I know a couple of people who have lost a lot of weight on the diet. I would like to know what others think about the diet? Is it healthy and sustainable long term?
Ketogenic diet
- Thread starter jedimasterjed
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Hey Jedimasterjed, I do not have personal experience with the Ketogenic Diet...however, I am willing to share my opinion(again it is my opinion based on personal experience and a lot of research). First off, I would stay away from the word "diet" altogether. That's not to say existing "diets" aren't good, but the very term indicates a "temporary" change in eating habits. I like to take the approach of "lifestyle change". Simply decide that you are going to adjust your eating habits to positively affect your health and lifestyle. I personally follow a whole-foods(not to be confused with the store) plant-based regimen. "A whole-food, plant-based diet(there's that word again) is centered on whole, unrefined, or minimally refined plants. It’s a diet based on fruits, vegetables, tubers, whole grains, and legumes; and it excludes or minimizes meat (including chicken and fish), dairy products, and eggs, as well as highly refined foods like bleached flour, refined sugar, and oil. My rule book: 1. Eat real food(minimal processed or preserved items) 2. Everything in moderation(I still consume meat occasionally and treat myself to a dessert once in a while) 3. Don't stress over what you eat(more or less, make a mental note of what you perceive as good food vs bad food and eat as much good food as possible knowing it's nutritional benefits but if good food is not available or you are craving the latter, don't stress over it, satisfy the craving and move on. 4. Understand what a microbiome is within the stomach and how it causes us to become addicted to certain foods. 5. Realize we have trained our bodies to live on/rely on certain food products for our entire lives so instead of changing everything at once aka diet, incorporate small changes here and there but don't back out one change for another. I focused on getting away from sugars and identifying that almost every drink available at the gas station is more or less bad for you or doesn't provide substantial benefits(Gatoraid is my favorite example of a horrible alternative to pop) so just drink water and coffee(in moderation) if you want a boost. I then proceeded to reducing my meat intake. I focused on breakfast first, fine tuned it to be a highly nutritional experience and moved on to afternoon snacking. Followed then by lunch and finally dinner. Find enjoyment in understanding the nutritional benefits from "real foods" and make it a point to try all the natural wonders we have available to us growing right up from the dirt. I have personally tried to buy every fruit/vegetable sold at the grocery store and incorporate it into a dish, amazing the amount of natural flavors available to us. Again, this is all personal opinion and if a strict diet is the right choice for you to implement changes to your eating habits more power to you, but don't forget that you have the power to change and make good decisions on your own logic! Best of luck to you!
Sugar withdrawal can be tough, we eat so much refined sugar and carbs, which are also just sugars. Before 50-60 years ago people didn't consume this much sugar at ANY point in time in history. I'll eat strictly meat and veggies for dinner and I can't believe how hungry I am when I wake up. Lack of white sugar makes people go through intense withdrawals but if you can overcome that it gets better. Eat natural sugar in fruit, nuts throughout the day.
Totally agree! I quit drinking 3+ years ago and it was easier than removing sugars. Studying up on gut microbiome is interesting to say the least!
Track your calories and consume less than you burn. You will lose weight no matter what type of calories they are.. Personally, I try to eat high protein (200grams) when I'm tracking macros and let the fats and carbs fall where they may. I'm not convinced that a high fat diet is desirable.......unless you have epilepsy.....
Identify what purpose you have for changing your diet...if its just to cut weight and the nutritional aspect of food and long term health isn't a concern...cutting calories and following fad diets may be for you. Losing weight is a by-product of eating healthy not the other way around. Check out the book "The China Study" if you really want some intense knowledge. It's the most comprehensive study of food and nutrition.
Couldn't agree more. I'll just add that most sweeteners are made using corn. Most, if not all corn these days is genetically modified. Stay away from genetically modified foods. If the bugs won't eat it, neither should a human. So, educate yourself on the many different names they use for sweeteners. 1 real deceptive name commonly found is "natural sweeteners". Good Luck.
Sorry to hear abt your loss 3+ years ago...
The basis of the ketogenic diet which Atkins made famous decades ago, is very simple,,,
1 gram of stored liver glycogen (the body's carbohydrate reserves) holds 4 grams of water.
When a person cuts their carb intake to 20-40 grams or less per day, (200-300 grams is more normal) the body burns the stored glycogen, hence causing rapid fluid weight loss. As this cylce continues the body shifts it's metabolism away from burning carb for energy and starts to burn more fat. The result is a mild form of ketosis and rapid weight loss compared to most diets. Some will experience the effects of ketogenic bad breath and others not, depending on the degree and duration of carb restriction. It is nearly impossible to completey elimate carb from the diet nor is it necessary.
The ketogenic diet is very low in fiber but other nutrients are available with sensible food selection. Bottom line
-you never have to be hungry as the ketogenic diet always allows the consumption of non carb foods.
-weight loss is rapid from accelerated fluid loss but this is encouraging to the dieter. Just be sure to drink alot of fluids.
-it's simple to do once you get the hang of where the carbs are, you don't have to obsess over meal planning.
-the hardest part however, is cutting way down on foods most people love. The toast with the omelette, the pasta with the cheese or meat sauce, the rice and beans with the tacos, potatoes, bread with the meal, etc etc.
Source of this information,,,,a bachelors and masters degree in nutrition and excercise physiology courtesy of the good ole University of Nebraska.
1 gram of stored liver glycogen (the body's carbohydrate reserves) holds 4 grams of water.
When a person cuts their carb intake to 20-40 grams or less per day, (200-300 grams is more normal) the body burns the stored glycogen, hence causing rapid fluid weight loss. As this cylce continues the body shifts it's metabolism away from burning carb for energy and starts to burn more fat. The result is a mild form of ketosis and rapid weight loss compared to most diets. Some will experience the effects of ketogenic bad breath and others not, depending on the degree and duration of carb restriction. It is nearly impossible to completey elimate carb from the diet nor is it necessary.
The ketogenic diet is very low in fiber but other nutrients are available with sensible food selection. Bottom line
-you never have to be hungry as the ketogenic diet always allows the consumption of non carb foods.
-weight loss is rapid from accelerated fluid loss but this is encouraging to the dieter. Just be sure to drink alot of fluids.
-it's simple to do once you get the hang of where the carbs are, you don't have to obsess over meal planning.
-the hardest part however, is cutting way down on foods most people love. The toast with the omelette, the pasta with the cheese or meat sauce, the rice and beans with the tacos, potatoes, bread with the meal, etc etc.
Source of this information,,,,a bachelors and masters degree in nutrition and excercise physiology courtesy of the good ole University of Nebraska.
What can I say...I got too good at it 
. There's healthier alternatives some states call medicine!
. There's healthier alternatives some states call medicine!
Its taken me two years so far but Ive lost 65lbs. My goal was 100 and I should reach that by January of 2018. I didn't gain it overnight I am not going to lose it overnight. I've taken a slow but steady pace. I dont exercise at all either. After being in the military I promised myself no more exercise or shaving down to the skin on my face My diet is a 28 oz cup of coffee for breakfast with three tablespoons of creamer. For lunch I have a protein shake with almond milk. Then I eat a snack around 3 or so of almonds or fruit or my favorite cottage cheese. For supper I will eat whatever the family is having but in small amounts. My biggest issues is late night cravings. When I get those I try (try is important word) to eat either chips and hot sauce or something with high protein.
Biggest thing is no more fried food, no fast food, no sugary drinks. I drink lots of zero calorie poweraide or zero calorie crystal light. I hate water so this is a must to get my liquid in.
I give myself grace when needed and never condemn myself when I fail. when I fail I just say ok, i ate something I shouldnt have but I am not giving up nor will i beat myself up about it and just keep on plugging away.
Good luck.
My diet is a 28 oz cup of coffee for breakfast with three tablespoons of creamer. For lunch I have a protein shake with almond milk. Then I eat a snack around 3 or so of almonds or fruit or my favorite cottage cheese. For supper I will eat whatever the family is having but in small amounts. My biggest issues is late night cravings. When I get those I try (try is important word) to eat either chips and hot sauce or something with high protein.Biggest thing is no more fried food, no fast food, no sugary drinks. I drink lots of zero calorie poweraide or zero calorie crystal light. I hate water so this is a must to get my liquid in.
I give myself grace when needed and never condemn myself when I fail. when I fail I just say ok, i ate something I shouldnt have but I am not giving up nor will i beat myself up about it and just keep on plugging away.
Good luck.
^^THIS^^
Losing weight is about calories, not about gluten, carbs, sugars, eating nothing but beets, or the lunar cycle!!
Track your caloric intake and consume fewer calories than you use.
I lost 40lbs by merely tracking my calories, not by killing myself at the gym, running marathons, or using some unsustainable diet that cuts out a major portion of your regular food.
It takes me literally two minutes or less to input all my calories for the entire day.
Take ten minutes to read up on "BMR" & "TDEE". Then download My Fitness Pal for free on your phone.
That goes back to my previous comment...is Jedi simply trying to lose weight or impliment a healthy eating regimen for better health with weight loss as a by-product. If it's as simple as counting calories, my new diet would be 2 cans of pop, 4 candy bars and a bag of potato chips! I'm sure I'll be under my calories allowed for the day, so I'm good right?
This. This is why Weight Watchers is the most successful weight loss program of all time. You eat what you like, but count calories. It is that simple. Burn more calories than you eat = weight loss.
And don't confuse weight loss with healthy eating either. I can lose weight eating twinkies so long as I burn more than I eat. But it would not be healthy. So my advice is simple... eat natural, unrefined and organic foods in moderation. Splurge once in a while with something decadent just because life is good.
True, but for those who can honestly stick to Atkins, it's a great way to allow you to eat whenever hungry. Eventually with Atkins, your cravings die down and you find yourself eating less of everything.
The Atkins diet was funded by the meat & dairy industry...there is an undeniable correlation between increased meat/dairy consumption and cancer.
If you look hard enough, you can find a study that shows a correlation between exercise and lung cancer.
I read about a study in the paper this week linking people with early onset of gray hair to heart disease.
Of course, there were doctors who disagreed and provided a rebuttal to the study, but the point stands. There are grants and funding out there that will help pay for almost anything, if you look hard enough.
I read about a study in the paper this week linking people with early onset of gray hair to heart disease.
Of course, there were doctors who disagreed and provided a rebuttal to the study, but the point stands. There are grants and funding out there that will help pay for almost anything, if you look hard enough.
I guess I should have said there is profound evidence resulting from "The most comprehensive study of health and nutrition ever conducted" which spanned over 40 years. Ignorance is bliss
I googled "the most comprehensive study of health and nutrition ever conducted" and got like 10 different studies. I bet they all say something different.
seems most people eat a lot of crap at lunch. 4 years ago I cut out the crap at lunch. lots of just fruits and veggies. took me a few months and I dropped 30 lbs without breaking a sweat. i would not say I'm 'type a' at all, but i'm kinda wound tight and that helps keep it off...
Yes... Ketogenic WOE. Which is 20gm or less of carbs, high fat, moderate protein... for me... Liiterally saved my life. Before anyone tells me high fat will kill me let me just state that my lipids and triglycerides are better than they've been since I was in my 20's... A long time ago...
Congrats on the weight loss. That is awesome. There were a few theories being tossed around just wanted to confirm you were talking about the Ketogenic.
