Keto diet

Has anyone tried the Keto Diet?
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Replies

  • LyndaBSS
    LyndaBSS Posts: 6,964 Member
    I tried it but realized right away that it would not be a sustainable lifestyle for me.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    I am currently using it to cut. When i get the weight i want, i will add back carbs. What are you looking for?
  • candylilacs
    candylilacs Posts: 614 Member
    I eat keto. I use second phase -- meat, fat, nuts, beans and berries. I'm quite happy with it.
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    Second phase what? Seems unlikely one would be in ketosis with any realistic serving of berries and nuts.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    edited October 2019
    Azdak wrote: »
    psuLemon wrote: »
    I don’t get why anyone would want to do anything other than count calories as a “diet”. It’s so simple & you get to eat what you want and still lose weight.

    Because sometimes, its not that just simple. I have calorie counted for nearly 10 years. And when i tried my current cut with just doing that, i wasn't losing, i was sneaking some treats and couldn't stay consistent. Now that i am doing keto, it gave me intrinsic restriction which is making my dietary compliance better.

    So, essentially, it is helping you do a better job of “counting calories”.

    I have used it without calorie counting, too. So ill do periods with and without.

    But there are also people, like my wife, who cannot do calorie counting. It drives them into a bad state of mind. The previous poster is doing well without it.
  • richstyles
    richstyles Posts: 18 Member
    I know some people get great results from keto. Also some promising studies on health benefits (even for the brain) from a modified Mediterranean-ketogenic diet. I'd post a link showing the guy who did this for great results while traveling around Asia but I'm not sure if that's allowed.

    I briefly flirted with the idea but find calorie counting sufficient. It's super simple (thanks to barcodes) and I can really dial in the numbers so I'm not hallucinating about food and yet make progress like clockwork. I just don't think I can commit to such a drastic dietary change to maintain ketosis enough to get those results.
  • briters89
    briters89 Posts: 10 Member
    I LOVE Keto! I have lost over 60 pounds in 5 months. I love not having cravings, and not being hungry all the time. My thinking is finally clear, fewer headaches, and my body no longer aches. It's easy to be in a calorie deficit, because you stay full much longer.
  • candylilacs
    candylilacs Posts: 614 Member
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    Second phase what? Seems unlikely one would be in ketosis with any realistic serving of berries and nuts.

    I will pee on a stick for you if you want!
  • youngmomtaz
    youngmomtaz Posts: 1,075 Member
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    Second phase what? Seems unlikely one would be in ketosis with any realistic serving of berries and nuts.

    I will pee on a stick for you if you want!

    That confused me too! I eat nuts and berries often and my carbs are low enough for ketosis. But I run, hike, lift, and am generally active enough that ketosis is easy even with carbs above the 20gm/day mark.
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    edited October 2019
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    Second phase what? Seems unlikely one would be in ketosis with any realistic serving of berries and nuts.

    I will pee on a stick for you if you want!

    See answer above, but you didn't answer my question about "second phase what." I suspected what you were talking about was 2nd phase Atkins, which I don't think is "keto" strictly speaking and has a higher carb level. As I mentioned above, I also don't think it really matters if one is in ketosis or not (or that the "stix" are all the reliable) but I also believe that that for many even seeking to do a very low carb diet aiming for, say, under 50 net would likely be a better place to start than under 20, so if that's what you like that's great. I was just trying to clarify. (If second phase Atkins is still how I remember it, I'm a fan, I just think it's different from keto.)

    I consistently see people who are told or read on the internet that keto is under 20 g carbs or under 5% carbs (often they don't even realize this is NET carbs) and then also told they won't have to limit fruit, nuts, non starchy veg. If you are working from a higher number, I think that should be clarified so newbies won't think they have to be so low. Because in my experience I couldn't have hit 20 g net (let alone what some try to hit) without eliminating fruit and cutting back on non starchy veg, more than I am comfortable with for me.
  • NorcoRyder
    NorcoRyder Posts: 6 Member
    I alternate between keto and low carb. I go keto in the fall and low carb in the spring. The only real dietary change between the two for me is that I’ll add locally grown fruit and berries to my diet when they become available.

    This way of eating is about blood sugar and autoimmune disease management for me, but it has been very beneficial for my overall health and weight management in middle age.
  • Luke_rabbit
    Luke_rabbit Posts: 1,031 Member
    I understand that there is an active low carb group here.

    If that way of eating sounds good to you, then give it a try. One of my friends here eats keto and her diary looks to me like what I would have to eat in The Bad Place. :)

    I strongly believe that one should choose a food plan that makes you both healthy and happy.
  • missysippy930
    missysippy930 Posts: 2,577 Member
    edited October 2019
    Every diet for weight loss depends on calorie counting. Whether someone tells you, or figures out for you, what, when, how much to eat, or you have the discipline for doing it for yourself. The only way for losing weight is consuming less calories than your body burns.
    Personal preference and what works for you.
  • psychod787
    psychod787 Posts: 4,099 Member
    I started keto on January 2nd 2019. My starting weight was 255lbs I am 57 year old female who has been overweight my whole life. I have tried every conceivable way of eating the so called experts said would help me lose weight. The myth of calories in vs calories out is just that a myth. Every body is different and the way our hormones process energy is different. In the early 80's I read Atkins and lost 40 lbs. When I went to my Doctor I told that diet was going to kill me and I started eating low fat reduced calorie diet. My doctor said it was only healthy way to lose weight with exercise. I ate 1000 calorie almost zero fat and worked out 5 days a week. I proceeded to gain over 75 lbs eating that way. My Doctor all but called me a liar and said if I was really doing all of that I would not be overweight. I could look at food and gain weight! My blood work was horrible and I was insulin resistant borderline diabetic with high blood pressure. I was 200mg of blood pressure medicine everyday. Today I am 170 lbs my insulin resistance is gone. My A1C went from 9 to 4.9 I only take 10 mg of blood pressure medicine a day. I still workout 5 days a week because exercise has many cognitive benefits it really does not help in weight maintenance. I feel great. I have a cardiologist who is functional medicine and he puts all his patients on LCHF diets. I don't count calories at all! And I feel great my brain fog is gone I feel sharp as a tack. With all that being said, every body is different and there is no diet for all people. You have to find out your genetics and do testing to see how your hormones work to find what your body needs. Good luck!

    Ok, first off you did not gain 75lbs eating 1000 cals a day. That is a physical impossibility. 75lbs of weight gain would add roughly 750 cals a day to a tdee. Much like an interview I listened to recently of a Biggest Loser Contestant who lost 200lbs and stated he gained 90lbs in 6 months eating 2000 cals a day. His rmr, even with slowing, would be 2300 a day. I suspect binge and restrict cycles. Not calling you a lair, but something does not add up. I have talked to many people who have had success on keto and low carb. Even some who have lost mass amounts of weight on whole food plant based. If one looks at ad Librium diets, low carb and low fat diets caused weight loss. Both groups reduced their caloric intake automatically. Now, there were out layers on both ends. Some lost more than others and some gained. So, what amount of loss was highly individual in some cases. Regain was in both groups over time, most likely loss of dietary adherence. Both diets have things in common. They usually remove hyper processed foods, eliminate a macro nutrient, and have increased fiber compared to the average american intake. Keto has a different mechanism as it increases protein intake. Average American is 14%, Keto 20-35%. Protein tends to be the most satiating macro per energy unit. Increase PPY, CCK, and GLP-1 dt fiber intake. In the two studies I have read show the results of comparing keto and a high protein/moderate carb diet ad Librium intakes were nearly the same. Keto folks took in 50 cals a day less I believe. High Carb vegans reduce the energy density of their foods massively, allowing them to just eat more. Glad keto is working for you. Its all N=1...
  • missysippy930
    missysippy930 Posts: 2,577 Member
    psychod787 wrote: »
    I started keto on January 2nd 2019. My starting weight was 255lbs I am 57 year old female who has been overweight my whole life. I have tried every conceivable way of eating the so called experts said would help me lose weight. The myth of calories in vs calories out is just that a myth. Every body is different and the way our hormones process energy is different. In the early 80's I read Atkins and lost 40 lbs. When I went to my Doctor I told that diet was going to kill me and I started eating low fat reduced calorie diet. My doctor said it was only healthy way to lose weight with exercise. I ate 1000 calorie almost zero fat and worked out 5 days a week. I proceeded to gain over 75 lbs eating that way. My Doctor all but called me a liar and said if I was really doing all of that I would not be overweight. I could look at food and gain weight! My blood work was horrible and I was insulin resistant borderline diabetic with high blood pressure. I was 200mg of blood pressure medicine everyday. Today I am 170 lbs my insulin resistance is gone. My A1C went from 9 to 4.9 I only take 10 mg of blood pressure medicine a day. I still workout 5 days a week because exercise has many cognitive benefits it really does not help in weight maintenance. I feel great. I have a cardiologist who is functional medicine and he puts all his patients on LCHF diets. I don't count calories at all! And I feel great my brain fog is gone I feel sharp as a tack. With all that being said, every body is different and there is no diet for all people. You have to find out your genetics and do testing to see how your hormones work to find what your body needs. Good luck!

    Ok, first off you did not gain 75lbs eating 1000 cals a day. That is a physical impossibility..

    Clearly, this person wasn’t ACCURATELY, weighing, measuring their calorie intake. The doctor didn’t believe this person gained weight.
  • psychod787
    psychod787 Posts: 4,099 Member
    psychod787 wrote: »
    I started keto on January 2nd 2019. My starting weight was 255lbs I am 57 year old female who has been overweight my whole life. I have tried every conceivable way of eating the so called experts said would help me lose weight. The myth of calories in vs calories out is just that a myth. Every body is different and the way our hormones process energy is different. In the early 80's I read Atkins and lost 40 lbs. When I went to my Doctor I told that diet was going to kill me and I started eating low fat reduced calorie diet. My doctor said it was only healthy way to lose weight with exercise. I ate 1000 calorie almost zero fat and worked out 5 days a week. I proceeded to gain over 75 lbs eating that way. My Doctor all but called me a liar and said if I was really doing all of that I would not be overweight. I could look at food and gain weight! My blood work was horrible and I was insulin resistant borderline diabetic with high blood pressure. I was 200mg of blood pressure medicine everyday. Today I am 170 lbs my insulin resistance is gone. My A1C went from 9 to 4.9 I only take 10 mg of blood pressure medicine a day. I still workout 5 days a week because exercise has many cognitive benefits it really does not help in weight maintenance. I feel great. I have a cardiologist who is functional medicine and he puts all his patients on LCHF diets. I don't count calories at all! And I feel great my brain fog is gone I feel sharp as a tack. With all that being said, every body is different and there is no diet for all people. You have to find out your genetics and do testing to see how your hormones work to find what your body needs. Good luck!

    Ok, first off you did not gain 75lbs eating 1000 cals a day. That is a physical impossibility..

    Clearly, this person wasn’t ACCURATELY, weighing, measuring their calorie intake. The doctor didn’t believe this person gained weight.

    Yes ma'am, we people who have been around a while get that, newer folks might not. It is people spouting $#!T like this that sent me down a deep hole years ago! Sorry ma'am
  • candylilacs
    candylilacs Posts: 614 Member
    edited October 2019
    psychod787 wrote: »
    Ok, first off you did not gain 75lbs eating 1000 cals a day. That is a physical impossibility. 75lbs of weight gain would add roughly 750 cals a day to a tdee. . . . Not calling you a lair, but something does not add up.

    First of all, blame the victim much?
    Clearly, this person wasn’t ACCURATELY, weighing, measuring their calorie intake. The doctor didn’t believe this person gained weight.

    Who does have a scale for food? I don't.
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    See answer above, but you didn't answer my question about "second phase what." I suspected what you were talking about was 2nd phase Atkins, which I don't think is "keto" strictly speaking and has a higher carb level. As I mentioned above, I also don't think it really matters if one is in ketosis or not (or that the "stix" are all the reliable) but I also believe that that for many even seeking to do a very low carb diet aiming for, say, under 50 net would likely be a better place to start than under 20, so if that's what you like that's great. I was just trying to clarify. (If second phase Atkins is still how I remember it, I'm a fan, I just think it's different from keto.) . . .I consistently see people who are told or read on the internet that keto is under 20 g carbs or under 5% carbs (often they don't even realize this is NET carbs) and then also told they won't have to limit fruit, nuts, non starchy veg.

    I had to decide on the "Keto Diet" and the "Atkins20 Diet" with my husband, and the Atkins diet you can have dairy (FairLife) so we went with it. The husband decided he needed to lose weight so I went along with him. The first two weeks had to have 20g of carb each day. No sugar. Vegetables and protein (Meat, dairy and eggs). I had the "keto flu" where I had cramps in my legs -- just having a Propel once a day helps (but it gives 1 gram of carb). Lettuces, cilantro, cucumber, zucchini, and spinach, you couldn't eat enough of them.

    I lost 15 lbs.

    On to the Phase 2-- nuts, beans, berries, melon and peaches. I have been on this for three weeks. I actually consume about 20-30 carbs a day. Not net carbs, clean 20-30 carbs a day. I actually have to plan around not eating too many carbs so that I can have keto tortillas, keto bread, or keto biscuits. (I have to especially wait on the keto pancakes, strawberries and whipped cream until a weekend!) I have lost 7 pounds.

    Phase 3 - just about ten pounds of your goal weight. Phase 4 - your maintenance. You are supposed be adding 10g of carbs a day for them. With Phase 4 you can have 50-100g of carbs. It depends on your body metabolism. I can have 36 carbs a day and still in ketosis (pink). I have 40 carbs a day (trace) and am not.

    With a brain injury (stroke) and pneumonia with septic shock that put glucose out of whack (my blood glucose was 460! Three months later it's getting better, 190), I felt like I was going to give it a try. I felt nothing but I must be energetic (I was making my own keto bread, tortillas, etc.) and my blood glucose is 120.

    Six weeks of keto, and I lost 22 lbs and my husband lost 24.

  • psychod787
    psychod787 Posts: 4,099 Member
    psychod787 wrote: »
    Ok, first off you did not gain 75lbs eating 1000 cals a day. That is a physical impossibility. 75lbs of weight gain would add roughly 750 cals a day to a tdee. . . . Not calling you a lair, but something does not add up.

    First of all, blame the victim much?
    Clearly, this person wasn’t ACCURATELY, weighing, measuring their calorie intake. The doctor didn’t believe this person gained weight.

    Who does have a scale for food? I don't.
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    See answer above, but you didn't answer my question about "second phase what." I suspected what you were talking about was 2nd phase Atkins, which I don't think is "keto" strictly speaking and has a higher carb level. As I mentioned above, I also don't think it really matters if one is in ketosis or not (or that the "stix" are all the reliable) but I also believe that that for many even seeking to do a very low carb diet aiming for, say, under 50 net would likely be a better place to start than under 20, so if that's what you like that's great. I was just trying to clarify. (If second phase Atkins is still how I remember it, I'm a fan, I just think it's different from keto.) . . .I consistently see people who are told or read on the internet that keto is under 20 g carbs or under 5% carbs (often they don't even realize this is NET carbs) and then also told they won't have to limit fruit, nuts, non starchy veg.

    I had to decide on the "Keto Diet" and the "Atkins20 Diet" with my husband, and the Atkins diet you can have dairy (FairLife) so we went with it. The husband decided he needed to lose weight so I went along with him. The first two weeks had to have 20g of carb each day. No sugar. Vegetables and protein (Meat, dairy and eggs). I had the "keto flu" where I had cramps in my legs -- just having a Propel once a day helps (but it gives 1 gram of carb). Lettuces, cilantro, cucumber, zucchini, and spinach, you couldn't eat enough of them.

    I lost 15 lbs.

    On to the Phase 2-- nuts, beans, berries, melon and peaches. I have been on this for three weeks. I actually consume about 20-30 carbs a day. Not net carbs, clean 20-30 carbs a day. I actually have to plan around not eating too many carbs so that I can have keto tortillas, keto bread, or keto biscuits. (I have to especially wait on the keto pancakes, strawberries and whipped cream until a weekend!) I have lost 7 pounds.

    Phase 3 - just about ten pounds of your goal weight. Phase 4 - your maintenance. You are supposed be adding 10g of carbs a day for them. With Phase 4 you can have 50-100g of carbs. It depends on your body metabolism. I can have 36 carbs a day and still in ketosis (pink). I have 40 carbs a day (trace) and am not.

    With a brain injury (stroke) and pneumonia with septic shock that put glucose out of whack (my blood glucose was 460! Three months later it's getting better, 190), I felt like I was going to give it a try. I felt nothing but I must be energetic (I was making my own keto bread, tortillas, etc.) and my blood glucose is 120.

    Six weeks of keto, and I lost 22 lbs and my husband lost 24.

    What victim? Someone who spouts CICO does not matter? We know that CICO is what matters in weight loss. The real question is what controls CI. Its a variable that has not been as deeply studied as some aspects of weight loss. We see inside the research that people who reduce carbs or fat, protein held steady, tend to reduce caloric intake about the same. As I stated.... there is some interpersonal variability. Some gained on both diets. I am glad KETO worked for you, but it was not Black Magic. It was simply the mechanism as stated in my post that did it. You found something that worked for you. Does not mean CICO does not matter......