Advice on non acceptance

[OldDoug]

I don’t think people really care what you eat. It’s actually all about them like most things. It’s the guilty feeling that they get from eating crap knowing that you have the willpower to abstain. It’s cognitive dissonance just like a smoker trying to mentally justify their bad habit.

They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom,
For trying to change the system from within.
I’m coming now, I’m coming to reward them,
First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin.

Leonard Cohen - ‘First We Take Manhattan’

[atomicspacebunny]

The acceptance thing is not just a matter of a ketogenic diet (restabilization homeostasis from porocessed foods) but quality of food and amount eaten, the ketogenic diet may not be exactly an ancestral diet but it may be something we have recently discovered that is possibly sustainable and if not sustainable long-term; a way of recovering or understanding what is actually happening and understanding what is typically sustainable with weight gain or loss, disease and epidemiology?

This may be a little morbid and hypothetical but, I wish I had autopsy photos of mice or rats with a list of foods my dietary (critics) foes are eating and what I am eating:

Then I could say:

“…Notice how pink and healthy the internal organs and lean tissue is, and little to no fat inside this mouse compared to what I’m eating (Unprocessed Whole Foods)?

”…Now look at the inside of this mouse compared to what your eating, notice the fat populated around the internal organs and look how dark and sickly the internal organs look (Highly Refined Processed Foods)?

May be a little too morbid but would certainly get their attention with the visuals?

References:

1. THESE MICE STOPPED EATING CARBS SO YOU (MAYBE) DON’T HAVE TO

2. “…#7: Whole-food carbohydrates do not affect the body in the same way as processed and refined carbohydrates:

This should be obvious to anyone with a basic understanding of nutrition and human physiology, so I’m amazed at how often I see experts talk about all carbohydrates as if they’re the same.

In #1 above (see below) , I referenced studies indicating that most hunter-gatherer societies consumed about 30–40% of calories from carbohydrate. These carbohydrates came from starchy tubers and plants, whole fruit, and in some cases, honey. We also have evidence of specific ancestral populations—such as the Kitava, traditional Okinawans, and Tukisenta—that consumed between 70–95% of calories from whole-food carbohydrate. (14)

Yet despite this liberal consumption of carbohydrates, these people were remarkably lean, fit, and free of chronic, inflammatory diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurological conditions. (15) If carbohydrates cause these conditions, regardless of their source, why don’t we see such conditions in these groups?

What we do see is that these cultures acquire modern disease when they adopt a modern diet and lifestyle, complete with the highly processed and refined foods that characterize it.

When it comes to macronutrients, quality is much more important than quantity for most people.

”… #1: Paleo does not equal low-carb, and very low-carb/ketogenic diets are not our “default” nutritional state, as some have claimed:

Some low-carb advocates have claimed that most traditional hunter-gatherer societies consumed diets that were very low in carbohydrates. I’ve even seem some suggestions that nutritional ketosis was “the norm” for these cultures.

These claims are false. The majority of studies have shown that traditional hunter-gatherer (HG) societies typically consume between 30–40% of their total calories from carbohydrate, though the range can vary between 3–50% depending on the population studied and the latitude at which they live. (2, 3) The only HG societies observed to eat fewer than 20% of calories as carbohydrate were those living at latitudes quite distant from the equator, often in marginalized environments where fruits, vegetables, starches, and honey were not readily available.

Yet even these cultures—such as the traditional Inuit—often made an effort to obtain carbohydrates from berries, corms, nuts, seaweed, and tubers whenever they could, as Richard Nikoley has recently detailed on his blog. What’s more, contrary to popular claims, studies have shown that it’s unlikely the Inuit spent much time—if any—in nutritional ketosis. Their high protein intake would have prevented ketosis from occurring. (5)

So, while ancestral diets were certainly lower in carbohydrate than the diet currently recommended by the USDA (45–65% of calories), they were not typically “very low” in carbohydrate (<15% of calories). With virtually no historical examples of human beings following ketogenic diets for any significant length of time, and few examples of very low-carb diets, it’s difficult to imagine how these diets could be considered our “default” nutritional state or the optimal approach for most people. …More

[juice]

May be a little too morbid but would certainly get their attention with the visuals?

I’d use big (A1) photos to demonstrate this for maximum impact.

[ctviggen]

If I could tell my kids what to eat, I’d recommend a Paleo (strict - we know people who went on a “paleo” diet and had tons of desserts) diet. One you are metabolically deranged though, I think you need more carb reduction.

And this whole “I know what the Inuit ate” argument misses the point that they ate a pretty darn low carb diet. The Comanches did too, basically eating buffalo. Would they eat greens and tubers? Sure. If you’re hungry, you’ll eat anything.

[juice]

we know people who went on a “paleo” diet and had tons of desserts

[atomicspacebunny]

And this whole “I know what the Inuit ate” argument misses the point that they ate a pretty darn low carb diet.

Eating lots and lots of meat, cooked (carbs) does not equal no carb or a ZERO CARB diet, gluconeogenesis is a fact even more so when you cook meat (carbs), not an argument, it just takes longer for it to convert into glucose, eat too much meat and you will be top spiking insulin rather than glucagon! That is why people have problems losing weight on a ketogenic diet (over 4 oz. or more of cooked protein) because they have no idea whether or not they are top spiking their insulin (disabling IGF-1) rather than their glucagon even with the ability to measure glucose with a machine from meal to meal and why ketone levels drop like a brick! It even becomes more confusing when fully ketogenically fat adapted after around the 27 week mark with low blood ketones and no weight loss!

References:

1. “…If one had access to and ate different animals, all range fed and without pollutants, and if one ate all offal (and stomach contents) it’s possible to approach zero carb…” “…Many like to take this point combined with examples of people surviving on animals alone as proof that vegetables should be restricted or avoided entirely. As I see it, when a carnivorous-predominant group does arise, like the Inuit, it is only out of necessity. They are an exception to the rule. The Inuit survived in a barren, arid environment by eating whatever was available: marine animals, fat, blubber, organs, and fish. …” …More

[LeCheffre]

I generally have enough pedantic facts to even make medical professionals give up. Generally, folks want to know what I’m doing. When I explain that it’s reducing sugar and starch and embracing whole, natural foods and better food quality, no one has any problem and they want the results.

If someone says I’ve lost enough, I thank them and note they haven’t seen me naked, and probably don’t want to. If they say “only one,” I note that I’ve never been an “only one” at anything in life. And if they want me to go back to fries and donuts and such, so we can be social, I note that if donuts are the extent of our socialization, we’re not being good friends to one another.

[LeCheffre]

sometimes I dont know if its concern or jealousy

It’s jealousy.
Or something dark like that. They don’t like losing a metal comparison. Or things aren’t going as well and they resent your success.

[LeCheffre]

not consuming bread and eating too much fatty food to be on a ‘diet’.

Consider. If I eat a burger with a bun, versus a burger patty alone, I have modified the macros, but I haven’t magically reduced the total fat or calories by adding the bun. I’ve actually increased both. So, I’m actually having a lower calorie, and possibly lower fat sandwich without the bread.

[juice]

If someone says I’ve lost enough, I thank them and note they haven’t seen me naked, and probably don’t want to.

“But I am prepared to demonstrate if you keep pushing.”

If they say “only one,” I note that I’ve never been an “only one” at anything in life.

Amen to that.

[GentleBen]

I play my Vietnam War card: “Sorry, but Agent Orange exposure screwed up my digestive system and this is the only way I can eat. Those damn politicians.”

Most of my liberal friends will give me a “right on” and my conservative friends will chuckle. But they all shut up.

[ava_ad0re]

I’ve had two things happen to me in the last week on Facebook;

Both were comments on my progress photos and how two people preferred some of my before shots to my after shot.
I found it highly offensive.
One said “I prefer the first one”
And “You look the best in the second”

Nothing infuriated me more. Wtf are you to comment on my body and what YOU prefer?

I don’t tell people about Keto anymore and when they make comments I just ignore them. I can’t battle jealousy, and stupidity and ignorance all in the one go.

[juice]

Nothing infuriated me more. Wtf are you to comment on my body and what YOU prefer?

Well, gotta expect that when you put things on FB, TBH. It’s about social interaction.

That they’re wrong is their prerogative.

[ClaraJTeixeira]

One said “I prefer the first one”
And “You look the best in the second”

I shared before and after photos of my puffy face vs my thinner keto face and someone couldn’t figure out the difference. When I pointed it out she thought I looked better puffy. Just can’t win.

[ava_ad0re]

I’ve given up on Facebook anything. Lol.

[juice]

I’ve given up on Facebook anything. Lol.

I’ve been off it for a year (way before that stupid #deletefacebook clicktivism stuff).

[islandlight]

In the past, in my innocence I was just honest about what I was doing, and as @Goldengirl3102 and others have experienced, people would criticize or try to convince me. In one case they succeeded (“C’mon, it’s [special occasion]”), much to my detriment.

I’m not a person who likes to debate, discuss, disprove, etc. I’ve learned to do the following:

Follow the First Rule of Keto (look it up! I love it).

Be vague: “I’m not sure how much I’ve lost”; “I’m trying to cut back on sugar,” etc.

Roll with the punches. If they ask if you’ve lost weight, say, “Maybe.” If they say you’ve lost too much weight, nod and say “Oh, okay.” If they give diet advice, thank them and change the subject.

To keep people from noticing that you’re not eating:

Leave the table on some pretext (bathroom, phone call, checking on kids).

Help with prep, serving, or cleanup. With luck, no one will notice that you’re not eating.

Accept the food and then don’t eat it (if it’s a stand-up party, you can put the food down somewhere and walk away).

If people do notice what you’re eating or not eating:

Say, “I’m fine. . . . No really, I’m fine.”

“I enjoy the taste/mouth feel without the crust/bun/whatever. Want to try some?”

“I can’t eat as much as I used to.”

“I already ate, thanks,” or “My husband/staff/cat has dinner waiting for me at home.”

Say, “There are too many things I can’t eat.”** If they push it or ask why, you can say, “I don’t like to talk about it” or “It’s a health matter.”

I think it really comes down to how committed and comfortable we are with our decision. I don’t drink, and I have absolutely no problem turning down a drink. Mostly I just tell them it doesn’t make me feel good (which is the simple truth). When I was younger, this was considered rude or weird, and I still managed not to give in. The same goes for people who are trying to get us to vote their way, have sex with them, etc., etc. If we can gracefully resist the pressure to do these things, we can get out of discussions about what we eat as well.

But when people want me to have “just one” whatever, I guess there’s a small part of me that kind of wants it, so it can become a problem. I need to work on myself to make sure it isn’t a problem.

If someone admires your weight loss or other positive changes, and genuinely wants to know how you did it, you can break the First Rule of Keto.

Good luck!

** “There are too many things I can’t eat.” This is my go-to stock phrase.

[Saphire]

I guess I do not see a problem. On more than one social occasion I have sat and drunk water while everyone else had dinner because I had eaten too much that day and simply did not want anything. The way I look at it naturally thin people do this all the time. They simply say no thank you when you offer them something and do not eat it. They feel no obligation to eat for politeness. I think it is only the heavy and the formerly heavy who feel guilty saying no.

Full disclosure I work from home and have no co workers so that is not an issue. As for family and friends, I am not the type to go along. I am more likely the one to make everyone else go to the steakhouse because I refuse to eat italian

[tdean]

This is a great thread. I finally calmed my chemist down the other day when I was in buying them out of stock for keto test strips. (she takes one packet of 10 off the shelf ), Gimme five boxes!!

I’m convinced they thought I had some chronic diabetes related illness because the manager kept asking me whether I had a diabetes card than enables me to get a government discount.

I blurted out that I was buying all their keto strips because I couldn’t find them anywhere else, and also I’m on a ketogenic diet and testing my ketones daily.

D’OH!! :

The penny dropped, she seemed relieved and asked if I wanted to sign up for their Amcal card, I can save money!! So you can use this perception to your advantage!!

[Ohioms]

Cool story. Good Chemist/Pharm - shows she cares and
would trust her in her work! Congrats on enlightening
another - she will not forget and may even pass the word.