Need help with Keto

Missy_Flores
Missy_Flores Posts: 6 Member
edited November 2024 in Social Groups
Hey all, I need some help. Years ago I lost 50 pounds in 6 months doing South Beach Diet, mainly sticking to Phase 1 type foods, which I think were mostly ketogenic. Now I have a lot of food allergies including dairy and can only tolerate meat about once a day. I need help figuring out how to get back into a keto way of eating, because I know I'm really sensitive to carbs. I also don't want to drop the carbs too too low because I get headaches. I just don't know where to start this time around. Any help you can give me would be awesome. Thank you so much!

Replies

  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
  • cstehansen
    cstehansen Posts: 1,984 Member
    Welcome! You found the right place for your journey. We have lots of people at various levels of LC and eating styles from carnivore to vegetarian.

    It sounds like the first step is focusing on real foods - i.e. vegetables instead of the stuff that comes in a box, bag or can from the center aisles in the store - when eating carbs. This will naturally lower your carbs and likely remove 99% of the potential food allergies. The only somewhat common exception I can think of is nightshades (tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, etc.).

    We have a couple of people I can think of right off hand who are low meat or pescatarian who may be able to help you with diet options like @tcunbeliever & @LynFaith for starters.

    Good luck!
  • WVWalkerFriend
    WVWalkerFriend Posts: 575 Member
    Good advice so far. I will add that you might want to consider not focusing much on calories. Once keto becomes more natural then you can add back in calorie counting.
  • Missy_Flores
    Missy_Flores Posts: 6 Member
    Thanks so much for all your help so far! This is great! Just wondering since dairy is a problem for me, do you think I'll be getting enough protein from eating meat once a day, having a pea protein shake (it's as nasty as tit sounds) and some nuts?
  • cstehansen
    cstehansen Posts: 1,984 Member
    If you can eat eggs, those are the best option as they are full of micronutrients and the amino acid profile is good for recycling the protein your body naturally breaks down each day. IMO, there is not a better food than eggs whether your are LC or not.
  • WVWalkerFriend
    WVWalkerFriend Posts: 575 Member
    Consider that you may need more protein and fat during the initial adaption. You can start with the meat, shake, and nuts but you may find that doesn't satisfy hunger or cravings at first. I've found its hard to overeat too much on protein and fat but the best thing to do is just start with where you are and adjust as you go. You may also consider not going too low carb at first, but lowering the carbs as you go.
  • tcunbeliever
    tcunbeliever Posts: 8,219 Member
    I find it a struggle to get enough protein not eating much meat - I have been using the Sun Warrior protein - the chocolate and natural are good, the vanilla is pretty icky...I fluctuate between 75 and 222 carbs depending on rest vs training days, so I'm definitely not keto level!!! Eggs and tuna are my staple proteins...nuts are ok, but they get carby fast and I have to measure them or I just never stop eating!!! Maybe you have more willpower than I do!!!
  • Missy_Flores
    Missy_Flores Posts: 6 Member
    Unfortunately I can't do eggs much anymore. I have severe eczema and for some reason my eczema starts to flare once I start eating eggs. If I do eat them, it's like once a week, which I guess is better than nothing. I really appreciate all your help. I feel like I know what I should be doing but for some reason can't get myself started again this time. It's so frustrating.
  • WVWalkerFriend
    WVWalkerFriend Posts: 575 Member
    Maybe just start small. When I first started coming down on carbs I would eat fruit anytime I had a sugar craving. Then I just ate low carb fruits. Meanwhile slowly up your fats and proteins. Maybe you just need to be low carb in general for awhile.
  • LynFaith
    LynFaith Posts: 14 Member
    I only eat animals that swim. No other animal products. I am wrapping up week 3 of keto. I have to eat fish twice a day. I switched from cashews to pecans, sunflower seeds and peanuts as my nut sources. I like the Vega protein and greens. I add cocoa powder to it along with almond butter. I restrict myself to 1270 calories a day. It IS possible to do keto without meat.
  • Missy_Flores
    Missy_Flores Posts: 6 Member
    edited April 2017
    I love the ideas you all have given me! Thank you so much!
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