Is it possible to be on a sorta-Keto diet? Am I on a Keto diet?

(Phelps) #1

Hello,
I’m sure I won’t get much love for this post in a Keto forum, but I’ll survive.
I started adopting some of the approaches of Keto in an attempt to lose weight (from 215 down to 175, is the goal). I’ve used Atkins before to lose large amounts of weight (which of course means, I’ve also gained it back as well! (the beer made me do it)). Anyway this time I’ve tried to incorporate Keto concepts of adding more fats.
I’m honestly very good at controlling what I eat when on a diet- I don’t care about replacing snacks with fake-brownies and replacement treats etc. I just won’t eat them and it doesn’t bother me. I never cheat.
Basically I have an egg bacon cheese omelet in the morning and add some grass-fed butter. Then I’ll go to the gym for an hour. I’m no weight-trainer or fitness guru (and have no aspirations to be), just doing weight lifting (with running on the days off) to aid the weight loss. After the gym I drink a keto shake with bhb salts (just water and the chocolate-raspberry salts). Then maybe snack on a piece of bacon until lunch where I’ll have grilled chicken thighs and half an avocado. (One of my problems with going full-throttle with Keto is I just would get sick forcing more butter/avocados down my throat. I love them both but I don’t want to eat them until nausea. I also just have a smaller appetite now)

Anyway, literally my only daily snacks are bacon and almonds (of which I will only have a few at a time- probably 10-15 almonds a day in total). I’m no cook so for dinner I have an Atkins frozen dinner and sometimes I’ll add butter to that (though again, the idea of buttering up every vegetable kinda makes me sick). And maybe I’ll have a slice of bacon after that. Every few days, to keep things interesting, I’ll make some dish of meat and veggies too. Sausage and onions/peppers, pork chops, some steak etc…Always just meat and veggies. I stick to a rule of no food after 8pm and I never break that rule. I don’t have “breakdowns”, ever. I can lock into a diet like this indefinitely, I enjoy the simple, crude routine of it. Anyway I have no interest in testing myself. I don’t criticize anyone for doing so (and of course, I know many do for legitimate medical reasons). I feel if I stick to a strict low-carb diet, and exercise hard every day, there’s no question I’m going to lose weight… I have no time requirement for how long it takes.

My question is… Am I on a keto diet? Does taking the Bhb salts aid at all? I take them after my workout and after dinner. Basically during long stretches of not eating. I’m also planning to try to add coconut oil to my coffee. So I am trying to adhere to some of the principles of Keto. I just don’t want to take blood or pee on anything. And I don’t like to spend any time preparing any meals (on a diet or not, I’m simply not a cook!) But I’m not sure if the Bhb salts do any good if I’m not fully in ketosis? I’m not sure what ketosis feels like so I don’t know if I’ve been in it. I know the groaning feeling in my stomach when I’ve done Atkins before, but that was frankly probably more food deprivation. I haven’t noticed any weird changes to my breath/urine. My farts smell terrible but I have only small infrequent bowel movements (which I find a bit odd- I fart a lot but almost never have a significant bowel movement), very different than on my normal diet. I will try to up my fat intake but I’m not going to lather vegetables with butter until I puke. Can you be on a sorta-keto diet? Only hit ketosis occasionally? Do the salts help if you’re not in deep ketosis? It’s just a diet for me, and I plan to go back to my normal diet once I’ve reached my goal (and then try to drink a lot less beer! (the real culprit here!)) I just figure if I eat a tight diet, whatever it is, and exercise hard everyday, I should be ok! Any thoughts would be appreciated! Best of luck to all.

(bulkbiker) #2

You have an odd idea of what keto is…!

What is in the BHB salts you are taking?
My other question would be why are you doing keto? (and it sounds like you are pretty much although I’d be careful of the Atkins meals and just repeat your lunch for dinner). The reasons why can sometimes help with more detailed advice.

(Ellie) #3

It sounds like you are absolutely doing a keto diet.
You don’t need to measure ketones to be producing them.
I have never tested my blood for ketones, or pee’d on a stick. It doesn’t mean that I’m not going keto.

You don’t need to anything eat ad nauseum. The simple view is keep carbs below 20g, fill up using fat and eat to satiety.
The foods you listed are spot on!
KCKO!

(Allie) #4

If it’s working for you don’t worry about what label it falls into, the results matter more than anything else.

(Carpe salata!) #5

Welcome to KETO. I don’t measure anything either.

(Pete A) #6

…is a popular way to define Keto. Or keep under 20 carbs (or whatever you find an agreeable threshold) and it’ll all work out.

I’d be thoughtful about frankenfood, but beyond that it sounds like you’re doing great!

(KCKO, KCFO 🥥) #7

for sure it is a low carb/high fat diet. Which is a good thing. Being keto depends on how many carbs you eat daily. 20 grams is the gold standard but many people, myself included can eat up to 50 grams of carb and still be producing ketones.

If it works for you, and you don’t get hungry all the time, keep doing it.

You do not have to put added fats on everything, especially if you want to burn your body fat.

I’d try to find quick meals with real foods more than the Atkins or any other frozen foods. I do keep chicken crust pizzas for emergencies in the freezer, but we have those maybe once a month, not daily for sure.

All the best on getting it all sorted out.

(Phelps) #8

Thank you! I guess I understand Keto to be high-fat, low carb, moderate-protein. My challenge is simply increasing fat isn’t as easy as it sounds. Eating a ton of high fat gets me a bit nauseous, that’s all. Even an entire avocado a day every day can get old… The BHB salts say “pure BHB salts”. I’ll have to look, I don’t have them right now. I’m doing it to jump-start weight loss. Realistically I won’t get more salts as they’re not cheap. I was frustrated with how much weight I was carrying so I wanted to rapidly lose some in the first few weeks, I’m fine with slowing down (as a healthy diet and exercise routine is a long-term habit, not a “diet”)

(Phelps) #9

Thanks. I’ve never heard of chicken crust pizzas but i’ll check them out! Yes I’m trying to work on better meals than the frozen Atkins… I’ll learn to cook eventually!

(Karen Parrott) #11

I’m Keto because I’m very low carb 27-50 grams of carbs AND I 18:6 early time restrict eat. Don’t let anyone take your Keto card away. That’s baloney I run 0.5 to 1.8. Ketones. Make your Keto what works for you. Onward.

(Phelps) #12

Thanks! I guess I don’t really feel that different, so it’s hard to tell. And to be honest, I’ve been doing it 2 weeks now but I haven’t weighed myself in that time. I try not to sweat that too much. I know I’ve lost weight, I can feel it… But I don’t like to worry about the results too much, I know I’m doing a good job with the process. But people talk about all these experiences they have when going into Ketosis, Keto flu, strange smells etc… and I really haven’t noticed anything… Well, it will work out. Thank you!

(Phelps) #13

BTW, why are the Atkins meals of concern? Thanks

(GINA ) #14

A ketogenic diet is a diet that puts you ketosis. That’s it.

For one person that could mean 10 carbs and strict restrictions on protein, for another it could mean 75 carbs and all the protein they feel like eating.

There are ketogenic protocals for cancer and epilepsy that are much more structured and specific, but of you just want to feel good and drop some weight it sounds like you found your path. You could use one of the testing methods if you want to be sure you are in ketosis if it matters to you.

(Allie) #15

Atkins bars are chemical shitstorms basically, full of crap you don’t need that won’t help you. Real food is way better.

(Phelps) #16

Thanks. I haven’t had an Atkins bar before, I only eat the Atkins frozen meals which are very low in carbs. I would prefer real food myself but I work on all day and then I go home and I work more. I guess if you enjoy you make time for it though! Someday.

(KCKO, KCFO 🥥) #17

Real Good Food Company makes them, Walmarts and most of the Kroger family of supermarkets have them. They also do a couple of good tasting enchiladas, chicken and beef.

(KCKO, KCFO 🥥) #18

For me it is the sugar alcohols, have to stay close to the loo after eating most of their stuff.

(Jennibc) #19

Crockpots are the best! Throw a chuck roast (seared in avocado oil) in there before you go with a cup of red wine, mushrooms and whole garlic cloves with some pepper, salt, rosemary, dry mustard and you will have a tasty meal when you get home and enough to freeze for several more meals to come.

(Phelps) #20

Sounds delicious! Thanks!

#21

I agree with @GME. Any eating/fasting regime that puts one in ketosis is a ketogenic diet. But the label isn’t important. What matters is results. You lost the weight before. And regained it. This time, you may want to give some thought to creating a system that’s sustainable for you.

My life does not revolve around food. I need dietary flexibility. My ketogenic diet isn’t drastically LC, I combine it with a fasting regime that allows me to continue to make progress towards my goals.