Sticking with Keto

(Ernesto Llorente) #1

So…I’ve been on Keto for the past three to four months. I have to say that I have been very strict on my diet and I am reaping the benefit such as normal blood sugar readings in the mornings (no more 280, now I see 78-90); no more BG meds; more energy and a whole new set of wardrobe. But the problem that I am having is cravings…Strong cravings…like it talks to me cravings for sugary carbs…In the beginning, it was easy to stick with Keto and say no to sugary carbs because it was a life or death situation, but now nice I am a bit safer and healthier, the carbs are calling me, stalking me. I know, a bit too much? But this is how I feel. So I want to know what you guys, who have been on Keto longer than I do to stick with Keto and successfully say no to carbs. I was thinking cyclical Keto, you know, do Keto Mon-Sat, Sunday eat what I want, but I am not sure about it. As of now, I begin my day with Keto, but as the day closes, I fall off the wagon. Any tips would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

(Stacy) #2

Fake sugar gives me cravings so I avoid it. Fasting helps too. When I intermittent fast and consume only water I crave less than if I eat in the am. I also find keto baked goods cause cravings for me. I do best sticking to simple keto foods.

(Allan L) #3

I tried this for 3 weeks and the carb cravings just come stronger and stronger with cycling. Now on week 3 I am craving carbs every single day and could almost zombie walk to the store for sweets every single day. Don’t do it.

I’m spending every week day fixing the damage I did on the weekend and its slowly getting worse.

Gone back to strict keto/zero carb.

Can’t give you any tips to help with the carb cravings but what I now do when I get them is eat fat / protein. Some whipped up cream etc. I’ve over eating but not causing as much damage as eating sugar / carbs. I hope this corrects itself soon and I can go back to OMAD.

(Renee Slaughter) #4

For me the physical cravings went away. When I had them I ate more fat until they went away. Now I notice that the mental craving is happening. Like I remember that cake taste good so I may taste it. So I keep away and keep it away from me.

(Ernesto Llorente) #5

Yeah, lately I use Splenda like crazy unlike before I drank my coffee without any sweeteners. Maybe this may be the trigger for me. I am working out the fasting as well, sometimes I get Hypos, so I have to pop a glucose pills from time to time. No, I am not taking any BG meds, just in case you’re wondering. Thanks!

(Ernesto Llorente) #6

Yeah, I can see that. My fam, they don’t do Keto so sometimes they buy junk food and store it in the cupboard and you know what happens when I am alone…Yup I rip into em. But in the begining I had a stronger will power and it would not phase me. Now I find myself giving in to with almost no fight.

(Ernesto Llorente) #7

Thanks Allan, I am going to have fat snacks readiliy available when I get those cravings.

#8

I’ve been really struggling lately as well, and finding myself unable to fast whereas last couple of weeks I was not having hunger and fasted very easily. Now I am hungry all the time and if I try to fast I start feeling crazy. Very frustrating!

(Brian) #9

I’m not a fan of Splenda. If I need something in my coffee, I’ll generally use stevia or a stevia/erythritol blend, which seems to work for me. (I know, different people like different sweeteners better than others.)

If you’re still having cravings for sweets, that can be a lack of potassium in your diet. Different cravings can signal various deficiencies. It’s worth exploring, anyway.

Good luck!

(Darlene Horsley) #10

Splenda contains Malto dextrin which causes an insulin Spike. I stay away from it!

(Ernesto Llorente) #11

Very true. For some reason, I am having the same problem. Before I had this resolve, now it’s like “hey, you want a piece (anything non-Keto)” I’m like “Sure”, without any hesitation. I am hungrier now than when I started Keto. I think about food a lot lately. Very frustrating. Maybe its because I may have a lot on my mind lately…hmmm

(Ernesto Llorente) #12

sigh…will do thanks!

(Ernesto Llorente) #13

Thank you Bellyman, I will look into stevia and the potassium.

#14

My current method to deal with this is A. Making a spreadsheet of the foods that I am easily able to buy regularly with their macros so I can make myself a little meal plan. I thought I was doing well intuitively eating but I’m afraid I’m maybe getting too much protein which is turning into glucose?
B. Allowing myself to eat when I’m hungry. I think part of my cravings come from a feeling of being denied. But I have to watch out for foods that trigger overeating: for me it’s nut butters. I try to stick to bacon and cheese for snacking.
C. I think I need to get more exercise, I definitely am a bored eater and I’m under a lot of stress right now, got a lot on my mind as well, so I haven’t allowed myself up from my desk to get the blood moving enough. Going to try going at least on a brisk walk if I’m starting to lose focus and think about food

#15

I think that if we rely on will power then we are just sitting on a ticking time bomb and failure is kind of inevitable.

(Been there. Done that.)

How about trying to find a way to do this that is sustainable, enjoyable and doesn’t need will power?

For me, that means glorious cheeses (I prefer it to sweet stuff, but keto cheesecake will do), chocolate every day (2 square of the really dark stuff) and a personal promise to my own body that it doesn’t have to be miserable. I eat when I am hungry, and I eat foods I enjoy. No martyred self denial here.

Nowadays the carbs, carb cravings, ravening hunger and food obsessions are the unsustainable parts :grin:

#16

Many people say fasting helps break food cravings. Although I don’t have food addictions, I can attest that fasting is very good a developing resolve. Don’t be put off by how hard fasting may be initially, it gets easier.

(Ernesto Llorente) #17

Amen to that 4dml. I’ll start working on that!

(Ernesto Llorente) #18

Excellent suggestions LindsaySue. Same here, now that you mention it, I haven’t been working out for the past six weeks because my Cardiologist said that I have an inflamed ribcage due to heavy lifting. So since I am not lifting, I am not handling stress properly, making me emo eat. I also have issues with food. I just started again today with cardio and lite lifting (5 lbs dumbbell Felt like a sissy lifting small weights lol). And instantly felt better; there’s nothing like picking things up and putting them down. I guess my triggers may be the Splenda and I indulge in strawberries with a whole bunch of whipped cream for dessert after dinner or whenever. I don’t know I have to see. But thanks for your input.

(Ernesto Llorente) #19

I also love cheese and chocolate…I’ll see if I can add some more of these. Thanks!

(Tom) #20

Run us through a typical day of food. Cravings signal that you’re not having enough fat probably, and I find sweet stuff isn’t helpful and makes me hungry. Maybe one day I’ll get into keto baking, but for now I’m happy to forgo all forms of sweet things, and eat cheese instead after dinner.