Unintentional Keto

Joined
Jul 29, 2005
Messages
3,370
Location
Diesel Central, Indiana
I didn't set out to do Keto, but once I realize how much better I was feeling after a water-only fast, it seemed to me that the only way to sustain that was to stay in ketosis.

So here I am, about two weeks into not having had a single carb since Dec 27s. Feeling better than I have in a LONG time.


Not only had I gone from "heavy" to "legit obese" at 240# (even at 6'1")m but it was ALL in my belly. And up high, which seemed to indicate visceral fat.

Visceral fat is a big deal for inflammation and boy did I feel perpetually inflamed all the time-- everything hurt, everything was stiff. Quality of life was awful.

I love eating carbs. But they certainly do not love me. I honestly need to drop a good 20-30 lb more to get to "fighting weight" around 200 even. I have an ectomorphic build and do not carry weight well, so even 200 is sort of an upper limit.


But I'm down 10# nearly since Dec 27th, and it's not all water weight either after two weeks, so I just need to sustain the melt that is occurring. I'm likening it to that huge snowbank in the parking lot in May that still hasn't all melted away even when it's 65 degrees. I need to just stay the course and finish the melt.


Dietary highlights:
-- Tuna in EVOO, complete game changer for snacks and lunch.
-- Kielbasa with some cream cheese dip
-- Every veg (except carrots and some with more carbs), definitely the broccoli and cauliflower and all cruciferous or on-plan
-- Eggs. I love eggs and hope I still will after having them so often.
 
Tried it a few times for months several years ago, but it was not sustainable. Look into Mediterranean diet, lots of good variety to choose from. Good luck.
 
So here I am, about two weeks into not having had a single carb since Dec 27s.




Dietary highlights:
-
-- Kielbasa with some cream cheese dip
-- Every veg (except carrots and some with more carbs), definitely the broccoli and cauliflower and all cruciferous or on-plan
Those do have carbs, so what you are saying you've had very little starchy, nasty, sugary carbs. Good on ya!!
 
Those do have carbs, so what you are saying you've had very little starchy, nasty, sugary carbs. Good on ya!!
True, but I'm still getting only 1200-1800 calories a day and of those, fewer than 10-20g of carbs (<100cal) from carbs.


ItemCarbs
Eggs~2.4 g
Tuna0 g
Kielbasa~6 g
Cream cheese dip~4 g
Daily Total~12–13 g carbohydrates
 
Another thing to incorporate into your new success is the elimination of all sugar, even if it's from fruit.

I've made a spreadsheet of EVERY required vitamin and mineral, and there isn't a single instance of a required vitamin or mineral that can't be obtained from vegetables, and in much higher quantities. Not one. Sugar is and can be a real problem for far too many people.

If you do or do not want to be a vegan, carnivore, etc., that's up to you. I'm just suggesting that you try and eliminate sugar, in any form, from your diet. You'll have a MUCH easier time staying satiated in between meal.

Ask me how I know. G'head, g'head.

:-)

Ed
 
Good for you. I went full Keto about 7 years ago and it changed my life.

Haven't been as strict the last couple of years and put about 10 pounds back on. Things have been pretty hectic. Have to get back to it.
 
Another thing to incorporate into your new success is the elimination of all sugar, even if it's from fruit.

I've made a spreadsheet of EVERY required vitamin and mineral, and there isn't a single instance of a required vitamin or mineral that can't be obtained from vegetables, and in much higher quantities. Not one. Sugar is and can be a real problem for far too many people.

If you do or do not want to be a vegan, carnivore, etc., that's up to you. I'm just suggesting that you try and eliminate sugar, in any form, from your diet. You'll have a MUCH easier time staying satiated in between meal.

Ask me how I know. G'head, g'head.

:-)

Ed
Already done.

NO fruit whatseover. Just veg and protein.

Heck, I've even eliminated my favorite snack-- cocktail peanuts. Low carb, but not low enough.
 
Food quality is more important than what the nutrient content may be. Carbs are not necessarily bad but there is now a superabundance of bad carbs in the majority of commonly available food products to the point that they can be hard to avoid unless you seek out alternative food sources.

It is also difficult to look at a commercially produced food product and presume that it will possess XYZ nutriet content by default. For example things like glyphosate, which is omnipresent in commercial food production, decimate nutrient content to include in the animals that consume glyphosate saturated feed.
 
True, but I'm still getting only 1200-1800 calories a day and of those, fewer than 10-20g of carbs (<100cal) from carbs.


ItemCarbs
Eggs~2.4 g
Tuna0 g
Kielbasa~6 g
Cream cheese dip~4 g
Daily Total~12–13 g carbohydrates
You need to include veg too. I know they are GREAT. Keep eating them, but I think the net carb thing is a bit of a game. Just do total carbs, roughage or not because some of that WILL break down to sugars.

That sausage gets me every time!!
 
Try the sardines from Costco. They are skinned and are packed in olive oil, simply amazing.
My grandfather was born in the old country and moved to America when he was about 30 years old. He was a big fan of sardines. As a little kid, it was my job to open the sardine can with its little key. My grandfather and I would chow down on the sardines. Him with white vinegar and me without it. Now, I can't stomach sardines or the pickled herring that we used to eat together.

Did you start eating sardines as a kid?
 
Dietary highlights:
-- Tuna in EVOO, complete game changer for snacks and lunch.
-- Kielbasa with some cream cheese dip
-- Every veg (except carrots and some with more carbs), definitely the broccoli and cauliflower and all cruciferous or on-plan
-- Eggs. I love eggs and hope I still will after having them so often.
I love me some meat and veggie diet, which is pretty much the opposite of what my house would otherwise tend towards...dairy and carb.

Cottage cheese as snacks. Get familiar with nuts. Walnuts, high in omega-3. Pecans, pretty not bad also. Sams club 2-3# bags.

Some canned Tunas are higher in protein/nutrients than others. Kinda depends on what your budget is...albacore vs chunk. I wish more fat was available in canned tuna. If you can get over the skin and bones, canned Salmon is hugely beneficial on omega-3 and lower cost than mid-tier tuna. I open a can on Monday, sort out the spine bones, ignore the ribs (can't feel them in mouth) and that goes on my salads for a few days.

Salsa on eggs, or mix in some tofu, etc.

Get into fermenting. Ask if you have questions. I did my first batches in leftover salsa jars before buying mason jars, vented lids, weights, etc. Sourkraut goes great on salads. Fermented pickles with some onion and dill. My 4yo loves fermented carrots (with garlic) and tomatoes. When you see veggies on sale that are about to spoil, boom, ferment. Stone fruit is interesting too. 2% salt by weight...everything.

Oven roast broccoli, asparagus, cauliflour, green beans, squash, etc...constantly.

Dr. Bikman (phd, not medical) does youtube videos that are a masterclass on the metabolic impact of insulin from carb intake.
 
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Watch eating too much canned tuna as it contains mercury. Eating it daily can cause issues. Use maybe once a week and mix in sardines, kippers, mackerel, etc. Grill fresh fish in a skillet with PAM. And add some skinless white meat of chicken or turkey.
 
I didn't set out to do Keto, but once I realize how much better I was feeling after a water-only fast, it seemed to me that the only way to sustain that was to stay in ketosis.

So here I am, about two weeks into not having had a single carb since Dec 27s. Feeling better than I have in a LONG time.


Not only had I gone from "heavy" to "legit obese" at 240# (even at 6'1")m but it was ALL in my belly. And up high, which seemed to indicate visceral fat.

Visceral fat is a big deal for inflammation and boy did I feel perpetually inflamed all the time-- everything hurt, everything was stiff. Quality of life was awful.

I love eating carbs. But they certainly do not love me. I honestly need to drop a good 20-30 lb more to get to "fighting weight" around 200 even. I have an ectomorphic build and do not carry weight well, so even 200 is sort of an upper limit.


But I'm down 10# nearly since Dec 27th, and it's not all water weight either after two weeks, so I just need to sustain the melt that is occurring. I'm likening it to that huge snowbank in the parking lot in May that still hasn't all melted away even when it's 65 degrees. I need to just stay the course and finish the melt.


Dietary highlights:
-- Tuna in EVOO, complete game changer for snacks and lunch.
-- Kielbasa with some cream cheese dip
-- Every veg (except carrots and some with more carbs), definitely the broccoli and cauliflower and all cruciferous or on-plan
-- Eggs. I love eggs and hope I still will after having them so often.
.
Do you like sardines? Overall a better choice than tuna. Sardines are low on the food chain so have next to nothing in mercury. Good calcium content too, bone in version, of course.
.
 
You need to include veg too. I know they are GREAT. Keep eating them, but I think the net carb thing is a bit of a game. Just do total carbs, roughage or not because some of that WILL break down to sugars.

That sausage gets me every time!!
I don't really pay attention to "net" carbs, but I'm new to all this and are just staying with gross carbs. I know a person needs fiber, but I'm not having issues.
 
The inflammation I hear so many of you referring to, is this the kind of stuff a c-reactive protein test in a blood panel shows?
 
Keto legit works. Did it a few years ago and lost almost 90 pounds. Then C19 hit and it all came back when the gyms closed. Ugh. Some of my favorite meals were Keto eggroll, garlic steak bites, massive veggie and sausage omelettes to start the day and lots and lots of water. Going down the path again now and it's not near as easy the older you get. That said, good on you and hope you stick to it and reach your goal weight.
 
Keto legit works. Did it a few years ago and lost almost 90 pounds. Then C19 hit and it all came back when the gyms closed. Ugh. Some of my favorite meals were Keto eggroll, garlic steak bites, massive veggie and sausage omelettes to start the day and lots and lots of water. Going down the path again now and it's not near as easy the older you get. That said, good on you and hope you stick to it and reach your goal weight.
Worked for me too. Went from 268 to 152 on the Atkins diet....still have kept it off for over 14 years....
 
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