Has anyone tried keto?!

chelseamj91
chelseamj91 Posts: 12 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So my step mother and a few friends have actually lost tons of weight by doing keto! My problem is that I’m a vegetarian so I’m not sure if keto would really work for me? I haven’t looked too much into it. Thought I’d check here and see if anyone has any success stories or if there are any vegetarian ways of doing it!

Pros are obviously multiple people I know personally who it’s worked for!

Cons the whole only fat thing has me sort of skeptical because I love fresh veggies and salads (again I haven’t looked too much into it I’m not sure how it all works or why I can eat)


My family and I have been talking about it lately anyone have any advice?

I’ve been doing the cabbage soup diet and it’s been GREAT for me! Although it’s not exactly a long term type of diet and I’m looking for a lifestyle change something that I can really commit to!

TIA!!

-chels
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Replies

  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    amusedmonkey wrote: »
    @nvmomketo I understand where you're coming from, but it's important that we pick our words carefully with new dieters. Suggesting that keto often leads to better health more often than not translates into "keto is the best diet for health for everyone" because new dieters lack the information nuances to make non-binary conclusions. This is especially important when OP states a preference for a diet that isn't very compatible with keto and would feel pressured to eat in a way they don't enjoy and can't sustain because they think it's "better for you". Providing concise information that sets people up for success is better, regardless of our own dieting practices and preferences.

    To OP:
    People lose weight by eating fewer calories than they burn. This happens on every single diet that you can imagine that works for someone. Keto has the added factor of quick water weight loss, which is why your stepmother and friends lost "a ton of weight". Any weight lost beyond that is simply because they ate fewer calories than they burned. If at any point they decide to stop doing keto, a lot of that water weight will come back within a few days.

    Finding a "lifestyle" is not a single choice you commit to, it's a process of trial and error and investigation to find which eating practices you find pleasant and sustainable. Keep in mind that your results will likely be slower than on any crash diet you've been on, which is a good thing, because you want to lose weight in a healthy sustainable way. Here is a good "diet" to try for starters, after which you may feel more confident to customize things to your liking.

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10636388/free-customized-personal-weight-loss-eating-plan-not-spam-or-mlm

    Well said!
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    mmapags wrote: »
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    The Low Carber Daily MFP group's mods put together a GREAT collection of links for vegetarians in their Launch pad. This is a bunch of it:

    Non-Dairy Keto
    Maria Emmerich
    http://www.healthfulpursuit.com/
    http://thenourishedcaveman.com/ (also Paleo)

    Vegan Keto
    https://www.reddit.com/r/veganketo
    http://www.healthfulpursuit.com/2015/04/video-low-carb-vegan-keto-plant-based/
    http://veganhealth.org/
    http://ketomotive.com/vegan-ketogenic-diet/
    http://www.theketogenicdiet.org/low-carb-dieting-for-vegetarians-and-vegans-is-it-possible/
    http://healthygamergirl.com/
    http://www.theveganrd.com/

    Vegetarian Keto
    https://www.dietdoctor.com/new-vegetarian-meal-plan
    https://www.dietdoctor.com/vegetarian-low-carb-keto-inspiration
    https://www.reddit.com/r/vegetarianketo
    http://ketodietapp.com/Blog/post/2015/07/05/2-week-vegetarian-keto-diet-plan
    http://vegetarianketo.blogspot.com/
    http://ketodietapp.com/Blog/post/2015/05/27/81-delicious-savory-low-carb-vegetarian-recipes
    https://vegetarianketo.wordpress.com/

    Keto is tougher when no meat is included, but it is doable if you want to try it.

    For weight loss, the main benefits are usually a decreased appetite and often better health (which tends to make weight management easier). A calorie deficit is still needed for weight loss.
    The rest of what you said is true. However, the bolded is editorial comment. If you have proof in terms of a meta analysis or multiple studies and scholarly please post them but I believe we have had this conversation before and that statement boils down to your opinion for an otherwise healthy individual.

    For some reason you object to a Ketogenic diet being healthful? I'm not saying that it is the only way to gain better health, nor did I say it was the best way. It Is a diet that can lead to better health for people with insulin resistance (diabetes, prediabetes, PCOS, NAFLD and Alzheimer's, as well as the associated CVD) and it can help some with treating some chronic health problems like some autoimmune issues, epilepsy, brain injury, etc. That's not just opinion.

    When people are healthy, it helps with weight management. Thats been seen to be true too.

    Again, I did not say keto was best, or the only way. It is just one way for some to achieve weight loss and some better health. I said, "for weight loss, the main benefits are usually a decreased appetite and often better health (which tends to make weight management easier)."

    I don't keep meta analysis bookmarked to show strangers on the interwebz that better health can make weight management easier or that keto is able to make improvements in some people's health.

    often better health suggests that anyone who does a keto diet could see and is likely to see health improvements. Are you saying those health benefits would begin even if a person does not have insulin resistance?

    For some, yes.
    How would you differentiate the health benefits of keto from those resulting from weight loss alone?

    If there is a benefit without weight loss, then you know. Improved BG control is common even without weight loss.
    Why do you think the health benefits make weight management easier and not the other way around?

    It can work the other way around too. I did not say it could not.

    So the “some” people who might experience better health as a result of the diet are those who have Insulun Resistance. Why not mention that detail when you say “often leads to health improvements for those who are IR. By leaving off this important detail it suggests to people like the OP, or anyone who is considering the diet for weight loss because of all the hype they hear IRL, that they will experience it. The OP mentioned nothing of a medical condition that suggests low carb may provide benefits to that condition - but the vague and sweeping generalization of “often better health” sounds tempting for anyone.

    Again, it is the unproven claims of miracle cures, vague “better health” and the suggestion that keto/IR negates the news for a calorie deficit that will always get challenged. It just doesn’t do the keto community who do have legit reasons and good success with the diet a favor when the overzealous claims imply benefits that won’t happen, and will invite challenges from those who know this is an overstatement.

    ^^Exactly!
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    LiftHeavyThings27105 wrote: »
    chelseamj91 wrote: »
    So my step mother and a few friends have actually lost tons of weight by doing keto! My problem is that I’m a vegetarian so I’m not sure if keto would really work for me? I haven’t looked too much into it. Thought I’d check here and see if anyone has any success stories or if there are any vegetarian ways of doing it!

    Pros are obviously multiple people I know personally who it’s worked for!

    Cons the whole only fat thing has me sort of skeptical because I love fresh veggies and salads (again I haven’t looked too much into it I’m not sure how it all works or why I can eat)


    My family and I have been talking about it lately anyone have any advice?

    I’ve been doing the cabbage soup diet and it’s been GREAT for me! Although it’s not exactly a long term type of diet and I’m looking for a lifestyle change something that I can really commit to!

    TIA!!

    -chels

    I do indeed follow Keto. And, I love it. I do this, for full disclosure, because of high A1C. I love carbs...really do...but they are not so kind to this guy!

    I will suggest this, though. It is not the diet - no matter what it is called - that creates weight loss. It is eating in a caloric deficit. Plain and simple. All of the "diet" stuff is simple a way to help you to maintain your caloric deficit. So, I would suggest that you find something that works for you....point blank and period.

    Now, I must be doing something wrong because I eat at least three salads a day. I just put on some amazing and fatty salad dressing (think blue cheese or sweet idalia onion or whatever) and go to town. I will also out some New York Sharp Cheddar Cheese on it, some boiled eggs on it...some sliced boiled eggs on it...

    And, I do eat veggies. Usually, when I do have "veggies" I will eat brocholli or asparagus. I do not eat veggies every day....but likely five out of seven days.

    The thing about Keto that is so difficult (let's be honest....cutting down to 20g of Carbs a day *CAN* be tough) is that it is so restrictive. It is possible to consume - depending on the type of Keto that you are following (there are - and I believe that most people would agree with this - four types of Keto....when most people talk about Keto, per - se, then they are likely talking about the Standard Ketogenic Diet. That is the 20g of Carbs...roughly....or, 75% of your calories come from Fats, 20% come from Protein and that 5% come from Carbs).

    I might suggest that you - as I have said a few times in this post - find what works for you. This is all about sustainability. This is all about compliance. This is all about "healthy". I mean, if you can follow a way of eating that you absolutely HATE but you force yourself to follow that way of eating because it works then I would suggest that eventually you will "fail" and that what you have been doing was unhealthy.

    Does this make sense?

    Great post. Thanks for the transparency, I’m sure info like this is helpful for anyone considering, but not sure about keto.
  • LiftHeavyThings27105
    LiftHeavyThings27105 Posts: 2,086 Member
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    LiftHeavyThings27105 wrote: »
    chelseamj91 wrote: »
    So my step mother and a few friends have actually lost tons of weight by doing keto! My problem is that I’m a vegetarian so I’m not sure if keto would really work for me? I haven’t looked too much into it. Thought I’d check here and see if anyone has any success stories or if there are any vegetarian ways of doing it!

    Pros are obviously multiple people I know personally who it’s worked for!

    Cons the whole only fat thing has me sort of skeptical because I love fresh veggies and salads (again I haven’t looked too much into it I’m not sure how it all works or why I can eat)


    My family and I have been talking about it lately anyone have any advice?

    I’ve been doing the cabbage soup diet and it’s been GREAT for me! Although it’s not exactly a long term type of diet and I’m looking for a lifestyle change something that I can really commit to!

    TIA!!

    -chels

    I do indeed follow Keto. And, I love it. I do this, for full disclosure, because of high A1C. I love carbs...really do...but they are not so kind to this guy!

    I will suggest this, though. It is not the diet - no matter what it is called - that creates weight loss. It is eating in a caloric deficit. Plain and simple. All of the "diet" stuff is simple a way to help you to maintain your caloric deficit. So, I would suggest that you find something that works for you....point blank and period.

    Now, I must be doing something wrong because I eat at least three salads a day. I just put on some amazing and fatty salad dressing (think blue cheese or sweet idalia onion or whatever) and go to town. I will also out some New York Sharp Cheddar Cheese on it, some boiled eggs on it...some sliced boiled eggs on it...

    And, I do eat veggies. Usually, when I do have "veggies" I will eat brocholli or asparagus. I do not eat veggies every day....but likely five out of seven days.

    The thing about Keto that is so difficult (let's be honest....cutting down to 20g of Carbs a day *CAN* be tough) is that it is so restrictive. It is possible to consume - depending on the type of Keto that you are following (there are - and I believe that most people would agree with this - four types of Keto....when most people talk about Keto, per - se, then they are likely talking about the Standard Ketogenic Diet. That is the 20g of Carbs...roughly....or, 75% of your calories come from Fats, 20% come from Protein and that 5% come from Carbs).

    I might suggest that you - as I have said a few times in this post - find what works for you. This is all about sustainability. This is all about compliance. This is all about "healthy". I mean, if you can follow a way of eating that you absolutely HATE but you force yourself to follow that way of eating because it works then I would suggest that eventually you will "fail" and that what you have been doing was unhealthy.

    Does this make sense?

    Great post. Thanks for the transparency, I’m sure info like this is helpful for anyone considering, but not sure about keto.

    Thank you, lady! There is a lot of "interesting ideas" out there about Keto. When I started investigating this, because of the high A1C, I was overwhelmed with tons and tons of absolutely garbage information. Of course, when you know absolutely nothing about a given topic it is really challenging to determine what is valid information and what is "a sales pitch". I find - and this applies to just about everything out there....we just happen to be talking about Keto - that there are a lot of people out there with an Agenda. I like to follow the "follow the money" train of thought. It helped me to filter out that "garbage information".

    I try to be open and honest and share my experiences and to paint a little bit of a picture about myself. I am "off"....in that I can eat the same food for lunch (for example) every day of the year. Pretty sure that most can not do that. I can. That might be useful information about me....and provide some insight into the info that I am providing.

    Anyway, I also try to stay out of the "discussions" about Keto. General comment. There are a ton of ignorant people out there (notice that I did not say "stupid"....ignorant is totally different) and a lot of really smart people out there. Sometimes it is a challenge to make the distinction. My daddy taught me something really important a long time ago: Don't ever argue with a fool....people will eventually not be able to distinguish who the fool is.

    Anyway, I hope that this helps. Keto is amazing - for me. But, it is really restrictive. And, it is not a magic pill. That does not exist. No matter what anyone says (remember, "follow the money"). Enjoy! I am going to go eay some bacon and eggs now! All this talk about Keto has made my mouth water! :-)

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