Welcome to Debate Club! Please be aware that this is a space for respectful debate, and that your ideas will be challenged here. Please remember to critique the argument, not the author.
Keto diet = good or bad
jessemaus
Posts: 4 Member
in Debate Club
I started the Keto Diet 5 weeks ago . I was very skeptical because I heard that the Keto diet is only for people with seizures and cystic fibrosis . I am still a tiny bit skeptical but I lost 13lbs. Am I doing the right thing?
33
Replies
-
Specific diets that are undertaken with the sole goal of losing weight without an understanding of the underlying mechanics of weight loss aren't really doing anyone any favors.
Keto is a good option for some people because they find that the food choices and macro percentages naturally curb their hunger and keep them satisfied while maintaining a caloric deficit.
Others find good health benefits, though the results from keto on health seem to vary individually.
The bottom line is this -- if you like the food, if you find sticking to your calorie limit with the restrictions of keto easy, then keto is a good choice for you. If not, all that is needed to lose body fat is to take in less calories than you burn. Any sensible eating plan can do that if you eat the right amount of calories.88 -
Honestly, I think the keto diet is an absurd way to eat for the vast majority of people and most people who go on it do not even understand what it is. I know two people doing 'keto' where they only cut out sugar and flour, but continue to eat all other sources of carbs.
It cuts out legumes and severely limits fruit intake, when there is no evidence either of those food groups cause problems for people without specific medical problems. I think it's popular because it tells people what they want to believe- greasy salty meat good, most plants bad.
Have you tried just regular calorie counting, or following a lchf diet that isn't quite as extreme? Weight tends to fall off in the beginning and keto is great for losing water weight so if you start with keto, it seems like it makes weight loss a lot easier than it will be long term.72 -
I agree with happytree above but hey... I have been following some coaches who use a semi-keto approach for a limited amount of time on certain people for weight loss but then introduce higher carbs again. Never keep keto going for a long time.
Personally, can't think of anything worse - not eating all the good stuff. A healthy balanced diet at a caloric deficit with some exercise thrown in does the same job.
27 -
happytree923 wrote: »Honestly, I think the keto diet is an absurd way to eat for the vast majority of people and most people who go on it do not even understand what it is. I know two people doing 'keto' where they only cut out sugar and flour, but continue to eat all other sources of carbs.
It cuts out legumes and severely limits fruit intake, when there is no evidence either of those food groups cause problems for people without specific medical problems. I think it's popular because it tells people what they want to believe- greasy salty meat good, most plants bad.
Have you tried just regular calorie counting, or following a lchf diet that isn't quite as extreme? Weight tends to fall off in the beginning and keto is great for losing water weight so if you start with keto, it seems like it makes weight loss a lot easier than it will be long term.
Oh my god, somebody I used to work with told me about her keto diet, how she want eating carbs, etc, while pouring sugar into her coffee! I tried to say something but she told me carbs are bread and pays and flour, not sugar.
I wonder if they're related.20 -
It can help people with autoimmune diseases. Following a lower carb diet helps reduce inflammation. You don’t have to follow Atkins or Keto though and be as extreme and still get the health benefits.
30 -
Keto may be good for:
autoimmune diseases, CVD, epilepsy, stroke or other brain injuries, insulin resistance (PCOS, T2D, prediabetes, NAFLD, dementia), skin and hair, BP regulation, complimentary cancer treatments, migraine control, better energy, reducing appetite and cravings, good food, people who do better with abstinence than moderation.
It won't help everyone in those situations, like any treatment, but it may help some. Considering that list is more than half of North American adults, I think it could help many people.
Keto may not good for:
good food, getting sudden energy from food, those who prefer moderation to abstinence, some volume eaters, probably those with FH, those with lipid metabolizing disorders.
It won't harm everyone in those situations. Considering there are many healthy people out there without health or metabolic problems, I think those people would not be helped by it.
The fact that some people have not their research, and have confused lower carb with keto, is not actually a fault with keto but is more of a problem with people who jump on the bandwagon without checking it out first. It will happen with all diets; it's just happening more with keto now because of its sudden popularity.53 -
I started the Keto Diet 5 weeks ago . I was very skeptical because I heard that the Keto diet is only for people with seizures and cystic fibrosis . I am still a tiny bit skeptical but I lost 13lbs. Am I doing the right thing?
@jessemaus Kwto is just another Way Of Eating. Where it is good or bad for one they have to do a n=1 eating that WOE to know if it is good for bad for them.
In my case at the age of 63 and losing my remaining mobility I knew I had to try and find a new WOE that might be better at fixing my health issues. The first year my doctor was like What Ever! The next year she was not pleased with my high Vitamin D3 levels. Two months ago she gave me no eating or supplement advice and said she saw no health risks on the radar from my labs or her exam to my longevity and she would see me again in 12 months for my annual exam.
I notice people that do not do Keto tend to be negative about Keto and those who do Keto are not negative about Keto so I went with the crowd with personal experience.
Keto is not for everyone but over time our lab results will tell the tale. My first two weeks was hellish because I wound up having to cut my carb level cold turkey to stop the cravings and binging for the prior 40 years. Most perople starting in relative good health seem to have an easier time however.
The first 30 days was just plain weird but by day 90 I could see it was doable in my case but the full first year I hit several speed bumps when it came to carbs.
Key to my four year of success eating the Keto WOE was I started getting good arthritis pain management by day 30 which continues to improve over the past 4 years.
After 90 days I expect you may have your long term answer to your question at day 35. Best of success at finding the WOE that works best for you. We are different can not just blindly copy the WOE of another person.46 -
Yes I miss bread and pizza but I am satisfied that the keto/ LCHF way of eating is better for me. I have lost some weight and belly fat but I am in it for the other benefits as well. I guess like any other diet some aspects will be insurmountable and cause the diet to be rejected. I did count calories in the past but found it confining and was always hungry. I also started putting the weight and fat back on (thirty pounds). I don't eat sugar or sweets and my wife is allergic to wheat so both of us moving to keto was not a radical change. I am enjoying the food and how I feel now. I can see where people would find it restrictive but I have found it liberating. I do eat plenty of veggies and salads in my diet so I don't think I am malnourished. Waiting for my blood test to come back to see where those numbers are. The downside is it required that I greatly curtail my beer intake which is probably a good thing.29
-
NorthCascades wrote: »happytree923 wrote: »Honestly, I think the keto diet is an absurd way to eat for the vast majority of people and most people who go on it do not even understand what it is. I know two people doing 'keto' where they only cut out sugar and flour, but continue to eat all other sources of carbs.
It cuts out legumes and severely limits fruit intake, when there is no evidence either of those food groups cause problems for people without specific medical problems. I think it's popular because it tells people what they want to believe- greasy salty meat good, most plants bad.
Have you tried just regular calorie counting, or following a lchf diet that isn't quite as extreme? Weight tends to fall off in the beginning and keto is great for losing water weight so if you start with keto, it seems like it makes weight loss a lot easier than it will be long term.
Oh my god, somebody I used to work with told me about her keto diet, how she want eating carbs, etc, while pouring sugar into her coffee! I tried to say something but she told me carbs are bread and pays and flour, not sugar.
I wonder if they're related.
I've seen similar frequently - Cut out carbs and I eat so much more fruit and veg... Does not compute!6 -
Keto may be good for:
autoimmune diseases, CVD, epilepsy, stroke or other brain injuries, insulin resistance (PCOS, T2D, prediabetes, NAFLD, dementia), skin and hair, BP regulation, complimentary cancer treatments, migraine control, better energy, reducing appetite and cravings, good food, people who do better with abstinence than moderation.
It won't help everyone in those situations, like any treatment, but it may help some. Considering that list is more than half of North American adults, I think it could help many people.
Keto may not good for:
good food, getting sudden energy from food, those who prefer moderation to abstinence, some volume eaters, probably those with FH, those with lipid metabolizing disorders.
It won't harm everyone in those situations. Considering there are many healthy people out there without health or metabolic problems, I think those people would not be helped by it.
The fact that some people have not their research, and have confused lower carb with keto, is not actually a fault with keto but is more of a problem with people who jump on the bandwagon without checking it out first. It will happen with all diets; it's just happening more with keto now because of its sudden popularity.
I don't really count but estimate that I am <50 carbs. I am never really sure if I should classify as keto or LCHF. I don't really care all that much which.6 -
My husband has been using the Keto approach and it has been working for him. I say "approach" because he has not totally eliminated carbs. He's just mindful of how many carbs are in his foods. He manages to keep his carbs under 50 or no more than 60.10
-
Q: Keto Diet = good or bad?
A: Yes It is good or bad depending on if you are in a caloric deficit or not.23 -
It is neither inherently good or bad15
-
it was really bad for me but doesnt mean it will be for someone else. its worth a try if you think you can stick with it and it will be sustainable for you.3
-
I started the Keto Diet 5 weeks ago . I was very skeptical because I heard that the Keto diet is only for people with seizures and cystic fibrosis . I am still a tiny bit skeptical but I lost 13lbs. Am I doing the right thing?
Ive never heard its for those who have CF just those with seizures,type2 diabetes,pcos and insulin resistance and some that have alzheimers and parkinsons have seen some improvement in their conditions.2 -
I can’t say I’ve never been on it but everyone I’ve seen doing that diet, they look GOOD.27
-
I started the Keto Diet 5 weeks ago . I was very skeptical because I heard that the Keto diet is only for people with seizures and cystic fibrosis . I am still a tiny bit skeptical but I lost 13lbs. Am I doing the right thing?
Do you like the way you are eating? Is is something you can sustain long term? Are you tracking calories at all? Are you meeting your nutritional needs? Are you struggling to stick to it or feeling bored? You decide if it is right for you. It wouldn't be right for me.
You lose weight by having a calorie deficit from diet and/or exercise. A particular diet might be a preference or a medical need but you won't lose weight on any diet plan unless you are eating the right number of calories.13 -
Good or Bad is kind of vague. It could be asking good for my health or bad for my health. It could be asking is it a good WOE for me. It could be asking will I lose weight in a safe way.4
-
It's good if it helps you stay compliant, eliminate trigger foods, helps you form better relationships with foods and helps you long term to meeting a good weight.
It sucks if you struggle with diets that are super restrictive, and enjoy and are satiated by healthy carb sources likes fruits/veggies/starches.11 -
susan23629 wrote: »It can help people with autoimmune diseases. Following a lower carb diet helps reduce inflammation. You don’t have to follow Atkins or Keto though and be as extreme and still get the health benefits.
One point. Weight loss and improving food quality can also help reduce inflammation. Things like fruits, veggies and legumes have all been linked to improvement chronic inflammation issues, as well as, exercise and weight loss. If keto helps you get there though, great. Any improvements is better than the alternative.15
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 391.2K Introduce Yourself
- 43.4K Getting Started
- 259.7K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.6K Food and Nutrition
- 47.3K Recipes
- 232.3K Fitness and Exercise
- 386 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.4K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.7K Motivation and Support
- 7.8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.2K MyFitnessPal Information
- 22 News and Announcements
- 895 Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.2K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions