Question about the Keto diet. Is it healthy or a fad?

Posted by sailor1750 @sailor1750, Jan 19, 2020

Keto diet....No fruit,no veggies from below ground: beef,pork,fish and fat....Is it healthy or a fad?

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Aug 9, 2022

In reply to @cekkk "May I ask what replaced the metformin?" + (show)

Amlodipine, Glipizide and an increase in the Trulicity dose. Glipizide is adjusted by him based on current blood sugar trend (within physician prescribed range.)
This is working for now. He has had diabetes for almost 30 years and still manages it with daily monitoring. Has had no effect on vision, but is beginning to have some neuropathy even though his A1C has always been well managed near or below 7.0. His CKD ( and possibly the neuropathy) are inherited, not caused by diabetes. The chronic kidney disease wavers between stages 3a & 3b, he is very careful about diet - exercise - meh, not so much.

Sue

callalloo | @callalloo | Aug 10, 2022

In reply to @sailor1750 "Thank You young Lady....One final question,peanut butter:yes or no???" + (show)

I'm willing to make big changes in my food regime but butter stays on the program. Not oodles of it slathered on stuff but enough Kerrygold or President (from France) to make its presence noticed and appreciated.

imallears | @imallears | Aug 10, 2022

In reply to @callalloo "I'm willing to make big changes in my food regime but butter stays on the program...." + (show)

@callalloo

I hear you. Organic butter and olive oil ...can't beat that combo for sauteing. And a glass of Vino and chocolate at night. Also my coffee in the morning. Will never give any of those up. Eating healthy should be fun. No need to go crazy....and I love to eat...makes me happy lol.

FL Mary

Bon appetite

mtg1 | @mtg1 | Jan 18, 2023

I have been on the keto diet for 6 weeks. My Triglycerides are down to 60 and my HDL has risen from 36 to 44. However my LDL has gone to over 200. From websites I go to they say that my HDL to triglycerides is the most important factor in determining heart health and they say mine is around 1.3 which is very good. They say the LDL is the big fluffy king and is not dangerous, so therefore ignore it. I feel great on Keto. But these sites are very pro Keto diet. I was wondering if the Mayo Clinic had an opinion of this.

catmomma | @catmomma | Jan 19, 2023

I am a patient on this site-but I have a master's in nutrition. We don't recommend keto diet to people (kids with seizures are an exception)-all the protein is hard on the kidneys, all the fat is hard on the liver and it can also increase the cholesterol.

That being said, some have found it very helpful for weight loss without the effects I have mentioned-over time, the risk increases of said effects.

If you're looking at diet for weight loss, Mediterranean diet is wonderful for that. Mediterranean diet can help a variety of things-diabetes, cholesterol, it's even been shown to help depression.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/mediterranean-diet/art-20047801
Best of luck to you!

Jerry | @jerryegge | Jan 19, 2023

In reply to @catmomma "I am a patient on this site-but I have a master's in nutrition. We don't recommend..." + (show)

Hello, I’ve been on the Mediterranean Diet since my surgery a years ago. I switched to it as a good way to keep my PSA low. It’s has done wonders, and I’ve been able to avoid radiation and hormone therapy for a spot of cancer detected in one lymph node.
In addition, I’ve mixed in fair amount of exercise. Hope this helps you with your decision.

catmomma | @catmomma | Jan 19, 2023

In reply to @jerryegge "Hello, I’ve been on the Mediterranean Diet since my surgery a years ago. I switched to..." + (show)

I'm so glad it has worked out so well for you-the people in the area of the Mediterranean have the best longevity-and it's not just how long they live-but their quality of life.

Wishing you all the best.

patriciacb | @patriciacb | Jan 21, 2023

In reply to @imallears "@sailor1750 I’m going to jump in here and echo @lioness and @jodeej The Mediterranean diet is..." + (show)

@imallears

@sailor1750
I’m going to jump in here and echo @lioness and @jodeej

The Mediterranean diet is probably one of the most sensible diets around and is plant based, not meat based. The trick is to eat less red meat , more fish and fowl although you can certainly have red meat . Any vegetable you prefer and are able to eat is what you should be eating more of. Beans and nuts and grains are emphasized . However, I attribute a lot of weight gain or inability to lose weight to WHEAT. Anything with white flour is best not eaten or occasionally eaten. I personally follow a somewhat gluten free /Mediterranean meal plan with very little starches like potatoes and bread. I don’t eat beans which is somewhat paleo style.
I don’t eat processed foods like cold cuts.
I’ve never had a weight problem but I have eliminated the belly bloat that white flour causes by rarely eating it and have lowered my carb intake to no more than one a day...and I have eliminated most dairy
The space on your Mediterranean food plate should be taken up by vegetables and then a small lean protein side.

I don’t deprive myself at all. I enjoy my occasional pizza and whole grain sandwich with tuna or salmon salad and cheesecake and filet mignon. I don’t count calories myself but my think athletic daughter does....don’t know why.
You should research several diets and take the best from all of them. Fried foods are just not good for you and not necessary.
I personally feel the best I have ever felt in my 78 years on this planet and have been attending the gym and tweaking my diet since I retired 6 hrs ago actually 10 lbs less at a steady 108-110..5ft 7... Cutting out wheat products was the biggie .

You’ll be doing your gut an enormous favor not to mention your heart, lungs, eyes and ears, and you will feel a difference in a short time. I enjoy cooking and don’t miss anything...but if I crave a luscious juicy hamburger with the fixings..I’ll have one and then I’m done for a while.

You’ll find something that works for you but invest in a little online research first and maybe a cookbook or two. By all means enjoy what you eat......and substitute the word “diet” for “eating lifestyle”.

FL Mary

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I agree 100%. The Mediterranean way of eating is by far the most fulfilling and sustainable for me. After doing Keto for about three weeks (eliminating most carbs, eating only enough protein to meet daily needs, no fruit) I was able to break my lifelong addiction to sugar and processed foods. Now I will switch to the Mediterranean plan. I try to aim for the most nutrient-dense foods such as vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, whole grains (but not much), fish, foul, and red meat only if I crave it (which is not very often.)

callalloo | @callalloo | Jan 28, 2023

In reply to @mtg1 "I have been on the keto diet for 6 weeks. My Triglycerides are down to 60..." + (show)

Which websites are stating that LDL 'is the big fluffy' kind and 'not dangerous'? How can any website say that since the molecular size of cholesterol varies from person to person and even over time.

That is, it depends upon the type of cholesterol that one's own body makes. LDL is considered the bad cholesterol which most cardiologists worry about seeing increase. If, in fact, LDL were all large non-sticky molecules, they would want us to make lots more of it and that is not the case.

klm3 | @klm3 | Feb 11, 2023

Hi Everyone,

I am new this group and glanced over most saying or have questions about the Mediterranean diet. For me, it was a simpler transition to the diet because it was what I grew up with with my Italian Grandparents. From a religion prospective its like eating lent food - just daily, if that helps anyone. Here is an image that may help people out. BTW... the Keto diet makes absolutely no sense to me - if it works for you great but I feel there are better options.

Update: I could not upload the image and since I'm new I cannot share the link, lol. It is on the Cleveland clinic website and it is article 16037 - Mediterranean diet. That should help one google it, if you would like to check it out.