Keto vs Low carb?

knorris84
knorris84 Posts: 141 Member
edited 7:28AM in Social Groups
How much faster do you lose weight on keto vs Low carb? I did keto a year and loved it. I was told to get off from a doctor and then I found out I had fibro and now IBS. I had an allergy test done back in 2014 (I just came across it the other day) and it shows dairy, cat and dog dander are mild insensitivity but pork and beef are moderate. I have never noticed a difference when I eat these meats. I have been told by other doctors that keto is fine for me, but if I take away dairy, pork, and beef it's a very restricted diet. Everytime time I have tried it the last year I make it 4 days and get so nauseous I can't take it any more. That's with electrolytes. Then I binge on sugary junk since I have the worst sweet tooth to the point I gain anything I lose back in a day or two. Should I worry about those allergies since I don't really notice a difference? Would low carb be better for me or am I overthinking keto difficulty? Any suggestions please send them my way!!!!

Replies

  • Nony_Mouse
    Nony_Mouse Posts: 5,646 Member
    There's absolutely no difference, beyond initial water weight loss. That goes for any diet - the same deficit will result in the same weight loss, regardless. The thing that matters most is that whatever way of eating ('diet') you choose, is that it's sustainable for you. Many people find keto or low carb more satiating, and that's why it works for them (and obviously some people do it for medical reasons). That's not universal though.

    If you want to ignore medical advice on food intolerances, that's up to you. Just because you don't notice any difference though, doesn't mean there isn't internal damage happening when you eat those things.
  • knorris84
    knorris84 Posts: 141 Member
    Thank you so much for the reply! You know I never thought about what may be going on inside my body. That's a very good point.
  • Nony_Mouse
    Nony_Mouse Posts: 5,646 Member
    No worries, I know how hard it can be with intolerances, especially when the effects aren't immediately obvious!
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,887 Member
    I lost 95 lbs in about a year using moderate to low carb. I later experimented with keto and didn't mind it, but didn't see any advantages to me. I tend to eat moderate carb when at maintenance and lower when losing. Currently doing low carb to help get back to it after totally letting things go for a while during the covid stress and enjoying it. So I'd say you might find you like the low carb but not keto just as much.
  • kpk54
    kpk54 Posts: 4,474 Member
    We all have different experiences and mine is as follows:

    I lost my excess pounds in 2013-2014 averaging 128 total carbs per day. At the time I knew nothing of total carbs, net carbs, keto, etc yet I lost 63 pounds in 53 weeks. I just ate less than I would like to eat and eating very limited amounts of things like cheetos, fritos, doritos, cookies, cakes, pies, etc. I love that junk. I gained weight eating that tasty stuff. The sweet/fatty/salty highly palatable foods specifically engineered to cause (some) people to overeat them. I digress....

    In 2015 I trialed eating ketogenic for reason other than weight management (cervical dystonia a neurological movement disorder). While it seemed effective for my dystonia initially the effect was not long lasting. I ate what most would consider a Medically Therapeutic Ketogenic Diet for 1 full year. It was very high fat. Both protein and carbs were limited. In regards to weight loss/management....I intentionally maintained by eating the proper amount of calories to maintain based on my personal activity level.

    The 1 or 2 positives to keto for me were improved satiety resulting me thinking less about food and diminished desire/cravings for sweet/salty/fatty concoctions. My calorie allotment is only about 1500 calories as an older, fairly sedentary female. Though I felt more full on keto I had no trouble getting in 1500 calories and had to be careful to not overeat.

    For the last many years, my intake is one that most would consider low carb. Certainly not keto. I've not tracked calories consistently for a couple of years but am confident I average around 125 total carbs daily.

    To answer your question: I say: don't over think things. Calories are king in regards to weight loss. On the other hand I personally would NOT be inclined to ignore the results of an allergy test without further testing or input from medical professional.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,432 MFP Moderator
    There is no difference. I lost 50 lbs in a year at 300g of carbs a day a decade ago. I still lose the same when i am keto.

    The pro: at this point in my diet career, keto helps my prevent binging and keeps me full longer.

    The huge con: it mights my performance in the gym go in the shitter.

    For example, i was maxing out bench at 205x3 for 3 sets on Keto. Once i bumped carbs to 150-200, i was doing 225x4 for 3 sets. And this is at 163-165 lbs total body weight. Carbs are like rocket fuel for performance and muscle gains. Keto, even if fat adapted, will not yield as good of results.
  • camtosh
    camtosh Posts: 898 Member
    You may like the info in this podcast with Dr. Eric Westman and Amy Berger, two of my go-to sources who have a new book coming out soon. They point out that keto vs low carb really depends on the individual, it depends on your own health, lifestyle, etc. Do what works for you, and you will get results.
    https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mYXN0a2V0by5saWJzeW4uY29tL3Jzcw/episode/YjlmY2ZjN2MtNTJlOS00NWYzLTg3ZGEtMmZlZDk4ZTkyYjhk?hl=en-JP&ved=2ahUKEwiytbbCwqntAhVNJaYKHfHrAo4QieUEegQIBhAI&ep=6
  • canadjineh
    canadjineh Posts: 5,396 Member
    Hi @knorris84. Just a point regarding fibromyalgia and food allergies/sensitivities. FM often goes hand in hand with undiagnosed celiac disease or Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity. If you do have these conditions as well (more auto-immune crap, right?) you will also be sensitive to dairy. I am in the same position. At least eating keto or low carb will help you automatically limit the grains that cause problems. You can be damaging your intestinal tract and be more susceptible to certain cancers without realizing or having overt external symptoms. More info on this MFP thread: https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10104290/medscape-medical-professionals-continuing-ed-site-celiac-disease-gluten-sensitivity-articles/p1
  • knorris84
    knorris84 Posts: 141 Member
    Thank you all so very much! You guys have been super helpful!!!
  • canadjineh
    canadjineh Posts: 5,396 Member
    Strangely enough, pork and cat allergies can be related: https://verywellhealth.com/pork-allergy-caused-by-allergies-to-cats-83180 (article submitted by Daniel More, MD, a board-certified allergist and clinical immunologist with a background in internal medicine.)
    Also alpha-gal syndrome if your allergic reactions happen hours later: https://mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alpha-gal-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20428608
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