Modified Atkins aka Ketogenic Diet

30 grams of carbs a day or less, set protein at 0.82g per lb of body weight, the rest of your calories can be allocated to fats.

The steps are 5% so pick either 5 or 10 for carbs, 25 or so for protein and the rest for fat to make 100.

I have been on a keto diet for about a month after my endocrinologist (I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis) recommended I try a low carb diet (he suggested Atkins, but I had done research on keto already and he said it was fine). This is after craziness with weight gain with literally no cause (I was eating a mostly whole foods diet and exercising regularly), still having tons of symptoms even though my thyroid function (all tests, not just TSH) came back normal or even over-corrected, and my liver function all over the place with no reason (blood tests, liver ultrasound). My liver test would yoyo between normal, slightly high, normal, extremely high. I do not drink alcohol or smoke, so this was attributed to my unexplained weight gain since the plethora of blood and urine testing came back with no other causes. Also this most recent testing showed low electrolytes and high cholesterol - also with no reason. Obviously very frustrating to be doing "the right things" and still gaining weight like crazy, feeling tired all the time, having my hair fall out in clumps, super dry skin, mood swings, etc.

I limit my NET carbs to <21 per day (83g protein unless I work out and the rest fat, I think up to 173g) and after the initial "withdrawals", have been feeling pretty great and am down 15 lbs eating more calories than I did when I was eating whole foods and weighing everything to the gram. My boyfriend decided to do it with me but limits to <35 and doesn't log - he just pays attention to carb counts. He feels great also and is down 30 lbs. I should add that he hasn't had to take any medication for his heartburn/reflux after being about a week into keto. This is going from taking Prilosec religiously and having to supplement with Zantac, Pepto and Tums - really severe hearburn/reflux at night, especially. I haven't heard anything about heartburn and keto, but I think it's worth mentioning since that's the ONLY thing he's changed - he's even had a couple beers a few times which before would guarantee heartburn. We haven't really cut OUT anything specific, just searched for lower carb (but still healthy) options and we rarely eat fruit of course.

What works for some doesn't work for others, I've found - especially the calories in/calories out. Doesn't work for me.

Wow really informative. Sounds like you really have some good experiences with it. Interesting :-)

I'm on it now 10 weeks strong and loving it. Stopped all insulin 10 weeks ago and blood sugars have never been better in the last few years. I've eliminated over 300 shots in 10 weeks. 1st 4 weeks wright loss was slow only 1/2 lb a week. But last 5 I've lost about 2 to 3lbs a week.

I find the diet very sustainable. I eat all meats, I eat green leafy vegetables only, I eat butter, v ovonut oil, peanut oil, sesame, eggs galore, home made fat chili. Its really been easy for me...

It's a lifestyle change for me though to keep me off insulin...

Have you checked out the keto reddit? They have a wealth of information on their. Also, you may want to check your macros at http://keto-calculator.ankerl.com/

Like they said, set your activity level to Sedentary even if you are working out and your protein to 0.8g and then set your MFP goals to that

Go to ibreatheimhungry and PLEASE make sure you drink tons of water and increase your electrolyte intake. It will help prevent the "keto flu" I was googling and came across Optimum Keto but I'm not sure about the science behind increasing protein.