Pros and cons of a Keto Diet

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Replies

  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,430 MFP Moderator
    wolfruhn wrote: »
    Shame about all the people who continue to argue against Keto, while millions more people across the globe continue to be trapped and become part of the obesity epidemic. Arguing that just go ahead and eat whatever you like as long as you stay within calories.

    The modern 'fad' for carb centric diets started after WW2 but it clearly hasn't worked, as evidenced by looking around while at the mall.

    It's about time people started waking up and getting back to the position of Ketosis being absolutely okay and a natural experience that many people went into and out of regularly over hundreds of thousands of years of man's evolution.

    Explain the blue zones..

    No one ever does.
  • ent3rsandman
    ent3rsandman Posts: 170 Member
    For me personally:

    Con: anaerobic exercise took a heavy dive and I couldn't lift to save my life

    Pro: my endurance running mileage went up
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    GlassAngyl wrote: »
    GlassAngyl wrote: »
    wolfruhn wrote: »
    Shame about all the people who continue to argue against Keto, while millions more people across the globe continue to be trapped and become part of the obesity epidemic. Arguing that just go ahead and eat whatever you like as long as you stay within calories.

    The modern 'fad' for carb centric diets started after WW2 but it clearly hasn't worked, as evidenced by looking around while at the mall.

    It's about time people started waking up and getting back to the position of Ketosis being absolutely okay and a natural experience that many people went into and out of regularly over hundreds of thousands of years of man's evolution.

    You say it so much nicer than I do.. :lol:
    Course I envy those who can carb and lose weight.. but I agree.. it APPARENTLY isn't the easiest way or more obese people wouldn't struggle and give up and restart over and over and over and.. well you get the idea. The only complaint from anti ketoers is from those who continued to over eat on it trying to hit macros .. not sure how that's possible but I think they are saying "do it for me so I don't have to do any work".. and from those who agreed it worked but didn't feel it was varied enough in choices because they listened to the psycho keto cults that restricted everything and didn't tell them about keto breads and noodles and deserts (or they are just lazy and if it isn't prepackaged it's not an option..) Now their minds are permanently poisoned to the idea.

    I hate you're doing it wrong posts - no one ever appreciates them and they're usually not true. Some people don't respond well to keto, some people don't like the food, some people experience no tangible benefits, some people don't lose weight, some people do overeat - it doesn't work for them - and that's ok, it doesn't have to.

    That it works for you is enough, right?

    Exactly what I've been saying literally this ENTIRE TIME! But no.. let's pick and choose what they want to see..

    1: "Keto (blurrs out important part) everyone.
    2: It worked for me because (blah blah blah I don't want to hear this!)
    3:But like I said, if I could do regular cico. I (she hates cico and thinks it's the wrong way! I hate her!)
    4: Don't let others discourage you. There is more than one way to do keto. (OMG she just promoted keto!)
    5: You may find you don't like it and prefer low carb instead. (Ugh! I hate keto promoters!)
    6 and 7: But until you try for yourself, you won't know for sure if it's for you. Some do better on a higher (I refuse to listen to this crap!) diet. (All she did was promote her way of eating!)

    So.. let's try this again but fill in the missed blanks. 1:(Isn't for) 2:(Pro's of why it helped me) 3:(Cons of why it may not work for you) 4:(They won't know unless they try for themselves so why bash it?? Unless you are promoting YOUR WOE!) 5:(Maybe they don't want high carbs and only know of two ways.. here is a chance to show them that there are variations to choose from.) 6:(carbs.. yeah.. I promoted something that didn't work for me. Hmmm. That it may or may not work for them is enough, right?) 7:(And back at square one as everything anti-ketoers are against is blanked out as they ignore the part where I promote ALL methods just so long as they TRY it without being biased by others.)

    And just so we are clear.. vegetarians and vegans get attacked less than those who want to try keto or low carb. And some of them are keto as well! It isn't easy for vegans though.. Yet, if a VEGAN can attempt to eat high fat and low carb on their TRULY RESTRICTIVE diet, why can't a curious newbie try it for themselves before being attacked and scared away because others found it too hard for them? That's why they add friends who are like minded.. To seek advice when they are confused.

    I agree with you 100% - you've nailed the experience most have with the general forums and it's why so few who eat low carb post here. All of the what-about-mah-vegtables, it's not sustainable, your breath, your kidneys, you can't cut out a whole food group, everything in moderation and the number the of woo's on posts for anyone who takes the time to share their positive experience with the diet is wrong. And it's absolutely shameful the ignorant, anti low carb bias is the loudest voice on the forums even when it's recommended by a posters doctor.

    I hate all of that but the reverse it true too - a ketogenic diet isn't right for everyone and they should be able to share that.

    I only had 3 woo's on my post about my personal experiences with the diet. ;) LOL

    The board is getting more accepting of LCHF over time. A couple of years ago a keto thread would get more of the woo science responses than there is now. People know more about it and can approach it from an educated position.

    I think a common argument now is against sustainability, but I have not seen anything that shows LCHF is less sustainable than any other diet. Again, I think that comes down to a person's circumstances. I could never maintain moderation in all things but I'm a few years into LCHF and keto.

    The other most common seems to be the need to point out that keto is not magic. I have no idea if that is as common in vegetarian, vegan, Mediterranean, SAD, paleo/primal, clean eating, or moderation threads since I do not look into those as much. I doubt it though.... Well, maybe in paleo threads. ;)
    aernest825 wrote: »
    I eat less vegetables now just because I eat less than I did before but a day that looks like this (fruit & vegetables in the morning, salad for lunch and roasted vegetables for dinner) isn't unusual and I imagine it is a lot of vegetables for most (low carb or not):
    j2xucaobh92n.jpg

    Summary: 2.5 pounds or 14 servings of vegetables, 37 net carbs

    Yes, but for ketosis, you are getting a LOT of carbs ; generally 20g max for those following keto

    I agree with the previous poster. Ketogenic diets just has you in ketosis all the time. The carb level needed to maintain that can really vary. Many can do fine with 50g, athletes with timed carbs may go over 200g, inactive people with insulin resistance may need to stay under 20g, and some people find they feel best when their carbs are as close to zero as possible. There is a lot of variation.
  • angel7472
    angel7472 Posts: 317 Member
    I've known 2 people who have done Keto. I've done CICO. I've lost over 80lbs and been maintaining within 5 pounds +/- for 3 years approx. Both people who did Keto- one is gaining as we speak (Ican see it on her). The other (my husband) gained it all back and then some.
    If it works for you great! But both people got sick of being on such a restrictive diet that they went back to their normal and gained.
    Where as I'm still happy as can be :)
  • emailmehere1122
    emailmehere1122 Posts: 140 Member
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    psuLemon wrote: »
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    GlassAngyl wrote: »
    GlassAngyl wrote: »
    wolfruhn wrote: »
    Shame about all the people who continue to argue against Keto, while millions more people across the globe continue to be trapped and become part of the obesity epidemic. Arguing that just go ahead and eat whatever you like as long as you stay within calories.

    The modern 'fad' for carb centric diets started after WW2 but it clearly hasn't worked, as evidenced by looking around while at the mall.

    It's about time people started waking up and getting back to the position of Ketosis being absolutely okay and a natural experience that many people went into and out of regularly over hundreds of thousands of years of man's evolution.

    You say it so much nicer than I do.. :lol:
    Course I envy those who can carb and lose weight.. but I agree.. it APPARENTLY isn't the easiest way or more obese people wouldn't struggle and give up and restart over and over and over and.. well you get the idea. The only complaint from anti ketoers is from those who continued to over eat on it trying to hit macros .. not sure how that's possible but I think they are saying "do it for me so I don't have to do any work".. and from those who agreed it worked but didn't feel it was varied enough in choices because they listened to the psycho keto cults that restricted everything and didn't tell them about keto breads and noodles and deserts (or they are just lazy and if it isn't prepackaged it's not an option..) Now their minds are permanently poisoned to the idea.

    I hate you're doing it wrong posts - no one ever appreciates them and they're usually not true. Some people don't respond well to keto, some people don't like the food, some people experience no tangible benefits, some people don't lose weight, some people do overeat - it doesn't work for them - and that's ok, it doesn't have to.

    That it works for you is enough, right?

    Exactly what I've been saying literally this ENTIRE TIME! But no.. let's pick and choose what they want to see..

    1: "Keto (blurrs out important part) everyone.
    2: It worked for me because (blah blah blah I don't want to hear this!)
    3:But like I said, if I could do regular cico. I (she hates cico and thinks it's the wrong way! I hate her!)
    4: Don't let others discourage you. There is more than one way to do keto. (OMG she just promoted keto!)
    5: You may find you don't like it and prefer low carb instead. (Ugh! I hate keto promoters!)
    6 and 7: But until you try for yourself, you won't know for sure if it's for you. Some do better on a higher (I refuse to listen to this crap!) diet. (All she did was promote her way of eating!)

    So.. let's try this again but fill in the missed blanks. 1:(Isn't for) 2:(Pro's of why it helped me) 3:(Cons of why it may not work for you) 4:(They won't know unless they try for themselves so why bash it?? Unless you are promoting YOUR WOE!) 5:(Maybe they don't want high carbs and only know of two ways.. here is a chance to show them that there are variations to choose from.) 6:(carbs.. yeah.. I promoted something that didn't work for me. Hmmm. That it may or may not work for them is enough, right?) 7:(And back at square one as everything anti-ketoers are against is blanked out as they ignore the part where I promote ALL methods just so long as they TRY it without being biased by others.)

    And just so we are clear.. vegetarians and vegans get attacked less than those who want to try keto or low carb. And some of them are keto as well! It isn't easy for vegans though.. Yet, if a VEGAN can attempt to eat high fat and low carb on their TRULY RESTRICTIVE diet, why can't a curious newbie try it for themselves before being attacked and scared away because others found it too hard for them? That's why they add friends who are like minded.. To seek advice when they are confused.

    I agree with you 100% - you've nailed the experience most have with the general forums and it's why so few who eat low carb post here. All of the what-about-mah-vegtables, it's not sustainable, your breath, your kidneys, you can't cut out a whole food group, everything in moderation and the number the of woo's on posts for anyone who takes the time to share their positive experience with the diet is wrong. And it's absolutely shameful the ignorant, anti low carb bias is the loudest voice on the forums even when it's recommended by a posters doctor.

    I hate all of that but the reverse it true too - a ketogenic diet isn't right for everyone and they should be able to share that.

    I only had 3 woo's on my post about my personal experiences with the diet. ;) LOL

    The board is getting more accepting of LCHF over time. A couple of years ago a keto thread would get more of the woo science responses than there is now. People know more about it and can approach it from an educated position.

    I think a common argument now is against sustainability, but I have not seen anything that shows LCHF is less sustainable than any other diet. Again, I think that comes down to a person's circumstances. I could never maintain moderation in all things but I'm a few years into LCHF and keto.

    The other most common seems to be the need to point out that keto is not magic. I have no idea if that is as common in vegetarian, vegan, Mediterranean, SAD, paleo/primal, clean eating, or moderation threads since I do not look into those as much. I doubt it though.... Well, maybe in paleo threads. ;)
    aernest825 wrote: »
    I eat less vegetables now just because I eat less than I did before but a day that looks like this (fruit & vegetables in the morning, salad for lunch and roasted vegetables for dinner) isn't unusual and I imagine it is a lot of vegetables for most (low carb or not):
    j2xucaobh92n.jpg

    Summary: 2.5 pounds or 14 servings of vegetables, 37 net carbs

    Yes, but for ketosis, you are getting a LOT of carbs ; generally 20g max for those following keto

    I agree with the previous poster. Ketogenic diets just has you in ketosis all the time. The carb level needed to maintain that can really vary. Many can do fine with 50g, athletes with timed carbs may go over 200g, inactive people with insulin resistance may need to stay under 20g, and some people find they feel best when their carbs are as close to zero as possible. There is a lot of variation.

    Whatever the diet of the month is, generally gets the most attention.. Paleo was big a few years ago, and vegetarian/plant based still get some reactions as well (especially when they demonize dairy/meats). The problems occur when those who are new make the normal outrageous claims. If you need some examples on the claims, I can look through some of my recent threads and point some out, lol. Heck.. in one post, I could probably list the normal nonsense that I have heard from every major style diet.


    ETA: I blame blogs, youtube and netflix.

    True there are flavours of the month/year. I get that. It just sometimes feels to me, and this is just my perception, that these diets do get attacked because they are named diets that have been, or are, popular. It does not necessarily make the health benefits that some experience on these diets (not just keto) wrong.

    Some diets can help some people's health. Keto can be very good for those with IR, NAFLD, PCOS, epilepsy, some brain cancers or along with some therapies like chemo, some possible help with Alzheimer's disease (there -I came along and said it ;) ), and for some with CAD, IBS or other ailments. Other diets (seems to usually be whole foods based) can help with some of these same problems or other issues. Specific diets can also help with weight loss if they help with satiety, stabilized BG, better energy, better portion control, more balanced hormones, or for other reasons.

    For those who finally find a diet that is improving their health, or making weight loss possible after years of struggle, a specific diet can feel like a miracle cure to that person. Sure, it won't work for everyone, just like all drugs do not work for everyone, but we often see people being told that their experience is wrong, or that they are wrong, simply because instead of saying "some people can be helped" they said "it will help". All that is needed there is a gentle correction that it may not work for all. Instead it can feel like an attack on someone who is new and just wanting to share their excitement.

    It's almost like a kid showing off his new toy car and getting the response of "Meh. I don't like cars. It's not great" from those who are older and more experienced. A response of "I'm glad you like it," might fit better, and without the disclaimer of "but I don't like it." KWIM?

    Of course on this thread, the OP asked for personal pros and cons. Giving your own experiences, both pros and cons was asked for. An "I didn't like it," fits perfectly in this thread. But saying someone's pro or con is wrong is a bit presumptuous - on both sides.

    This is just my perception and opinion though. No one else's.



    Like you said...when it works people want to scream it from the roof top but I truly believe reguardless of what type of diet you go on it still boils down to cico for weight loss.

    Loseing weight will help with all types of issues people have and it's not always how you lost it. For me I cut added sugars...since mfp message boards seem to favor iifym I have to be careful about how I talk about cutting sugar... kind of like you do about the possible health benefits for people following keto.

    IMO At the end of the day we all just have to find what works best for each of us and do that
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,430 MFP Moderator
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    True there are flavours of the month/year. I get that. It just sometimes feels to me, and this is just my perception, that these diets do get attacked because they are named diets that have been, or are, popular. It does not necessarily make the health benefits that some experience on these diets (not just keto) wrong.

    Some diets can help some people's health. Keto can be very good for those with IR, NAFLD, PCOS, epilepsy, some brain cancers or along with some therapies like chemo, some possible help with Alzheimer's disease (there -I came along and said it ;) ), and for some with CAD, IBS or other ailments. Other diets (seems to usually be whole foods based) can help with some of these same problems or other issues. Specific diets can also help with weight loss if they help with satiety, stabilized BG, better energy, better portion control, more balanced hormones, or for other reasons.

    For those who finally find a diet that is improving their health, or making weight loss possible after years of struggle, a specific diet can feel like a miracle cure to that person. Sure, it won't work for everyone, just like all drugs do not work for everyone, but we often see people being told that their experience is wrong, or that they are wrong, simply because instead of saying "some people can be helped" they said "it will help". All that is needed there is a gentle correction that it may not work for all. Instead it can feel like an attack on someone who is new and just wanting to share their excitement.

    It's almost like a kid showing off his new toy car and getting the response of "Meh. I don't like cars. It's not great" from those who are older and more experienced. A response of "I'm glad you like it," might fit better, and without the disclaimer of "but I don't like it." KWIM?

    Of course on this thread, the OP asked for personal pros and cons. Giving your own experiences, both pros and cons was asked for. An "I didn't like it," fits perfectly in this thread. But saying someone's pro or con is wrong is a bit presumptuous - on both sides.

    This is just my perception and opinion though. No one else's.

    Ironically, all those perceptions I share with all the keto-zealots and why i regularly correct people in keto threads. Personally, whatever diet a person finds sustainable is great. Heck, I have trained people from keto to vegan. I will never tell people to not follow a diet.

    I will note, in my mod experience, no thread is worse than one from an overzealous new vegan (generally a teen) who thinks that we are all murdering animals, drinking animal puss, etc.. Because even experienced and educated vegans will battle against them.
  • Lisa8823168
    Lisa8823168 Posts: 139 Member
    I forgot to mention...I travel sea to shining sea for my work about 50/50 of the time. Because I have educated myself on options/foods/restaurants common in all areas of the US, I never have trouble staying Keto when on the road. It is no harder than awareness of calorie counts in the same situation. I can manage fast food with kids and I never have issues celebrating with friends. Knowledge and management...just like anything else.
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    psuLemon wrote: »
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    True there are flavours of the month/year. I get that. It just sometimes feels to me, and this is just my perception, that these diets do get attacked because they are named diets that have been, or are, popular. It does not necessarily make the health benefits that some experience on these diets (not just keto) wrong.

    Some diets can help some people's health. Keto can be very good for those with IR, NAFLD, PCOS, epilepsy, some brain cancers or along with some therapies like chemo, some possible help with Alzheimer's disease (there -I came along and said it ;) ), and for some with CAD, IBS or other ailments. Other diets (seems to usually be whole foods based) can help with some of these same problems or other issues. Specific diets can also help with weight loss if they help with satiety, stabilized BG, better energy, better portion control, more balanced hormones, or for other reasons.

    For those who finally find a diet that is improving their health, or making weight loss possible after years of struggle, a specific diet can feel like a miracle cure to that person. Sure, it won't work for everyone, just like all drugs do not work for everyone, but we often see people being told that their experience is wrong, or that they are wrong, simply because instead of saying "some people can be helped" they said "it will help". All that is needed there is a gentle correction that it may not work for all. Instead it can feel like an attack on someone who is new and just wanting to share their excitement.

    It's almost like a kid showing off his new toy car and getting the response of "Meh. I don't like cars. It's not great" from those who are older and more experienced. A response of "I'm glad you like it," might fit better, and without the disclaimer of "but I don't like it." KWIM?

    Of course on this thread, the OP asked for personal pros and cons. Giving your own experiences, both pros and cons was asked for. An "I didn't like it," fits perfectly in this thread. But saying someone's pro or con is wrong is a bit presumptuous - on both sides.

    This is just my perception and opinion though. No one else's.

    Ironically, all those perceptions I share with all the keto-zealots and why i regularly correct people in keto threads. Personally, whatever diet a person finds sustainable is great. Heck, I have trained people from keto to vegan. I will never tell people to not follow a diet.

    I will note, in my mod experience, no thread is worse than one from an overzealous new vegan (generally a teen) who thinks that we are all murdering animals, drinking animal puss, etc.. Because even experienced and educated vegans will battle against them.

    Animal puss? mmm. LOL

    I can see vegan converts being enthusiastic since veganism is almost as much a philosophy and way of life as it is a way of eating. Makes sense... Makes me curious to check out more vegan threads too. ;)
This discussion has been closed.