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Keto diet = good or bad
Replies
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Does Keto = good or bad? IMO, Keto = it depends. It depends on your lifestyle, preferences etc...2
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I have PCOS and Keto is the only way for many of us to lose weight. It also helps many women with PCOS regulate their hormones enough to have a period and/or conceive a baby. It helps with insulin resistance and also with a litany of other horrible symptoms that come along with this disease. I feel the best and look the best when I lower my carb and sugar intake. I think long term I would like to carb cycle and add days where I have fruits/ more of a Paleo approach.27
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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.
It's weird to me because one of the people doing 'keto' this way is usually a very thoughtful, careful person. Not the type you'd expect to jump on a fad diet without fully understanding it. But I think the number of people who don't understand it is a testament to how difficult and arbitrary keto is.9 -
I’ve done all the others and none of them helped with inflammation. So I’m doing low carb now. I’m not eliminating them completely. Just try to stay around 50. Maybe 75 on some days.8
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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.
Awesome. I think that is often a good way to approach it.
A past member referred to his diet as keto even though he regularly ate more than 200g of carbs a day, but he was VERY active and was going for multi hour mountainous bike rides, around which he times his carbs. He was usually in ketosis, but by most low carb definitions, he wasn't even low carb. LOL
I usually eat under 5g carbs, but my protein intake has gone up a fair bit and that could be affecting my ketone levels. I don't need high levels of ketones for a medical reason so I don't worry about it.5 -
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?
If you are trying to lose weight, you are doing it right.
If you are trying to gain or maintain, you are doing it very wrong.
Are you suggesting that a person can't maintain or gain on a keto?11 -
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?
If you are trying to lose weight, you are doing it right.
If you are trying to gain or maintain, you are doing it very wrong.
Are you suggesting that a person can't maintain or gain on a keto?
The OP said they were down 13 pounds, so I believe the point was that if their goal was to lose weight then they were doing it right. I don't see @crazyravr suggesting anything beyond that.8 -
The OP has lost 13 pounds, so if s/he is trying to lose weight, they're on the right track. If they're trying to gain or maintain, they're failing because they've lost 13 pounds. I believe that's what crazyravr was saying.6
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I guess I misunderstood, I took it as Keto is not good to maintain or gain weight generally. As I re-read how it pertains to the OP it makes more sense to me now. My mistake.2
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My husband just lost 70 pounds on Keto! He was supposed to start blood pressure medication in March. His blood pressure is down to 125/70.
He walked in the doctors office today and the doctor was thrilled as soon as he saw him. When he told him what he did, he said he is excited to see his blood work as he thinks his numbers are going to be good.
I’ve started Keto. I am down 31 pounds.
Don’t listen to everyone that says Keto is all about eating bacon.
I eat a ton of veggies everyday. I am actually aiming for higher protein than fat, unlike like many Keto people. I just stay away from sugar and don’t stress about it.
Maybe I should be considered low carb instead of Keto, since I am not into fatty meats.14 -
It's been weird to see Keto go huge like this because it is essentially Atkins rebranded with a new name since people realized the limited effectiveness of Atkins. While it does seem like Keto can cause people to lose weight quick, these type of diets tend to be bad for keeping the weight off, as they are hard to follow long term and people usually gain the weight back. Also, even if you are losing weight on it, eating diets high in saturated fats are not good for you. There is a reason why Nutrition doctors are coming out against it.
Carbs, fat, and protein are a necessary part of the human diet for the average person and completely cutting of one of those isn't usually a good thing. Obviously for people with certain health conditions it maybe benefiical, but your normal dieter is better off eating a balanced diet of real, healthy food. It may take a bit longer to lose it, but it is more sustainable.
That being said, I wish everyone on the Keto diet the best of luck and hope you have success with it in reaching your goals.24 -
charlene77 wrote: »My husband just lost 70 pounds on Keto! He was supposed to start blood pressure medication in March. His blood pressure is down to 125/70.
He walked in the doctors office today and the doctor was thrilled as soon as he saw him. When he told him what he did, he said he is excited to see his blood work as he thinks his numbers are going to be good.
I’ve started Keto. I am down 31 pounds.
Don’t listen to everyone that says Keto is all about eating bacon.
I eat a ton of veggies everyday. I am actually aiming for higher protein than fat, unlike like many Keto people. I just stay away from sugar and don’t stress about it.
Maybe I should be considered low carb instead of Keto, since I am not into fatty meats.
This is wonderful, but it doesn't sound like you are really doing Keto. On Keto you can't even eat most veggies because they are too high in carbs. And eating mostly fat is a feature of the diet, not a flaw. The diet you are pursuing sounds like a more sensible one.19 -
"Good or bad" in what context?2
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I have been following a ketogenic diet for a year, on medical advice, as I was pre-diabetic and showing insulin resistance. I also was on anti-hypertensives to control my high blood pressure. Within 6 weeks of starting I was off the anti-hypertensives and within 3 months had normalised my blood sugar and was no longer showing insulin resistance. I have had other health benefits including less joint pain from my arthritis and I no longer suffer from gastric reflux. As an added bonus I have lost 78 pounds. I did my research before starting this way of eating and have been medically supervised the whole time. My blood results are all good and within normal range. I do not lack energy, work full time as a registered nurse and regularly walk 10km 3-4 times a week.
My food consists of moderate protein and good fats like avocado and olive oil. Despite what people may think I eat a lot of vegetables as not all are high in carbohydrate and fit into my <20g net carbs a day. I avoid processed foods and now do not miss the sugar, pasta, bread, rice, fruit etc. that made up a large part of my pre keto diet.
Having said this I do believe that a ketogenic diet is not for everyone and do not feel that it is the only way to lose weight. I also believe that calories in and calories out do matter but have found it easier to control my eating on a ketogenic diet as I eat the foods I like and don't have the deep gnawing hunger pangs I used to have when eating a low fat diet.
When all is said and done we have to make our own decision on how we eat and find what works for us as an individual.23 -
I never tried Keto so can't say whether it's good or bad. However, I am not a fan of diets that restrict certain food groups. From what I've read about Keto, it doesn't sound like a long term solution for me (I can only speak for myself). What is working for me is eating whatever I want under 1500 calories a day and exercising three to four times per week. I don't feel deprived because I eat a variety of foods daily, including dark chocolate, pizza, subs and of course foods that are considered more healthy like lean meats, veggies and fruit. Keep in mind that I can only eat so much chocolate and pizza otherwise, I would exceed my daily calorie limit. It's certainly not a free for all but I feel satisfied because I'm not being restrictive.
Again, this is what works for me. If you are able to sustain the Keto diet, then for you, it's good. Like others have stated, it boils down to a calorie deficit and people accomplish this doing what works for them.7 -
charlene77 wrote: »My husband just lost 70 pounds on Keto! He was supposed to start blood pressure medication in March. His blood pressure is down to 125/70.
He walked in the doctors office today and the doctor was thrilled as soon as he saw him. When he told him what he did, he said he is excited to see his blood work as he thinks his numbers are going to be good.
I’ve started Keto. I am down 31 pounds.
Don’t listen to everyone that says Keto is all about eating bacon.
I eat a ton of veggies everyday. I am actually aiming for higher protein than fat, unlike like many Keto people. I just stay away from sugar and don’t stress about it.
Maybe I should be considered low carb instead of Keto, since I am not into fatty meats.
You both lost weight not because of Keto. You simply lost weight due to calorie deficit. Its that simple.
So predictable, when someone has success with a keto WOE a flurry of following post will claim keto had nothing to do with it. For the record keto has nothing to do with my 22 pound loss and it was effortless with no calorie counting.23 -
I have been following a ketogenic diet for a year, on medical advice, as I was pre-diabetic and showing insulin resistance. I also was on anti-hypertensives to control my high blood pressure. Within 6 weeks of starting I was off the anti-hypertensives and within 3 months had normalised my blood sugar and was no longer showing insulin resistance. I have had other health benefits including less joint pain from my arthritis and I no longer suffer from gastric reflux. As an added bonus I have lost 78 pounds. I did my research before starting this way of eating and have been medically supervised the whole time. My blood results are all good and within normal range. I do not lack energy, work full time as a registered nurse and regularly walk 10km 3-4 times a week.
My food consists of moderate protein and good fats like avocado and olive oil. Despite what people may think I eat a lot of vegetables as not all are high in carbohydrate and fit into my <20g net carbs a day. I avoid processed foods and now do not miss the sugar, pasta, bread, rice, fruit etc. that made up a large part of my pre keto diet.
Having said this I do believe that a ketogenic diet is not for everyone and do not feel that it is the only way to lose weight. I also believe that calories in and calories out do matter but have found it easier to control my eating on a ketogenic diet as I eat the foods I like and don't have the deep gnawing hunger pangs I used to have when eating a low fat diet.
When all is said and done we have to make our own decision on how we eat and find what works for us as an individual.
@dmcnur I agree keto is not for everyone nor is it the only way to lose weight. After eating the keto way for 4 years and have experience better health even before I lost the first pound on day 45 it has always boggled my mind how Keto can lead to such health gains year after year in my body with no negative side effect that my MD can find because initially she was far far from Keto pro.
Recently I read good health is about good nutrition and obesity is caused by poor nutrition. It seems our bodies knows to eat more when it is short on nutrition of any type but it will eat more of what is in front of it especially in we humans.
Cravings are natural so that we seek out the nutrition the body needs when it detects a deficiency of any type. While at my age of 63 and very poor physical health the first two weeks I gave up all highly processed food (a washed apple is processed food technically) it was hellish for me but then the cravings just started to fade fast and four years later still have not returned.
It seems from my experience eating natural foods vs processed food gives me more of the nutrition that my body needs. Eating foods short of needed nutrition lead to cravings that lead to obesity and declining state of health due to my body not getting the nutrition it was seeking on my old Way Of Eating.
Finally learning the root case of obesity is the lack of needed nutrition instead of calories helped me understand why going off highly processed foods often short on nutrition to go Keto has greatly improved my health since I have not cut my calories but just changed their sources. I found macros trumps calories in my case for better health and weight management. Keto helping resolve my 40 years of high pain levels still boggles my mind to this day.
Thanks to you and the others sharing actual personal experiences with Keto.
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GaleHawkins wrote: »I have been following a ketogenic diet for a year, on medical advice, as I was pre-diabetic and showing insulin resistance. I also was on anti-hypertensives to control my high blood pressure. Within 6 weeks of starting I was off the anti-hypertensives and within 3 months had normalised my blood sugar and was no longer showing insulin resistance. I have had other health benefits including less joint pain from my arthritis and I no longer suffer from gastric reflux. As an added bonus I have lost 78 pounds. I did my research before starting this way of eating and have been medically supervised the whole time. My blood results are all good and within normal range. I do not lack energy, work full time as a registered nurse and regularly walk 10km 3-4 times a week.
My food consists of moderate protein and good fats like avocado and olive oil. Despite what people may think I eat a lot of vegetables as not all are high in carbohydrate and fit into my <20g net carbs a day. I avoid processed foods and now do not miss the sugar, pasta, bread, rice, fruit etc. that made up a large part of my pre keto diet.
Having said this I do believe that a ketogenic diet is not for everyone and do not feel that it is the only way to lose weight. I also believe that calories in and calories out do matter but have found it easier to control my eating on a ketogenic diet as I eat the foods I like and don't have the deep gnawing hunger pangs I used to have when eating a low fat diet.
When all is said and done we have to make our own decision on how we eat and find what works for us as an individual.
@dmcnur I agree keto is not for everyone nor is it the only way to lose weight. After eating the keto way for 4 years and have experience better health even before I lost the first pound on day 45 it has always boggled my mind how Keto can lead to such health gains year after year in my body with no negative side effect that my MD can find because initially she was far far from Keto pro.
Recently I read good health is about good nutrition and obesity is caused by poor nutrition. It seems our bodies knows to eat more when it is short on nutrition of any type but it will eat more of what is in front of it especially in we humans.
Cravings are natural so that we seek out the nutrition the body needs when it detects a deficiency of any type. While at my age of 63 and very poor physical health the first two weeks I gave up all highly processed food (a washed apple is processed food technically) it was hellish for me but then the cravings just started to fade fast and four years later still have not returned.
It seems from my experience eating natural foods vs processed food gives me more of the nutrition that my body needs. Eating foods short of needed nutrition lead to cravings that lead to obesity and declining state of health due to my body not getting the nutrition it was seeking on my old Way Of Eating.
Finally learning the root case of obesity is the lack of needed nutrition instead of calories helped me understand why going off highly processed foods often short on nutrition to go Keto has greatly improved my health since I have not cut my calories but just changed their sources. I found macros trumps calories in my case for better health and weight management. Keto helping resolve my 40 years of high pain levels still boggles my mind to this day.
Thanks to you and the others sharing actual personal experiences with Keto.
Looking specifically at the bolded part... is there any merit to that claim? I know my personal, subjective experience supports that, but I have no idea WHY my cravings come and go at times.
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charlene77 wrote: »My husband just lost 70 pounds on Keto! He was supposed to start blood pressure medication in March. His blood pressure is down to 125/70.
He walked in the doctors office today and the doctor was thrilled as soon as he saw him. When he told him what he did, he said he is excited to see his blood work as he thinks his numbers are going to be good.
I’ve started Keto. I am down 31 pounds.
Don’t listen to everyone that says Keto is all about eating bacon.
I eat a ton of veggies everyday. I am actually aiming for higher protein than fat, unlike like many Keto people. I just stay away from sugar and don’t stress about it.
Maybe I should be considered low carb instead of Keto, since I am not into fatty meats.
You both lost weight not because of Keto. You simply lost weight due to calorie deficit. Its that simple.
So predictable, when someone has success with a keto WOE a flurry of following post will claim keto had nothing to do with it. For the record keto has nothing to do with my 22 pound loss and it was effortless with no calorie counting.
It's important to differentiate how someone lost weight (how they did it) and why they lost weight (the underlying mechanism...). If that is not addressed you could have the potential of a person believing (insert diet) is the best way to lose weight. If that particular person say can't stick to (insert diet) they may feel hopeless because they have no other alternative... but in reality they do.
It's not a knock on Keto, just an important clarification...15 -
https://nutritiouslife.com/eat-empowered/food-cravings-really-mean/
@jjpptt2 the above is just a quick find that can help us all learn how to dig deeper on this subject. As noted this is relative a new discovery for most of us.
Just learning calories was not the root cause of my 40 years of obesity has been helpful already.26
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