Keto diet - anyone else?

[Hugo Stiglitz]

grumbledoak said:

sgtBerbatov said:

Quick question in regards to Full Fat Milk. Are you not meant to drink it on this diet?

There is sugar in milk, so you'll want to "count" that as much as you count things, but it's not banned. I wouldn't drink semi or skimmed though, that removes the healthiest part.

Is lactose free milk ok or still a no no?

[CoolHands]

My wife is starting this tomorrow as she needs to kick start weight loss. Is it feasible to do this for 3 or 4 weeks then return to a normal diet? Everything she has tried up till now her weight remains the same, so fingers crossed this can work.

[grumbledoak]

CoolHands said:

My wife is starting this tomorrow as she needs to kick start weight loss. Is it feasible to do this for 3 or 4 weeks then return to a normal diet? Everything she has tried up till now her weight remains the same, so fingers crossed this can work.

No. It's not really that kind of "diet". She'll lose some water in the short term, and be just about transitioned to fat burning when she starts back on the biscuits.

[NoVetec]

CoolHands said:

My wife is starting this tomorrow as she needs to kick start weight loss. Is it feasible to do this for 3 or 4 weeks then return to a normal diet? Everything she has tried up till now her weight remains the same, so fingers crossed this can work.

Not usually. Some are fortunate and get through the keto 'flu'/sugar withdrawal/fat adaptation in a couple weeks, but a good proportion of people take 3-4 weeks to fully adjust. I mean she will lose weight in that time frame in water loss and quite possibly some fat burn will occur but it won't be worth the transition if a 'normal' diet will resume a month later.

If she's looking to lose a mild amount of weight before a wedding/holiday or something it'll probably be best to cut out booze and refined carbs and do calorie counting with exercise. Could also do some intermittent fasting too or maybe just make sure there are 12 hours between finishing eating one day and starting the next.

Keto's best as either a lifestyle thing or taken as a cyclical approach.

[Jim on the hill]

NoVetec said:

CoolHands said:

My wife is starting this tomorrow as she needs to kick start weight loss. Is it feasible to do this for 3 or 4 weeks then return to a normal diet? Everything she has tried up till now her weight remains the same, so fingers crossed this can work.

Not usually. Some are fortunate and get through the keto 'flu'/sugar withdrawal/fat adaptation in a couple weeks, but a good proportion of people take 3-4 weeks to fully adjust. I mean she will lose weight in that time frame in water loss and quite possibly some fat burn will occur but it won't be worth the transition if a 'normal' diet will resume a month later.

If she's looking to lose a mild amount of weight before a wedding/holiday or something it'll probably be best to cut out booze and refined carbs and do calorie counting with exercise. Could also do some intermittent fasting too or maybe just make sure there are 12 hours between finishing eating one day and starting the next.

Keto's best as either a lifestyle thing or taken as a cyclical approach.

What this guy says.

[a311]

NoVetec said:

CoolHands said:

My wife is starting this tomorrow as she needs to kick start weight loss. Is it feasible to do this for 3 or 4 weeks then return to a normal diet? Everything she has tried up till now her weight remains the same, so fingers crossed this can work.

Not usually. Some are fortunate and get through the keto 'flu'/sugar withdrawal/fat adaptation in a couple weeks, but a good proportion of people take 3-4 weeks to fully adjust. I mean she will lose weight in that time frame in water loss and quite possibly some fat burn will occur but it won't be worth the transition if a 'normal' diet will resume a month later.

If she's looking to lose a mild amount of weight before a wedding/holiday or something it'll probably be best to cut out booze and refined carbs and do calorie counting with exercise. Could also do some intermittent fasting too or maybe just make sure there are 12 hours between finishing eating one day and starting the next.

Keto's best as either a lifestyle thing or taken as a cyclical approach.

I'd say after going Keto for that short length of time there's a high chance of crashing hard and being worse off.

I tried it for 3 months as I was interested in experimenting. Found it wasn't for me, I would say for the vast majority of people it's too restrictive. As the other poster said calorie counting and upping the protien isn't a bad approach for a short term goal.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

I'm only a five days in but I'm loving I get to eat the bad stuff. I miss chips and jacket potatoes but the downside has upsides.

I am finding already(?) No need to refuel during my bike rides which is great but I am kinda flat interms of oomph throughout the ride.

I was eating too much sweets, too much beer and I noticed during exercise (hunger) or along time after eating if I had one sweet I'd have a sugar crash that lasted an hour or two after.

[grumbledoak]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

I'm only a five days in but I'm loving I get to eat the bad stuff. I miss chips and jacket potatoes but the downside has upsides.

I am finding already(?) No need to refuel during my bike rides which is great but I am kinda flat interms of oomph throughout the ride.

I was eating too much sweets, too much beer and I noticed during exercise (hunger) or along time after eating if I had one sweet I'd have a sugar crash that lasted an hour or two after.

It takes at least a month before you are properly fat burning, and your body carries on getting better at it over the longer term. I don't notice feeling flat when running, I just seem to go on and on. It's not the diet for a 100m Olympic sprinter though.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

I'd be more than happy with that. I reckon I'm about 3 stone in lard at the moment. Because of my frame width and height I carry it well but I sure feel the ballast.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Is the occasional pint or two a big no no? Does it mess with ketosis? Meaning you have to start again?

What does alcohol carbs do to the process?

Edit Google answered. Also I didn't realise that Fevertree 'light' tonic has 3.8g of carbs per 100ml. I'll be on fizzy water..

Edited by Hugo Stiglitz on Wednesday 12th August 16:53

[Teddy Lop]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

Is the occasional pint or two a big no no? Does it mess with ketosis? Meaning you have to start again?

What does alcohol carbs do to the process?

Edit Google answered. Also I didn't realise that Fevertree 'light' tonic has 3.8g of carbs per 100ml. I'll be on fizzy water..

Edited by Hugo Stiglitz on Wednesday 12th August 16:53

other brands have less (zero) carbs, swepps, own brands etc... I'm not a fan of fever tree anyway as I like to taste the base spirit, not cover it!

[grumbledoak]

Alcohol generally will blow you out of ketosis for 24 hours or so, so don't drink it often.

Plus, as you've found, lots of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are rammed with sugar. Some more than others, obviously.

[Jim on the hill]

grumbledoak said:

Alcohol generally will blow you out of ketosis for 24 hours or so, so don't drink it often.

Plus, as you've found, lots of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are rammed with sugar. Some more than others, obviously.

Whisky/Whiskey or Vodka is fine. Fill your boots but remember it's still calories in Vs calories out if you are doing it for weight loss.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Alcohol is the only poison I take. So it's worthwhile.

[LordGrover]

Jim on the hill said:

Whisky/Whiskey or Vodka is fine. Fill your boots but remember it's still calories in Vs calories out if you are doing it for weight loss.

Alcohol affects fat loss/ketosis in many ways, not simply carbs 'n calories.
For example, alcohol is burned as 'fuel' in preference to fat - see here: click.

[didelydoo]

LordGrover said:

Alcohol affects fat loss/ketosis in many ways, not simply carbs 'n calories.
For example, alcohol is burned as 'fuel' in preference to fat - see here: click.

Yup- alcohol consumption, even in moderation messes with most fat loss/muscle gain metabolic pathways. On a diet, it’s best just avoided tbh

[Jim on the hill]

LordGrover said:

Jim on the hill said:

Whisky/Whiskey or Vodka is fine. Fill your boots but remember it's still calories in Vs calories out if you are doing it for weight loss.

Alcohol affects fat loss/ketosis in many ways, not simply carbs 'n calories.
For example, alcohol is burned as 'fuel' in preference to fat - see here: click.

Eh? That's what I said, your body on keto will always burn any fuel you put in including fats before it burns your own fuel.

[colin_p]

I'm in.

Last Thursday diagnosed as T2, but only just, and I need to sort it. When I say I'm in, I have been since last Thursday upon the suggestion of my GP!

I've today bought some piddle sticks so will be hopefully able to check if the process has initiated.

I have to say I'm finding it tough. And even tougher trying to work out what the hell to eat. For this last few days I've been on as little as possible carbs to give the process the best chance of ignition.

I know there are lots of links posted up thread of sites providing recipes but I'd really like some advice on quick go-to foods that don't need much or any prep until me and my Wife have had time to work out what the hell to do.

I'm already feeling the effects, I think, of reduced appetite and hunger and have been eating lots of lovely bbq grilled chicken, bacon, eggs and cheese but am struggling with the veg. I don't like plain veg or salad but will eat it with gravy / a dressing etc, but what, now, they all seem to be carby?

Some really basics questions:

1, I've read sodium can be an issue at first, so have been having a Knorr stock cube dissolved in water, are these ok?
2, What are your go-to snacks when you are in moments of weakness?
3, Any basic quick meal ideas?

In time, i'll catch up on the reading but at the moment I've not had time to research and plan, I've just reacted to that phone call from the GP about T2.

Any help, suggestions or pointers much appreciated.

[Lemming Train]

Colin : packs of cooked meats are good to have around for quick snacks to satisfy a craving.

- sliced ham/turkey/chicken/corned beef.
- pepperami sticks or any of the other salami sausage snacks. I get these from Sains but they only seem to sell them in the big stores now and often out of stock: http://a-review-a-day.blogspot.com/2018/01/todays-...

- hard cheese snack packs are good for satisfying a hunger pang too. Avoid the soft cheeses as most are high in carbs. Hard cheeses are generally safe so long as you don't go crazy.

- tin of tuna in olive oil poured out onto a plate/dish (the oil as well), Hellmann's full fat mayo (don't use Heinz or own brand mayo as it all tastes st), tablespoon of cider vinegar, ground black pepper and then about 200g of cheddar cheese in and mash it all up. Takes 5 minutes to do and it's really filling, will see you through the entire day without wanting anything else once you're fully in keto.

- even some eggs are good hunger fillers. If you're making some hot boiled eggs for your breakfast or whatever do some extra ones, let them cool and store them away in the fridge. Next time you have a hunger pang and can't be arsed making something, grab an egg and some salt and mayo.

Expect your food bill to double initially, but once you're fully keto you'll eat much less than you would with a carb diet, so it balances out in the end and you'll feel 10x better.

Edited by Lemming Train on Monday 17th August 16:53

[grumbledoak]

colin_p said:

I'm in.
...

Any help, suggestions or pointers much appreciated.

Welcome.

As you have discovered, there really aren't many genuinely healthy snacks. I aim to eat more and never snack. If you must -
Eggs are great. A few eggs scrambled is a decent quick snack.
Deli meats and kabanos etc are good.
Water can help tide you over. Hunger can be habit. You can live with a bit of discomfort.

Meals - you probably cannot beat steak and eggs (no chips) for nutrition.
Vegetables - I'm not convinced they are as healthy as we are encouraged to believe, but if you want a side any of the green, above ground ones are fine.

Be careful with the whole "Fat is good and calories don't count so I can eat..." thing. It's true up to a point. Cheese and nuts are not filling - you can eat thousands of calories of them and still not feel full - they will just be extra calories. The butter in your bulletproof coffee is much the same.