carb.

    Don't be afraid of changing things up and understand what's working for you right now doesn't have to work for you later - you just have to be mindful, recognize that it's not working and adjust. You don't have to have the perfect forever plan right now. Do the best you can, don't give up and you'll get there.
  • LyndaBSS
    LyndaBSS Posts: 6,964 Member
    whmscll wrote: »
    Why must you follow a “diet”? All you need to lose weight is to weigh and log food and make sure you’re in a calorie deficit.

    ^^^ this with a twist.

    I researched keto and knew it would not be sustainable for me. I sat back, figured what foods I eat on a regular basis. Plant based, fish, eggs and cheese.

    Someone pointed out that what I was doing was a pescatarian diet. I like having a "diet" category because it helps me get recipes and follow a guideline of sorts. I'm not strict enough to not give a name to my eating plan. That's just me.
  • MikePTY
    MikePTY Posts: 3,814 Member
    Really evaluate any sort of "diet" to see if it's an eating pattern you feel comfortable sticking with the rest of your life. If not, it's generally not a good idea to do it for weight loss, or else your maintenance will likely be more difficult.

    There is no need to follow a specific way of eating unless you enjoy the foods and find the structure beneficial. The foods in the Mediterranean diet are generally associated with positive health outcome, so incorporating some of them in your diet can be a good idea from a nutritional standpoint. But that doesn't mean you need to follow it "strictly". Just eat less calories than you burn.
  • MikePTY
    MikePTY Posts: 3,814 Member
    Really evaluate any sort of "diet" to see if it's an eating pattern you feel comfortable sticking with the rest of your life. If not, it's generally not a good idea to do it for weight loss, or else your maintenance will likely be more difficult.

    There is no need to follow a specific way of eating unless you enjoy the foods and find the structure beneficial. The foods in the Mediterranean diet are generally associated with positive health outcome, so incorporating some of them in your diet can be a good idea from a nutritional standpoint. But that doesn't mean you need to follow it "strictly". Just eat less calories than you burn.

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