Going in an out of ketosis?

#1

Hello. I’m new to the ketogenic diet. In fact, I’ve only just started 2 days ago. However, I’ve been doing a lot of research and I want this to become a lifestyle change. There is just one small issue though, and that is that in mid September, I will be going on vacation to Bali. My partner and I have been planning and saving for this trip for a while now, and I would really like to be able to indulge a bit and enjoy myself while on vacation.

I understand that it is not good for my body or for my diet to go in and out of ketosis. Would being on the keto diet for 4 months be long enough to keep my body in a state of ketosis even on a week long vacation? If not, how harmful is it for the body to return to a high carb diet for a week or so, and then return to a ketogenic diet?

Thanks!

#2

It’s hard to say. Since the extent of metabolic derangement is different between people. Some people may experience a stall for a period of time after getting back into keto, while others may experience sore joints (knees, back, feet…etc) for a few weeks. The situation may be worse if there are diseases and medication involved. It sounds like you will be going on this type of vacation only once in a blue moon. Unless there is a medical issue that needs to be discussed with your doctor, you will need to decide whether or not you want to experience the negative consequences (whatever they may be).

(Barbara Greenwood) #3

Someone commented on another forum that going in and out of ketosis is confusing for your body, and can be harmful. I’ve asked what kind of harm it will do… but no response has been forthcoming.

Any ideas?

I mean… if going INTO ketosis dealt with a health issue for you, then going OUT of ketosis will probably allow that health issue to re-emerge. But how quickly that happens has got to be massively variable, surely?

Some people say that if they have more than their usual amount of carbs, they pay for it with headaches, or bloating, or joint pain. The only impact I see is on my blood glucose, and it’s transient. Sure, if I ate more carbs on an ongoing basis, my BG would generally creep up, but that’s not what we’re talking about here. We’re talking about going out of a keto for a few days every now and then. How is it harmful, please?

(Mike W.) #4

It’s easy enough to enjoy yourself and remain Keto. You’re way to early in the process to understand that now. I have a feeling that by September you might have a different opinion of cheating and I don’t think you’ll want anything to do with it :wink:

(3c6f21097d06511a9e23) #5

Ive dropped out a few times over the course of last year usually due to vacation or a family event. For me I don’t believe you should get overly hung up on a few times a year dropping off the regime. After four months of ketosis I would think it might take you a week to ten days to get back to ketosis after dropping out, maybe only a few days. You have to your life and enjoy it, don’t fixate on the the plan so much or you may decide to throw the towel in at some point. One thing to say is you do need to have the willpower to get straight back on the plan after the event. Once you are really fat adapted getting back to ketosis should become easier for you and your body so for those first four months you want to really keep on track and get your body used to running on fat and not carbs. This has been my experience over the last year. Hth \v/

(Pete A) #6

4 months in ketosis should allow you to make the right choices as far as “indulging”. I don’t think you can do lasting damage unless you really force yourself haha