New Member, I think I’m Keto?
GammieLCHF
Posts: 139 Member
Hi! I’m a mom of five and now a grandma of five. I need to lose 100 pounds, improve my stamina and health, and control my diabetes. I’m doing that by eating around 20 net carbs a day and walking every day (unless it’s bad weather). Please add me if you have an open diary, I love reading what others are eating and it inspires me and gives me ideas.
My question is on term “Keto”. I see your info post links to diet doctor’s LCHF page which is how I eat (obviously based on my username) but my daughter tells me I’m “not keto” because I eat dairy and things like sweeteners. Can someone clarify the difference for me, please?
My question is on term “Keto”. I see your info post links to diet doctor’s LCHF page which is how I eat (obviously based on my username) but my daughter tells me I’m “not keto” because I eat dairy and things like sweeteners. Can someone clarify the difference for me, please?
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You can absolutely eat dairy and sweeteners with the keto diet it. It all depends if it fits in your macros for the day and if your blood sugar is affected by artificial sweeteners. In fact high-fat dairy can be a crucial part of the keto diet.4
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You’re still keto if your sweeteners are not the type that affect blood sugar.
There are different ways that people choose to eat keto. Some don’t use any sweeteners or make any replacement foods. Those things actually can be a problem for many people. That doesn’t mean that using them is not keto though.
Some people refer to the heavy use of sweeteners and fat bombs and fake breads as a bastardized version of keto.
While that is not my personal preference and I do encourage people to focus on real foods and not fake ones, it’s still better than the standard American diet and if it works for you. Go for it.
As far as dairy goes, milk is generally not a good fit for keto but cheese, cream and butter and similar things can definitely fit.5 -
There are several different versions of keto, but it looks like your goal is below 45g of carbs per day, so yes, that definitely qualifies as keto!!!3
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Had these for dinner (one of them) - they do use a tiny bit of flour, but they are only 2.3 carbs each (I figured the recipe for nine rather than 12, and didn’t use any egg yolks). I was amazed at the breadiness of them. I think I found my new sandwich bread! I think the key is going to be moderation and filling them with satiating high fat low carb fillings. http://www.findingradiance.com/2011/02/24/magic-rolls-eades-low-carb-comfort-foods/2
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You are honestly only "keto" if you are in ketosis, which is a nutritional process characterized by serum concentrations of ketone bodies over 0.5 mol/L.2
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Yes as tmpecus78 says, Keto is a term used to describe eating in a way to get your metabolism into the Ketogenic state where your body burns stored fat for energy instead of using Glucose.
You will read that you can think you are in ketosis if your "breath smells a certain way", or if "you have ketones in your urine"... well you can get the cheaper method of ketone urine strips but if you want to know correctly if you are always in ketosis then get yourself a blood ketone monitor. You can find lot's of info online why the urine ketone strips are not a good way of going by to know for sure the state your metabolism is in... But a lot of folks use that method so it's better than nothing but blood monitor is the most accurate way to go by far.
Keep in mind that not all people are the same. Everyone can find that they have to eat different amounts of carbs per day to get and stay in ketosis. Even on this forum you will find all kinds of different numbers people are saying (claiming) that they can/do eat a day and are "in ketosis" The facts are no one really "knows" they are in ketosis without consistently testing their blood ketones. Any professional dietician trained in this will tell you this same thing. And going in and out of ketosis is by no means an efficient way of converting your metabolism into a ketogenic fat burning one. It's a lifestyle change that if done right completely changes your metabolism and how it all functions. Get blood/urine lab tests and seek professional advice. I can't stress the importance of that enough. No one in my opinion should be taking any strangers (non professional) advice from the internet without talking to their own doctors, dieticians etc first and should continue to do so along their whole fat loss journey.4 -
I do the urine strips. I find the blood ones too expensive. And I keep my net carbs at around 20, so I’m pretty sure they are pretty accurate for me. On top of that, my blood sugars are great on what I eat (I do blood testing for that).
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GammieLCHF wrote: »I do the urine strips. I find the blood ones too expensive. And I keep my net carbs at around 20, so I’m pretty sure they are pretty accurate for me. On top of that, my blood sugars are great on what I eat (I do blood testing for that).
Yes blood strips can be expensive, but they are the only true was to measure, well besides measuring acetone via breath meter. You do realize that with urine strips you are measuring ketones that your body is passing. So in your first few weeks of ketogenic dieting when your body isn't set up to use ketones, you will pass them in your urine. As your body switches from being a sugar burner to a fat burner you will start to use the ketones your body produces for energy, thus resulting in less ketones in your urine. This is where the urine strips become pretty much worthless.
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If I used the ketones all up, sure. I don’t have that problem yet. I’ve always had very accurate ketostix. If I stray, they never lie. If I’m steady, they are dark. I can’t say why they work different for you. I just know they work great for me and give me a hit of motivation every day for about six cents.
Ps. The ketones are not my driving measurements. My order is: blood sugar, joint pain (I have several chronic conditions), weight loss and ketostix way at the end. But they are still on my list and I like ‘em.1 -
GammieLCHF wrote: »If I used the ketones all up, sure. I don’t have that problem yet. I’ve always had very accurate ketostix. If I stray, they never lie. If I’m steady, they are dark. I can’t say why they work different for you. I just know they work great for me and give me a hit of motivation every day for about six cents.
Ps. The ketones are not my driving measurements. My order is: blood sugar, joint pain (I have several chronic conditions), weight loss and ketostix way at the end. But they are still on my list and I like ‘em.
The urine strips seem to function for me as well. Even now, 4 years later they always show at least trace ketones. I know that some people do not get any positive test result at all despite being Ketosis confirmed by other testing methods. My opinion on that is the urine strips are easily influenced by how much fluid you drink. I do not drink a lot. I tested the idea on myself once where I drank a lot of black coffee and remained fasted over several hours and each test got lighter and lighter. When the diuretic effect of the coffee was in full swing and I was in the bathroom every hour I was testing negative. I think it just had to do with how frequently I was emptying my bladder and how diluted the urine was.
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GammieLCHF wrote: »If I used the ketones all up, sure. I don’t have that problem yet. I’ve always had very accurate ketostix. If I stray, they never lie. If I’m steady, they are dark. I can’t say why they work different for you. I just know they work great for me and give me a hit of motivation every day for about six cents.
Ps. The ketones are not my driving measurements. My order is: blood sugar, joint pain (I have several chronic conditions), weight loss and ketostix way at the end. But they are still on my list and I like ‘em.
If they are not your driving measurement, why test them at all? let me guess, cause they are 6 cents?Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »GammieLCHF wrote: »If I used the ketones all up, sure. I don’t have that problem yet. I’ve always had very accurate ketostix. If I stray, they never lie. If I’m steady, they are dark. I can’t say why they work different for you. I just know they work great for me and give me a hit of motivation every day for about six cents.
Ps. The ketones are not my driving measurements. My order is: blood sugar, joint pain (I have several chronic conditions), weight loss and ketostix way at the end. But they are still on my list and I like ‘em.
The urine strips seem to function for me as well. Even now, 4 years later they always show at least trace ketones. I know that some people do not get any positive test result at all despite being Ketosis confirmed by other testing methods. My opinion on that is the urine strips are easily influenced by how much fluid you drink. I do not drink a lot. I tested the idea on myself once where I drank a lot of black coffee and remained fasted over several hours and each test got lighter and lighter. When the diuretic effect of the coffee was in full swing and I was in the bathroom every hour I was testing negative. I think it just had to do with how frequently I was emptying my bladder and how diluted the urine was.
Testing is def not a requirement, however if I'm gonna test, I personally don't see the use is measuring ketones my body isn't using. I wouldn't be too "thrilled" about seeing a high level of ketones going into the toilet.2 -
Home blood ketone monitoring equipment can easily be off by +/_ 0.5 mmol/L so it's kind of like having a scale, if it's a metric you care about, go for it, but it's just another metric and the number won't change anything that is actually happening in your body.1
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The fact that you track here and can easily see your macros should tell you all you need to know about whether or not you are "not keto."
Additionally, your woe seems to be working for all the things that you are hoping to fix, and you get to eat your dairy and your sweeteners. Sounds like a win to me.3 -
GammieLCHF wrote: »If I used the ketones all up, sure. I don’t have that problem yet. I’ve always had very accurate ketostix. If I stray, they never lie. If I’m steady, they are dark. I can’t say why they work different for you. I just know they work great for me and give me a hit of motivation every day for about six cents.
Ps. The ketones are not my driving measurements. My order is: blood sugar, joint pain (I have several chronic conditions), weight loss and ketostix way at the end. But they are still on my list and I like ‘em.
If they are not your driving measurement, why test them at all? let me guess, cause they are 6 cents?Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »GammieLCHF wrote: »If I used the ketones all up, sure. I don’t have that problem yet. I’ve always had very accurate ketostix. If I stray, they never lie. If I’m steady, they are dark. I can’t say why they work different for you. I just know they work great for me and give me a hit of motivation every day for about six cents.
Ps. The ketones are not my driving measurements. My order is: blood sugar, joint pain (I have several chronic conditions), weight loss and ketostix way at the end. But they are still on my list and I like ‘em.
The urine strips seem to function for me as well. Even now, 4 years later they always show at least trace ketones. I know that some people do not get any positive test result at all despite being Ketosis confirmed by other testing methods. My opinion on that is the urine strips are easily influenced by how much fluid you drink. I do not drink a lot. I tested the idea on myself once where I drank a lot of black coffee and remained fasted over several hours and each test got lighter and lighter. When the diuretic effect of the coffee was in full swing and I was in the bathroom every hour I was testing negative. I think it just had to do with how frequently I was emptying my bladder and how diluted the urine was.
Testing is def not a requirement, however if I'm gonna test, I personally don't see the use is measuring ketones my body isn't using. I wouldn't be too "thrilled" about seeing a high level of ketones going into the toilet.
Are you rude all the time or just having a bad day?3 -
DvlDwnInGA wrote: »The fact that you track here and can easily see your macros should tell you all you need to know about whether or not you are "not keto."
Additionally, your woe seems to be working for all the things that you are hoping to fix, and you get to eat your dairy and your sweeteners. Sounds like a win to me.
Yes, I was more asking if this group was hard core no aeeetener no dairy no grain keto or you’re outta here like some FB groups.0 -
GammieLCHF wrote: »Are you rude all the time or just having a bad day?
I was just asking the question. I honestly did not mean for that comment to come off as rude.
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GammieLCHF wrote: »Are you rude all the time or just having a bad day?
I was just asking the question. I honestly did not mean for that comment to come off as rude.
Ok I apologize. I took it as snarky.
No I don’t just use them cause they are six cents each. I use them because I find them accurate and they mirror how I’m eating. I like the motivation of seeing that I’m dropping lots of ketones and I also am using ones that test for sugar and protein in my pee as well as about ten other things (photo further up).0 -
GammieLCHF wrote: »Are you rude all the time or just having a bad day?
I was just asking the question. I honestly did not mean for that comment to come off as rude.
Gammie isn't the only one who took it that way. Honestly, now it just looks like you are backpedaling.4 -
GammieLCHF wrote: »Ok I apologize. I took it as snarky.
No I don’t just use them cause they are six cents each. I use them because I find them accurate and they mirror how I’m eating. I like the motivation of seeing that I’m dropping lots of ketones and I also am using ones that test for blood sugar and protein in my pee as well as about ten other things (photo further up).
Thats great that you are having success and that it is motivating you. All I am saying is that the purpose of eating a ketogenic diet (besides the amazing taste of fatty foods) is to benefit from the production on ketones, right? I personally love the way I feel when I run on ketone bodies compared to the way I feel on high amounts of glucose. With that being said, seeing high amounts on ketones in your urine is letting you know that your body is still yet to become efficient at using ketones as an energy source, hence why you are peeing them out.
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Or it means that I am excreting more ketones and therefore more fat is breaking down than my body is able to use. I’m down 13 pounds in two weeks, so I think that’s likely. Maybe when my losses slow, I’ll use all the ketones I excrete. Maybe not. I’ve done this before for six months and I also was dropping color. So....0
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As you can imagine, my tolerance for *kitten* flinging is already hanging on a thin thread. Can we not do battle today?
GammieLCHF and tmpecus78 are ok with each other, so we'll let it lie. The end.4 -
A perfect and beautiful happy loving way to know you're in full time ketosis. I'm jolly and happy knowing that I am not just in ketosis but in full time optimal ketosis. With urine strips I wouldn't have a clue what was truly going on with my metabolism. Happy happy love and hugs for you all!
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Even better today after raising my proteins even more for this week. Fasting blood sugar is perfect too
Fat intake way down, protein up and carbs still very low at under 15 but most days around 10 gr or less. Seems upping protein, upping calories, increasing my fasting hours has really tweeked things nicely. Seems a little contrary to some of the info out there hmmmm 🤔 Lean mass building = good good good 
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GammieLCHF wrote: »If I used the ketones all up, sure. I don’t have that problem yet. I’ve always had very accurate ketostix. If I stray, they never lie. If I’m steady, they are dark. I can’t say why they work different for you. I just know they work great for me and give me a hit of motivation every day for about six cents.
Ps. The ketones are not my driving measurements. My order is: blood sugar, joint pain (I have several chronic conditions), weight loss and ketostix way at the end. But they are still on my list and I like ‘em.
If they are not your driving measurement, why test them at all? let me guess, cause they are 6 cents?Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »GammieLCHF wrote: »If I used the ketones all up, sure. I don’t have that problem yet. I’ve always had very accurate ketostix. If I stray, they never lie. If I’m steady, they are dark. I can’t say why they work different for you. I just know they work great for me and give me a hit of motivation every day for about six cents.
Ps. The ketones are not my driving measurements. My order is: blood sugar, joint pain (I have several chronic conditions), weight loss and ketostix way at the end. But they are still on my list and I like ‘em.
The urine strips seem to function for me as well. Even now, 4 years later they always show at least trace ketones. I know that some people do not get any positive test result at all despite being Ketosis confirmed by other testing methods. My opinion on that is the urine strips are easily influenced by how much fluid you drink. I do not drink a lot. I tested the idea on myself once where I drank a lot of black coffee and remained fasted over several hours and each test got lighter and lighter. When the diuretic effect of the coffee was in full swing and I was in the bathroom every hour I was testing negative. I think it just had to do with how frequently I was emptying my bladder and how diluted the urine was.
Testing is def not a requirement, however if I'm gonna test, I personally don't see the use is measuring ketones my body isn't using. I wouldn't be too "thrilled" about seeing a high level of ketones going into the toilet.
After even a couple months of consistently staying keto I’m sure my body was using ketones. I do have a blood meter too. I don’t really care how much my body is using in the end though. Using more doesn’t really equate to anything that aligns with my goals. If blood sugar is lower and ketones are being spilled in urine you can feel confident you’re blood has an adequate supply. Ketones aren’t the primary fatty acid burned anyway. There are several.
Ultimately seeing a positive urine test tells you you’re eating low enough carbs to be in Ketosis. Efficiently using those ketones comes with fat adaptation. If ketones are being spilled, they are extra. Literally wasted calories. That’s fine with me.5 -
Yes! Exactly! Bye bye, stored energy...
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I have only used the urine strips in the past, and I'm one of those people who tend to not test high. Within 6 months, my ketones were rarely more than trace. The only way my urine ketones would go up was if I was fasting.
I don't mind it though. I don't need high ketones for any medical reason. I'm hoping my body is just using my ketones effectively because I usually eat over 5g of carbs a day - I should be in ketosis.
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Def!0
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The ketones are a byproduct of the body burning fat for energy and seeing them on a urine strip is motivating! It lets you know that you are burning fat, which is the goal of the ketogenic woe. You aren’t losing anything from them being excreted via your urine. I can’t see a rationale for wanting to keep the ketones when they’re a left over product from the fat your body has burned.
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