Is keto actually worth it?
meeper123
Posts: 3,347 Member
I been researching this for awhile now and while I have seen some amazing transformations on keto. I have seen some amazing one on just a regular diet as well. I am conflicted because though I dont have a gallbladder I have been assured that with some precautions I can still do it. I am however concerned with how restrictive it is. Anyone doing this? What is your experience?
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Replies
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I have been doing keto for about 15 months now for migraine control.
For weight loss, it's not magic, it works the same as any other diet, you still have to eat less.
Some people find that it helps suppress their appetite. For people with blood sugar issues or other health concerns it can be a great treatment. But for weight loss whatever is most sustainable for you is going to be what really works. If you find the food list restrictive, then it's probably not the best plan for you.11 -
Ok ya cause I have done restrictive diets in the past and I struggled so hard to stick to them
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I'd try a regular diet first, given the gallbladder issue. Some find keto is the only thing that helps with appetite control or feels easier, but I think most will have no appetite problems just eating a healthy diet and experimenting with things like eating time and volume.7
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Keto is restrictive. For some though, the appetite suppressing effects make it feel less restrictive than just calorie restriction. If you have no cravings and less appetite, you may not want to eat the variety and amounts that you normally do. Some ketoers find they need to mainly restrict food choices and then calorie restriction comes fairly naturally. Others prefer to just concentrate on calorie restriction - that never worked long for me.
The only way to know how it will affect you is to try it. If you do, make sure you get extra sodium, often 2+ tsp of salt a day, to avoid the Keto flu/electrolyte imbalance that comes from cutting carbs.
There are a few long term ketoers in the Low Carber Daily and Keto MFP groups without gall bladders. You could always question them about possible problems.
Good luck.6 -
I'd try a regular diet first, given the gallbladder issue. Some find keto is the only thing that helps with appetite control or feels easier, but I think most will have no appetite problems just eating a healthy diet and experimenting with things like eating time and volume.
^^This.5 -
I think its an "if it suits your body", it does not matter if it suits the many it does because there are many others for whom it is simply not doable. You will remember your downfall using restricted diets in the past, if anything about your Keto plan resembles anything you have tried before, I doubt this will be for you. From experience I know my body needs some carbs, a higher and wider range than keto prescribes. One's chosen way of eating is a very personal thing something not to be too drastic with, moderation in all aspects works best for so many.
If you are intent on trying Keto, I would work up to it over weeks rather than dive right in. The downfall for many is having sufficient fibre to keep a good digestive transit, doing it this way, gently, it would be something you could access as you go before possibly developing real issues from the outset.1 -
You can do a hybrid of course. I know a lot of people that just don’t eat grains, rice, potatoes but don’t focus on tracking their carbs. It’s helpful for them because it eliminates typically higher calorie foods, isn’t too restricting, and still gets you into a calorie deficit (which is the only way to lose weight).
There’s nothing wrong with trying it and then shelving it if you don’t get the results or if you hate life.4 -
From my completely personal experience, I HATED it. It was way too restrictive for me, and triggered my binge eating disorder.<< not saying this is a typical reaction, I have a history of disordered eating, just giving you my experience. Woo if you must.
I *did* lose weight on it, but when I went back to my MFP logs from then, I was eating like 1,000-1,200 calories a day, so duh, of course I lose weight.
Though I never discount it completely, because I have seen a lot of people do it successfully, so that's really your choice. I would make a sample meal plan with all super low carb foods, see how many net carbs it is, and figure out if it's something that is sustainable long-term for you.
Unless you can see yourself eating that way for the rest of your life, it's pointless.
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I think it depends on the person. Some people thrive on it and it really helps control their appetite (and may help with a variety of health conditions). My body does not like it. If it appeals to you, give it a try and see how it works.0
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I'm not against it, but it was hard to stick to long-term. I could do it for a few weeks, but then I'd get off ONE DAY and then take a week to get back on again. I kept thinking, I'd reach a point where it was a lifestyle change... but honestly, I wish I would have used that time to set realistic calorie goals that were attainable for me.6
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It's been working for me initially, but I have a long way to go so waiting to see when I plateau.0
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It was worth it to me, as I used keto to lose all my weight.
But ultimately what is "worth it" is whatever plan works for you to keep a calorie deficit long term enough to hit your goal weight. And after that whatever you do to maintain. I do carb and calorie cycling to maintain my weight loss.3 -
I tried keto (for maintenance not loss) out of curiosity about it helping with satiety but it made me feel horrible and lethargic with very low energy and didn’t help with cravings at all. I felt so bad I had my doctor check me out but I was healthy, the low carb was just making me feel tired all the time. I’m a runner so maybe I just need my carbs!
After 6 months I stopped the keto and felt immediately better and I don’t see myself trying it again. Ymmv 
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breefoshee wrote: »I'm not against it, but it was hard to stick to long-term. I could do it for a few weeks, but then I'd get off ONE DAY and then take a week to get back on again. I kept thinking, I'd reach a point where it was a lifestyle change... but honestly, I wish I would have used that time to set realistic calorie goals that were attainable for me.
Yep! You REALLY have to make a lifelong choice, or you feel sick every time you get in and out of ketosis. Just not worth all the trouble for me personally. And I got superrrr frustrated at constantly trying to balance my electrolytes so I wouldn't feel weak and sick.2 -
whatalazyidiot wrote: »breefoshee wrote: »I'm not against it, but it was hard to stick to long-term. I could do it for a few weeks, but then I'd get off ONE DAY and then take a week to get back on again. I kept thinking, I'd reach a point where it was a lifestyle change... but honestly, I wish I would have used that time to set realistic calorie goals that were attainable for me.
Yep! You REALLY have to make a lifelong choice, or you feel sick every time you get in and out of ketosis. Just not worth all the trouble for me personally. And I got superrrr frustrated at constantly trying to balance my electrolytes so I wouldn't feel weak and sick.
I think this varies between people. Some have been carb cycling for a long time.2 -
I tried it for six weeks in hope of getting some relief for my migraines. It was a dismal failure in every way possible.
For me.
Others have different experience with it, and that's great. Ultimately, I think any person who sticks with weight loss/maintenance over the long haul ends up creating their own customized eating plan after coming to know what works for them.5 -
whatalazyidiot wrote: »breefoshee wrote: »I'm not against it, but it was hard to stick to long-term. I could do it for a few weeks, but then I'd get off ONE DAY and then take a week to get back on again. I kept thinking, I'd reach a point where it was a lifestyle change... but honestly, I wish I would have used that time to set realistic calorie goals that were attainable for me.
Yep! You REALLY have to make a lifelong choice, or you feel sick every time you get in and out of ketosis. Just not worth all the trouble for me personally. And I got superrrr frustrated at constantly trying to balance my electrolytes so I wouldn't feel weak and sick.
I think this varies between people. Some have been carb cycling for a long time.
Yeah I don't doubt that. My body just crazy hated it.1 -
GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »I tried it for six weeks in hope of getting some relief for my migraines. It was a dismal failure in every way possible.
For me.
Others have different experience with it, and that's great. Ultimately, I think any person who sticks with weight loss/maintenance over the long haul ends up creating their own customized eating plan after coming to know what works for them.
You mean maybe a cutomized plan like this one?
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10636388/free-customized-personal-weight-loss-eating-plan-not-spam-or-mlm
(shameless plug! ). 5 -
GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »I tried it for six weeks in hope of getting some relief for my migraines. It was a dismal failure in every way possible.
For me.
Others have different experience with it, and that's great. Ultimately, I think any person who sticks with weight loss/maintenance over the long haul ends up creating their own customized eating plan after coming to know what works for them.
You mean maybe a cutomized plan like this one?
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10636388/free-customized-personal-weight-loss-eating-plan-not-spam-or-mlm
(shameless plug! ).
I can vouch for this plan
3 -
I used to be able to lose weight by counting calories but now I have a disease where I will be on steroids daily for the rest of my life. And calorie counting simply does not work. I ate 1300 for 2 months and didn't lose 1lb. 2 months ago I started keto. I have lost almost 25lbs!
6 -
It’s hard. I lost 8lbs in the 2 weeks that I did it but I think it was water weight. It all came back when I ate normal again. It’s too restrictive for me personally. Majority of food has carbs lol. I’m using this app to calorie count!! 1200 a day.3
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I have some friends who are all-in on the keto thing. They love it & have gotten some phenomenal results.
Me, on the other hand...I like carbs. I enjoy my favorite carb-y foods (including rice, pasta, bread, fruit...) and still lose weight etc. I don't want to be restricted to 20g of total carbs per day. Nope. I prefer a better-balanced approach. But to each their own. If it works for you, roll with it!3 -
You have to find whatever works FOR YOU. Keto could be it, or maybe just calorie counting will work. You'll never know until you give it a chance. Try something for a month. Just one month, give whatever diet you choose a chance. If after that month, you're not feeling it... switch it up. Don't go back to old ways, try something different and keep going until you find a sustainable diet that works for you.
I've been keto for 6m now (and down 40lbs) and it's a good fit for me. I work well with restrictive diets, especially this one b/c there are keto versions of some comfort foods that helped me at the beginning when I was craving junk food. Plus eating this way and eating good fats helps me feel satisfied. Portion control diets don't work for me. I get a taste of a bad food, I want it all and my body wants it all. Plus I could eat and eat and eat junk food and never feel full b/c my body starts cravings it more and more.1 -
If restriction style diets haven't worked for you in the past, they probably won't work this time either. This was my experience with Paleo and Keto. Paleo had a lot of unnecessary rules which made compliance hard. Keto had too much restriction, which didn't allow me to get enough fiber, and I always felt tired and lethargic, even though I ate tons of sodium. Where I lost most of my weight 6 years ago was focusing on protein, fiber and whole foods. I did occasionally eat whatever, but most days, treats were 10% or less of my daily calories.7
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whatalazyidiot wrote: »From my completely personal experience, I HATED it. It was way too restrictive for me, and triggered my binge eating disorder.<< not saying this is a typical reaction, I have a history of disordered eating, just giving you my experience. Woo if you must.
I *did* lose weight on it, but when I went back to my MFP logs from then, I was eating like 1,000-1,200 calories a day, so duh, of course I lose weight.
Though I never discount it completely, because I have seen a lot of people do it successfully, so that's really your choice. I would make a sample meal plan with all super low carb foods, see how many net carbs it is, and figure out if it's something that is sustainable long-term for you.
Unless you can see yourself eating that way for the rest of your life, it's pointless.
I am actually struggling with balemia and binge eating so I think you are right just not for me2 -
GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »I tried it for six weeks in hope of getting some relief for my migraines. It was a dismal failure in every way possible.
For me.
Others have different experience with it, and that's great. Ultimately, I think any person who sticks with weight loss/maintenance over the long haul ends up creating their own customized eating plan after coming to know what works for them.
You mean maybe a cutomized plan like this one?
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10636388/free-customized-personal-weight-loss-eating-plan-not-spam-or-mlm
(shameless plug! ).
I can vouch for this plan
That's actually perfect I will do it2 -
It works for the same reason any other eating plan does:
CI < CO
As for the macros, the plan was designed for children with epilepsy (to control their seizures), and they have to work closely with their health care team to not do further damage.
If you have a disorder that diet could help, and you're working with your doctor and dietitian, give it a try. Maybe it will help you.
Otherwise, why put your body through the risk?
Also think about how you will get back to normal eating. Instead of learning healthy patterns from the first, now you're having to unlearn 2 bad eating habits.3 -
Not enough information.Sarah wrote:I used to be able to lose weight by counting calories but now I have a disease where I will be on steroids daily for the rest of my life.
And calorie counting simply does not work. I ate 1300 for 2 months and didn't lose 1lb. 2 months ago I started keto. I have lost almost 25lbs!
1 - Was the type of food all that changed? (Same exercise, same calorie intake, etc.)
2 - How many calories have you been eating in the last 2 months, during keto?
I'm betting it's below 1300 because you're losing weight.8 -
It works for the same reason any other eating plan does:
CI < CO
As for the macros, the plan was designed for children with epilepsy (to control their seizures), and they have to work closely with their health care team to not do further damage.
If you have a disorder that diet could help, and you're working with your doctor and dietitian, give it a try. Maybe it will help you.
Otherwise, why put your body through the risk?
Also think about how you will get back to normal eating. Instead of learning healthy patterns from the first, now you're having to unlearn 2 bad eating habits.
The Keto diet has actually existed for centuries but it was epilepsy that showed the possible health benefits. Keto for epileptics is often very strict, with a 3:1 or 4:1 fat to protein and carbs ratio. It tends to be high in vegetable oils and low in meat in order to restrict protein. It is also calorie restricted which tends to impact epileptic children's growth.
A typical ketogenic diet mainly restricts carbs to under 50g. Protein is not limited and is most often moderate. A well formulated ketogenic diet will usually have a lot of whole foods and natural fats - a healthy diet.
But it sounds as though the OP does not feel it would suit them anyways. 1 -
Not enough information.Sarah wrote:I used to be able to lose weight by counting calories but now I have a disease where I will be on steroids daily for the rest of my life.
And calorie counting simply does not work. I ate 1300 for 2 months and didn't lose 1lb. 2 months ago I started keto. I have lost almost 25lbs!
1 - Was the type of food all that changed? (Same exercise, same calorie intake, etc.)
2 - How many calories have you been eating in the last 2 months, during keto?
I'm betting it's below 1300 because you're losing weight.
Yes the food is all the changed. I don't exercise at all as I can't with my disease. I was eating 1300 a day before and I mostly eat 1300 a day now, though I do eat up to 1500 some days now.
Believe me, I have always used calorie counting in the past with great results. But since starting on steroids it simply stopped working. A lot of people with my disease do low carb or keto to help with weight loss because they find calorie counting doesn't work anymore.3
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