Losing Weight by Cutting Carbs

Carbs are our main source of energy. That's why 100% of the carbs we eat is quickly converted to glucose. The Keto diet is not a new fad; it's a very old one. You may remember the "Stillman" diet many years ago. Same basic idea - eat mostly meat, eggs, cheese & severely limit plant-based foods, which is where the carbs are. Your body will then be forced to use stored fat for energy....sort of "Temporary Diabetes." That's why one of the first signs of diabetes is unexplained weight loss. Instead of using sugar for energy--which your body is designed to do, it uses fat--which is not designed to be used for energy.
Metabolizing fat for energy produces Ketones in the blood & urine - that's where the term "Keto" comes from, & that's why they sell those strips you can test your urine for, to see if you're in "Keto Mode." As others have said, that can cause other problems - which is why the Keto diet may not be safe for the long haul. One possible risk is osteoporosis. Unlike a carnivore's system, which is acid, our system is alkaline. Excess protein creates an acidic balance & our system uses calcium from bones to neutralize the acid. That can lead to brittle bones. It's not how much calcium we eat; it's how much we keep.

I don't blame anyone for wanting to lose weight - any way that works, regardless of the risks....I've been there. But it's not necessary to risk your health to lose weight.
I had a weight problem since birth - a chubby child, an obese adult & by age 28, 405 lbs & all the misery that goes with it. In my photo from 2015, I'm 185 lbs. I've now been at 170 lbs for the past 6 years. I didn't restrict fruit or vegetables, in fact I increased their consumption. I did severely restrict processed carbs - the carbs found in soda, pasta, bread, cookies, chips....everything we like to eat.
 

C'est Moi said:
People should realize that lowered glucose does not mean diabetes is cured; there is no cure for diabetes. There is control of the disease, which is what they are doing.

I also have a hard time with that doctor's claims about the "cleaning out damaged cells" and never having a patient who needs skin removal surgery. Maybe none of his patients were morbidly obese, but skin loses elasticity once stretched beyond it's limit.
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Well, you may have noticed I put the word "cured" in quotes precisely because I thought some might object to the use of the word otherwise -- apparently, some object even with the use of quotes! :D OTOH, eradicating the need for any diabetes medications and having blood indicators at non-diabetes levels for YEARS strikes me more than mere "control." YMMV.

You might want to google autophagy -- it's a thing. Then try adding "loose skin" to the search.

win231 said:
Carbs are our main source of energy. That's why 100% of the carbs we eat is quickly converted to glucose. The Keto diet is not a new fad; it's a very old one.
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The keto diet isn't a fad at all. It's a diet that was developed in the 1920s to treat epilepsy but has its basis in antiquity. You might want to google "keto diet history." And "Jason Fung" as well. Or here's his YouTube channel. He's written three best-selling books -- one is The Obesity Code, another is The Diabetes Code and I think the third is detailed info on his fasting protocols. I'd strongly recommend you avail yourself of some of this information so you have a realistic understanding of the principles you wish to refute. Don't anybody freak - he's got one video called "Insulin Toxicity and How to Cure Diabetes." Oh, here's another interesting video by another doctor: Reversing Type 2 diabetes starts with ignoring the guidelines. She talks about ADA guidelines.



win231 said:
You may remember the "Stillman" diet many years ago. Same basic idea - eat mostly meat, eggs, cheese & severely limit plant-based foods, which is where the carbs are. Your body will then be forced to use stored fat for energy....sort of "Temporary Diabetes." That's why one of the first signs of diabetes is unexplained weight loss. Instead of using sugar for energy--which your body is designed to do, it uses fat--which is not designed to be used for energy.
Click to expand...

Sudden weight loss:
Diabetes and sudden weight loss. In people with diabetes, insufficient insulin prevents the body from getting glucose from the blood into the body's cells to use as energy. When this occurs, the body starts burning fat and muscle for energy, causing a reduction in overall body weight.

Far more common with Type 1 where the pancreas doesn't produce sufficient insulin. Most people with Type 2 diabetes are overweight to obese -- not a problem of insufficient insulin but of insulin resistance. I personally think your "temporary diabetes" is wildly off the mark, but -- whatever.

I can tell you I mentioned that I was on the keto diet to 3 of my healthcare providers -- 2 MDs and a chiropractor/naturopath and they were all 3 totally thumbs up, which surprised me, frankly. No warnings or concerns whatsoever.

There's a lot of information out there from standard and conventional medicine that just isn't true. Period. A lot. Dangers of cholesterol, dangers of salt consumption, dangers of fat consumption to name just a few.
 
Bellesfleurs said:
Well, you may have noticed I put the word "cured" in quotes precisely because I thought some might object to the use of the word otherwise -- apparently, some object even with the use of quotes! :D OTOH, eradicating the need for any diabetes medications and having blood indicators at non-diabetes levels for YEARS strikes me more than mere "control." YMMV.

You might want to google autophagy -- it's a thing. Then try adding "loose skin" to the search.



The keto diet isn't a fad at all. It's a diet that was developed in the 1920s to treat epilepsy but has its basis in antiquity. You might want to google "keto diet history." And "Jason Fung" as well. Or here's his YouTube channel. He's written three best-selling books -- one is The Obesity Code, another is The Diabetes Code and I think the third is detailed info on his fasting protocols. I'd strongly recommend you avail yourself of some of this information so you have a realistic understanding of the principles you wish to refute. Don't anybody freak - he's got one video called "Insulin Toxicity and How to Cure Diabetes." Oh, here's another interesting video by another doctor: Reversing Type 2 diabetes starts with ignoring the guidelines. She talks about ADA guidelines.





Sudden weight loss:
Diabetes and sudden weight loss. In people with diabetes, insufficient insulin prevents the body from getting glucose from the blood into the body's cells to use as energy. When this occurs, the body starts burning fat and muscle for energy, causing a reduction in overall body weight.

Far more common with Type 1 where the pancreas doesn't produce sufficient insulin. Most people with Type 2 diabetes are overweight to obese -- not a problem of insufficient insulin but of insulin resistance. I personally think your "temporary diabetes" is wildly off the mark, but -- whatever.

I can tell you I mentioned that I was on the keto diet to 3 of my healthcare providers -- 2 MDs and a chiropractor/naturopath and they were all 3 totally thumbs up, which surprised me, frankly. No warnings or concerns whatsoever.

There's a lot of information out there from standard and conventional medicine that just isn't true. Period. A lot. Dangers of cholesterol, dangers of salt consumption, dangers of fat consumption to name just a few.
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Doctors are typically not a good source for nutritional information. Their education is focused on drugs, so it doesn't surprise me that many see nothing wrong with a high-protein diet. During my weight struggle, I saw several doctors (when I thought they could help me) & got nothing but ridiculous advice. And, any doctor who wants to make a fortune can write a book about weight loss because people are desperate & will try (or buy) anything to lose weight.

A perfect example is that ad for some weight-loss pills endorsed by some football player named Rodney Peete (I think) & his wife who say, "Eat whatever you want, don't exercise & lose 4 times the weight." Then, some idiot doctor praises his lab tests & how great the product is.....for a big check $$$$$$$$$$$.

Money talks
 

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Bellesfleurs said:
I've recently joined several keto diet Facebook groups and am astounded at all the health issues people have reported made better or "cured", as reported by members, some of which are also using IF - Intermittent Fasting as recommended by Dr. Jason Fung, a nephrologist. Some people are using IF alone and lose weight -- I don't think that's the right approach for me though.
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C'est Moi said:
People should realize that lowered glucose does not mean diabetes is cured; there is no cure for diabetes. There is control of the disease, which is what they are doing.

I also have a hard time with that doctor's claims about the "cleaning out damaged cells" and never having a patient who needs skin removal surgery. Maybe none of his patients were morbidly obese, but skin loses elasticity once stretched beyond it's limit.
Click to expand...

Bellesfleurs said:
Well, you may have noticed I put the word "cured" in quotes precisely because I thought some might object to the use of the word otherwise -- apparently, some object even with the use of quotes! :D OTOH, eradicating the need for any diabetes medications and having blood indicators at non-diabetes levels for YEARS strikes me more than mere "control." YMMV.

You might want to google autophagy -- it's a thing. Then try adding "loose skin" to the search.
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Well, first of all... no one "objected" to the use of the word. If you review the two previous posts, you said "people have reported..." and I responded "people should realize...". So my response was in line with what you posted and in no way an objection. :rolleyes:

I am familiar with autophagy, though it has only recently been included in weight-loss discussions. The latest buzz-word, I assume. And no amount of googling is going to convince me that some 400 pound individual isn't going to have massive loose skin after losing half their body weight.
 
I am feeling really great on this way of eating, and my energy has skyrocketed. I have been doing Keto anyway, so my body is already pretty much fat adapted, and this is just a little extra push for it.
I was not trying to tell anyone else what they should or shouldn’t eat, and one of the healthiest people on this forum is a complete vegan, so different things work for different people.
My DNA shows that I am a type that thrives on meat, and so I think that this is worth trying, for myself. The stories of everyday people who are getting healthier, and losing excess weight, are really motivating.
I wonder if we are in some of the same facebook groups, Bellesfleurs?
I sent you a friend request, by the way, since we seem to have read the same books, and share a lot of the same opinions about what is healthy .
I am in Alabama, so not even that far away geographically.
 
win231 said:
As far as I know, meat, dairy & eggs are the highest-protein foods. Nuts have protein but not as much as meat. So....how would someone increase protein without eating meat?
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Greek yogurt 23 grams per cup
Lentils 18 grams per cup
Cheese 8 to 10 grams per ounce
Beans ( chick peas, black beans ) 16 grams per cup
Cottage cheese 28 grams per cup
Hemp seeds 16 grams per 1/4 cup
Chia seeds 12 grams per 1/4 cup
Edamame beans 20 grams per cup
Green peas 8 grams per cup
Quinoa 8 grams per cup
Peanut butter 14 grams per 1/4 cup
Eggs 6 grams per large egg
Almonds 6 grams per ounce


There are LOTS of things to eat that are high in protein without eating meat. Combining foods like beans and rice create a complete protein. Spring greens contain plenty of protein. Tofu, nutritional, yeast, spelt & teff, seaweed spirulina, amaranth, Ezekiel bread or other sprouted breads, soy, oats, nut or seed butters.


Even vegetables contain protein. The highest being broccoli, spinach, asparagus, artichokes, sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts. They contain about 4 to 5 grams per cooked cup.


Fruits like berries, bananas, nectarines contain
up to 4 grams per cup.


There are plenty of protein solutions for every diet out there.
 
Keesha said:
Greek yogurt 23 grams per cup
Lentils 18 grams per cup
Cheese 8 to 10 grams per ounce
Beans ( chick peas, black beans ) 16 grams per cup
Cottage cheese 28 grams per cup
Hemp seeds 16 grams per 1/4 cup
Chia seeds 12 grams per 1/4 cup
Edamame beans 20 grams per cup
Green peas 8 grams per cup
Quinoa 8 grams per cup
Peanut butter 14 grams per 1/4 cup
Eggs 6 grams per large egg
Almonds 6 grams per ounce


There are LOTS of things to eat that are high in protein without eating meat. Combining foods like beans and rice create a complete protein. Spring greens contain plenty of protein. Tofu, nutritional, yeast, spelt & teff, seaweed spirulina, amaranth, Ezekiel bread or other sprouted breads, soy, oats, nut or seed butters.


Even vegetables contain protein. The highest being broccoli, spinach, asparagus, artichokes, sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts. They contain about 4 to 5 grams per cooked cup.


Fruits like berries, bananas, nectarines contain
up to 4 grams per cup.


There are plenty of protein solutions for every diet out there.
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As you posted, it is important to emphasize that just because a food contains protein, it is important to understand that there are foods that are incomplete proteins and those that contain complete proteins and one must learn which combinations make a complete protein that one must eat together at the same meal.
 
Speaking of protein....my step-daughter has been on the Keto diet for several months and has lost a lot of weight, which is a good thing. Last Sunday, she was over and said she is doing the Egg Fast for 5 days because she had reached a plateau and was stuck and hadn't lost anything for a while. She said she eats a minimum of 6 eggs a day and she can have string cheese and butter. She said this will "clean out" her liver and she said she was on Day 3 and had lost 5 lbs.

I was curious about this and did some research and, yes, people are doing this and losing weight...but there were also cautions for people that have had their gallbladders removed. Eggs contain a lot of fat and when you combine them with butter and cheese, you're consuming a lot of fat. I've had my gallbladder removed so I wouldn't even consider doing this. I was on The Adkins Diet years ago when my gallbladder gave out. Too much fat? Don't know but I'm very cautious about fats now.

There's a FB group (of course), for this Fast and I've been reading the posts. Several gals are having severe intestinal cramps, usually around the 3rd or 4th day.

My step-daughter will not eat ANY carbs whatsoever. We don't have Sunday dinner's like we use to because she can't/won't eat anything that has a carb in it. :(
 
Colleen...we manufactured foods for the Atkin's Diet for Atkins and trust me there were so many that did not do the diet according to Bob's book. It wasn't meant to be a "cheeseburger with no bun" diet...lol. Would certainly suggest they do Ketone testing if anyone I knew was on a Ketosis diet.
 
Colleen said:
Speaking of protein....my step-daughter has been on the Keto diet for several months and has lost a lot of weight, which is a good thing. Last Sunday, she was over and said she is doing the Egg Fast for 5 days because she had reached a plateau and was stuck and hadn't lost anything for a while. She said she eats a minimum of 6 eggs a day and she can have string cheese and butter. She said this will "clean out" her liver and she said she was on Day 3 and had lost 5 lbs.

I was curious about this and did some research and, yes, people are doing this and losing weight...but there were also cautions for people that have had their gallbladders removed. Eggs contain a lot of fat and when you combine them with butter and cheese, you're consuming a lot of fat. I've had my gallbladder removed so I wouldn't even consider doing this. I was on The Adkins Diet years ago when my gallbladder gave out. Too much fat? Don't know but I'm very cautious about fats now.

There's a FB group (of course), for this Fast and I've been reading the posts. Several gals are having severe intestinal cramps, usually around the 3rd or 4th day.

My step-daughter will not eat ANY carbs whatsoever. We don't have Sunday dinner's like we use to because she can't/won't eat anything that has a carb in it. :(
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It’s none of my business, nor did you ask., but this sounds more like an eating disorder than a healthy diet.
 
Keesha said:
It’s none of my business, nor did you ask., but this sounds more like an eating disorder than a healthy diet.
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Do you mean on my step-daughter's part? Knowing her mother's family's health history, I'm sure she's concerned at 45 that she's going to "inherit" these health issues as she gets older. I think she's trying to get into a healthier lifestyle and this seems to be working for her. She's also exercising and lifting weights 3x a week. However....her dad and I have some concerns about her choices about her healthcare....or should I say, lack of healthcare. She (and her brother) never go to a doctor...for anything. He's 49 (soon to be 50) and has never had a check-up. They don't believe in flu shots (and they both get the flu every year!) and she's never had a mammo or a bone density test. They both get bronchitis every year but never see a doctor. She's never had bloodwork done and a few years ago a doctor told her she should be on a cholesterol pill but she refuses to take anything.

My point is...she's smart about some things but not so smart about others. We've tried to tell them that they should at least get a flu shot every year but they said they're not going to put "poison" in their bodies. I guess it's up to them.
 
Yes your step daughter. I do understand that the keto diet DOES in fact work. My brother in law lost about 140 pounds on it but it’s not a diet to be on any longer than 6 months at a time. It should never be considered a lifestyle diet choice but rather a temporary way of eating in order to lose weight.

Cutting down on carbs or eating a Paleo diet permanently is considered a healthy diet choice for those who want to continue to lose weight and stay healthy.

The rest of the stuff I’m not qualified to comment on.
 
Keesha said:
Yes your step daughter. I do understand that the keto diet DOES in fact work. My brother in law lost about 140 pounds on it but it’s not a diet to be on any longer than 6 months at a time. It should never be considered a lifestyle diet choice but rather a temporary way of eating in order to lose weight.

Cutting down on carbs or eating a Paleo diet permanently is considered a healthy diet choice for those who want to continue to lose weight and stay healthy.

The rest of the stuff I’m not qualified to comment on.
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I agree with you that Keto should not be a permanent solution but, in her case, she will do what she wants to do. We don't try to "tell" her anything.

Sorry...didn't mean to get off on a tangent. I was just pointing out that she's got a mind of her own and doesn't take advice from anyone.
 
Colleen said:
I agree with you that Keto should not be a permanent solution but, in her case, she will do what she wants to do. We don't try to "tell" her anything.

Sorry...didn't mean to get off on a tangent. I was just pointing out that she's got a mind of her own and doesn't take advice from anyone.
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No worries. You don’t want me going off on a tangent. :laugh:
Its probably a smart idea not to get involved and do exactly what you’ve been doing all along.
Keep the peace !:love_heart:
 
Try O'Dough's Everything Bagel Thins! They're delicious.
Put Kite's Cream Cheese on them (dairy-free made with almonds)
They're have the volume of regular bagels. Also Gluten-Free and only 100 calories.
You get 6 for about 4.75
OH OOPS...there's 20 grams of carbs
Everything-bagel-thin.jpg
 
hypochondriac...there are online sites that sell some very good low carb favorite foods like bread and pasta alternatives. We manufactured low carb products and quite honestly, most of the time would rather have them than the high carb ones. Just check it out and you'll be able to expand your daily food choices and not your waist...lol.
 
Colleen said:
LOL...hubby and I love pasta and I love making bread, so going low carb would be a challenge, for sure, for us :(
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Same here! When trying to lose weight I don't crave cake or other desserts, I crave bread. And I enjoy making bread and admiring that loaf after it's baked. It's my ''once a week sinful treat".

Do you have a favorite recipe, link please?
 
PVC said:
Same here! When trying to lose weight I don't crave cake or other desserts, I crave bread. And I enjoy making bread and admiring that loaf after it's baked. It's my ''once a week sinful treat".

Do you have a favorite recipe, link please?
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I often make a no-knead bread that I bake in my cast-iron skillet. It has a nice crust and beautiful texture inside. My husband loves it especially when I make it into olive bread....which is so good with pasta!! LOL . I also like to make it without olives and throw in parmesan cheese and Italian spices or whatever strikes me. It always comes out perfect.

Here's the link: https://diethood.com/no-knead-skillet-olive-bread/
 
Keesha said:
Yes your step daughter. I do understand that the keto diet DOES in fact work. My brother in law lost about 140 pounds on it but it’s not a diet to be on any longer than 6 months at a time. It should never be considered a lifestyle diet choice but rather a temporary way of eating in order to lose weight.

Cutting down on carbs or eating a Paleo diet permanently is considered a healthy diet choice for those who want to continue to lose weight and stay healthy.

The rest of the stuff I’m not qualified to comment on.
Click to expand...

You have illustrated exactly why diets don't work in the long term. A diet is a short-term solution to a life-long problem.
 
Think those veggie things wouldn't really satisfy a "true noodle head"...better to get a low carb noodle - they are way better in both the taste and chew factor.
 
I often mix them, 3/4 zoodles, 1/4 Banza chickpea pasta. I cook the pasta as directed,lightly saute the zoodles in a tiny bit of olive oil, then combine them and add sauce. Very tasty and satisfying.
 


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