Another Newbie- so scared. Have very little money for fancier diets and have tried everything

(GINA ) #27

If you find yourself getting confused when you google ‘keto’ (which is very understandable, there is no single definition) get yourself an old-school low carb book like Protein Power or Dr. Atkins New Diet Resolution and follow that.

I have read some crazy things that you ‘have to’ do/have/be to ‘do keto’… Like grass fed everything, no pork or dairy (that was from my own doctor), no artificial sweetener, pastured eggs only… the list goes on and on (and on).

Some of it may be better for you, but you have plenty of time later to worry about that. For right now, just get off the sugar and starch, base your meals around meat, eggs and non-starchy vegetables, add some dairy if you like it, and you’ll be fine.

#28

I am already struggling with my addiction to cola, specifically my love for fizzy, cold cola drinks. I havn’t had any, but the desire is strong. I was wondering what the community thinks of Zevia drinks?

Also, apart from the obvious things like breath changes, how does one know they are in ketosis? Especially without access to anything to measure it.

(squirrel-kissing paper tamer) #29

This may help:

#30

Brilliant thank you. This is a great community :slight_smile:

(Tracy) #31

My food bill is a fraction of what it was before I started Keto. It’s because I now cook everything at home from scratch. I am less likely to waste anything because it was time consuming and took effort. Don’t let the effort of having to cook at home discourage you. There’s nothing normal about driving up to a window and someone handing you a bag of fried food won’t mold after 100 years.

(squirrel-kissing paper tamer) #32

Also, this is in one of the “cheap” keto threads, videos:

(Judith) #33

If you find it really hard to ditch the coke, try to find a bottled kombucha that’s fizzy. I buy a 330 ml bottle and have up to 100 ml if I’m desperate for that fizzy feel. It’s barely sweet but so satisfying. The brand I buy is ‘Remedy organic kombucha’, made in Australia (I live in NZ) but you’ll probably find something similar in the States - or learn to make your own. 100 ml of the apple crisp flavour is 1.5 grams of carb so its great in an ‘emergency! There are many different flavours and it has a screw top lid so you can use part of it and it will stay fizzy. Don’t stock up though - I just keep a couple of the small bottles handy for when life throws a carb ball! Generally speaking though you don’t want to drink your carbs.

(Tanya ) #34

Honestly, I wouldn’t worry about net carbs. I realize it is very hard when on a budget, but eating whole food and avoiding packaged food is the goal. I realize veggies still come with carbs, but it’s best to count whole carbs when weight loss is the primary goal. Many people are sensitive to fibers and so it’s not always best practice to subtract them.

You really don’t have to worry that much about your protein macro, except that you always want to hit it. This will preserve your learn mass. If you go over, it should be fine. You are right that the best way to see results is keep it simply to some veggies if you tolerate them, meat and eggs (if tolerated.) Dairy is fine if you can tolerate it but too much can be detrimental.

With that said, go ahead and eat fat if you need it and add high quality salt to your food and even water to avoid keto flu. Once you are fat adapted (4-6 weeks) you do not need the extra fat for weight loads. Your body fat will make up any deficit.

You can transition to low carb if you get to your goal and want to. But some people do not tolerate carbs very well so it’s best to stay lower carb (I’m one of those people.) You will quickly learn what works best for your body. Be patient, take it one day at a time and fuel the best you can. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just don’t give up!!

(Utility Muffin Research Kitchen) #35

And other people have gluconeogenesis in overdrive, and a protein heavy diet will lead to high insulin, precisely what we want to avoid. For these people high-fiber might be best. We just have to be open minded, and ready to experiment if we don’t see the desired results.

Meat is’nt “zero carb” because we convert some of it into carbs. There is no “zero carb” diet. And there is no “one size fits it all” in nutrition. :slight_smile:

Amen to that :slight_smile:

(Retta Stephenson) #36

Hi Sallou,

Speaking for myself, I love the Zevia drinks. Gave up all the others full of chemicals, and now when I want that cold fizzy drink, it’s a Zevia. They are spendy, but since I usually don’t do over a couple a month now, if that, it’s fine. I started more often, but just gradually drank less and less.

I especially like the Black Cherry, Cherry Cola, and Dr Zevia (similar to Dr Pepper).
Just my 2 cents. But then, I’m not a purist. I’m here for success, and whatever it takes to achieve that in a healthier way.

My best to you! :cup_with_straw::fork_and_knife::bacon::rainbow::blossom::grin:

(Polly) #37

If trying to eat keto on a tight budget, I would spend my money on delicious good quality meat rather than on soft drinks. Just my way of thinking perhaps!

(Bren Hill) #38

No answers because I’m fairly new to this myself, but just want to let you know you’re not alone. I’m recently divorced and disabled and trying to feed myself and my kids on $200 a month food stamps because my ex skipped the country to get out of paying child support. We would be homeless if my parents hadn’t taken us in and they’re retired and have a low income and high heating bills this time of year. But their income is just high enough we can’t qualify for public assistance as a household. We are trying to improve our diet as a family and it has helped that we’ve replaced all junk food with meat and veggies, but I do find I’m running out of food money long before the month is over (teenagers will do that to you). And the food pantry rarely has anything truly healthy - mostly cereal, bread, rice, pasta, and potatoes. Meat is almost never available there. And only 1 carton of eggs and one gallon of milk provided every 2 weeks. We go through a carton of eggs every 3 days and a gallon of milk in 2 days!

(Polly) #40

Would this post be by @billyshearsfan2 formerly posting under the name london2z John Linnon?

(squirrel-kissing paper tamer) #41

@billyshearsfan2 This is far too many words for one post. I suggest summarizing your thoughts and linking out for lengthy information.

(squirrel-kissing paper tamer) #44

Right, but this forum is already struggling to keep up so when you can link to the information please do. It’s redundant to copy and paste entire articles into a thread.

(squirrel-kissing paper tamer) #46

That’s certainly an idea, but the text would still be there if someone choose to drop it down. I’m not sure it would solve the problem.

(squirrel-kissing paper tamer) #48

Your post was deleted. Please stick to the original poster’s topic. She didn’t ask how to be a vegetarian or eat vegetarian sources of fat. If this is a topic that interests you there is a vegetarian keto section on the forum. Post this information (short form with links out) there.

(Polly) #50

I am very sorry @Sallou that your thread has been hijacked by someone who may be one of our compatriots. I just wanted to say that I respect your hunger for knowledge about how to find a way to make the ketogenic diet work for you.

Our wonderful hosts “The Two Dudes” have provided us with this online space for discussions about the ketogenic diet. I am very grateful to them.

Please do not feel any sense that your concerns have been dismissed because a discourteous poster has hi-jacked your thread.

@billyshearsfan2 I agree that the keto diet does not suit everyone, just as vegan, vegetarian, fruitarian or even carnivore does not suit everyone. The thing is that this is a space for people who want to talk about the ketogenic diet and how it works for them or doesn’t as the case may be.

It is not a platform for you to push some unfounded whacky ideas about gardening. I have grown veg in my home veg plots for most of my life and I know that the years I was able to incorporate some well rotted cow manure into my soil gave better results than the years when I relied solely on my own home produced compost.

For those who worry that we may all have made a terrible mistake following the two keto dudes down this path, one of my heroes Dr Shawn Baker has posted a great YouTube video extolling the virtues of veganism:

Vegan success story

Those who choose to be vegan have made a lifestyle choice which they believe works for them. I am delighted that they have found a lifestyle for them. I have found a lifestyle which works for me and I will defend to the last breath in my body my right to pursue my chosen lifestyle.

Apologies again, to the OP Sallou. This is your thread and I hope you are finding some keto meal options which fit into your budget.

(Polly) #51

Not censorship, more courtesy and manners!

(Tanya ) #52

Gluconeogenesis is just the process of our body turning stored amino acids into glucose when our glucose gets low and there isn’t any coming in. It is not the enemy of ketosis. Our body wants a certain amount of glucose in the blood at all times and it works hard to regulate it. MToo much protein doesn’t cause you to start converting it all to glucose. It is a very energy expensive process so it’s a myth that protein turns basically to sugar. However, type 1 diabetics will sometimes need to limit their protein in one sitting.