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Pros and cons of a Keto Diet

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Replies

  • Posts: 38,439 MFP Moderator

    Explain the blue zones..

    No one ever does.
  • 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
  • Posts: 12,019 Member

    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: »

    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.
  • 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 :)
  • Posts: 140 Member
    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.



    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
  • Posts: 38,439 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.
  • 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.
  • Posts: 12,019 Member
    psuLemon wrote: »

    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.