My Bacon Cheeseburger and Fries Expwriment

#1

OK, I’ve been doing LCHF with several fasts over the past 8 full days and wanted to see how my body was responding and if it could withstand the assault of a cheeseburger and fries.

(I have been on low carb since April 8 and had lost 22 pounds from 255 and had plateaued at 233. A solid deficit of -22 but on hold. I am no doubt highly insulin resistant and probably pre-diabetic; no blood sugar meds.)

Tonight I wanted to see how I would do by eating a big cheeseburger from Burgersmith. Plus I just wanted one anyway.

First, the scenario: Started at 233 pounds with average BG 95-102; began 8 days ago with 49-hour water fast; day 3 18:6; day 4 18:6 but ate well for my daughters birthday including big slice of rich cake; days 5-6-7 followed with a 70-hour water fast; day 8 18:6.

Lost 8 pounds in 8 days, down to 225 (-30 pounds overall), with BG falling as low as 85 but norm was 91. Felt great but had dragon breath and some urgent liquid exhaust at times. My Marine Corps discipline from way back still comes in handy.

That brings us to today, I fasted 18 hours then ate almonds and cheese only at 2 p.m. and at 6:30 pm I recorded a baseline of BG 93.

From 7 pm to about 7:35 pm I ate a large Burgersmith prime bacon cheeseburger, medium fries with ketchup, unsweetened tea with one Splenda. I was quite sated, and smiling.

A half hour later at 8:05 pm — T30, right? — I tested at BG 147. A nice 54-point spike.

At 9:30 pm —T90 — I was at BG 115 or high normal.

At 10:15 pm — T135 — or just over two hours post burger I was at BG 102.

What I learned: I still like Burgersmith but maybe cheeseburgers and fries might best be a rare treat. Or at least skip the fries.

Also, I finally tested my BG spike and decline potential and it was right on target post 30 minutes and 90 minutes. Wish it had dropped a little more at two hours but I won’t know because I forgot to check it at T120 because I was reading this forum.

Course of action: Return to my 18:6 routine for the next two days then begin a 48-hour water fast on Monday-Tuesday. Take it from there.

I wish I could go full keto, and may try it, but I had my gall bladder removed a few years ago and too many really high fat meals can be painful.

The fasting has seemed to be beneficial. Now need to find a balance with the timing and consistency.

By the way, did I totally wreck my ketosis state?

(Alec) #2

Probably, but who cares, you enjoyed a burger with some carbs. You’ve been fasting and doing keto, and it’s working for you. I think you are all good, except if you decide to do this every 3 days. Make it a rare treat, and it’s fine. It’s not keto, but we don’t have to be keto 100% of the time.

I haven’t had fries now for Lord knows how long… don’t really miss them.

It’s probably the bun and sauce that was the most non-keto you had.

#3

Figured the wheat-laden buns were main factor. But I also had an option for a gluten-free bun. Would it have made much difference?

(Alec) #4

Nope. Gluten free makes approx zero difference with respect to carbs and keto. It you enjoyed it, good for you. Now just knuckle down and do a fast! :+1::+1:

#5

It’s not the burger and fries that get me, it’s that darn great Cajun cook I am married to. Her and my full set of “sweet tooths”. At least I’ve kicked my years-long addiction to Atomic Fireballs and those pink peanut patties.

I liked those fireballs so much I had callouses on the inside of my cheeks.

(Alec) #6

By the way, bravo for testing your reaction. This says you understand what’s keto and what’s not, and you care. You’re doing this just fine!

#7

Thanks for the feedback and support … guess what this forum is all about.

You know, at age 68, these things just don’t get any easier. Better understood but not easier.

#8

Midnight update. Final blood glucose check. Four and a half hours PB (post-burger) or T270.

BG 97. Very pleased. Good night.

(Alec) #9

Be aware that your testing makes no comment on how much insulin it took to reduce your BG back to normal. It’s the insulin that we’re trying to avoid.

#10

Understood. How do I figure that? By my body makeup and history of obesity I am sure it took a lot more than normal people. But my body seems to be regulating it on its own at a relatively normal pace. Time and BG readings are all I know at this point.

(Alec) #11

And alas, thta’s all we’ve got right now. Wouldn’t it be great if we had an insulin monitor? My point is just to be aware that just because BG reduces to a “normal” level, that doesn’t mean all is OK.

#12

Woke up today to a BG that had settled to 93. Since it had been 14 hours, I decided to do a 24-hour fast. But at 19 hours decided a palm full of almonds and some cheese wouldn’t hurt. It didn’t. At 24 hours my BG was 79. For sure time to eat a little. Ready for a modest meal of meat loaf and veggies. Will keep you posted.

#13

Wow! huge difference from last night! What you eat does make a difference.

Last night I went from 91 to 143 at T30 following cheeseburger and fries at Burgersmith.

A spike of 52 points. (Later returned to BG 97.)

Tonight after a 23-hour fast had dropped my BG to 79 — I ate 6-8 oz of meatloaf with just a smear of tomato paste; a serving of sautéed mushrooms and one indulgence of a Diet Dr. Pepper and then a little Havarti cheese.

At T30 my BG was only up to 90. Kinda shocked, really. A spike of only 11 points.

I guess the fasting and a very low carb meal (but a bit high in protein) made a huge difference. My T90 check will also be interesting to see if it goes low again. I really don’t see how.

#14

Looks good at T90. My blood glucose fell to 83.

Baseline BG 91
After 23-hour fast, BG 79
Meatloaf and mushrooms dinner
Half hour later, at T30, up to BG 90
90 minutes post meal, at T90, down to BG 83

I know I am not accounting for insulin levels but now I have a better idea how my BG reacts to both fasting, and a high carb meal vs. a lower carb meal. Now I can focus on higher fats and consistency in fasting.

I tend to respond better to 24-hour and 18:6 fasts. Reminder, I can’t eat too high of fats because of gall bladder removal/discomfort.

Now on to losing another 26 pounds (56 total) and to battling some baffling “idiopathic” peripheral neuropathy.