I Stopped Doing the Keto Diet. I Now Do This

What is the Keto Diet?

A ketogenic or keto diet is a type of diet that requires you to consume very little carbohydrates to help burn fat.

Our bodies break down carbohydrates into sugar, also known as glucose, and when the body needs fuel, it relies on glucose for energy to keep the body running.

With the keto diet on the other hand, the body uses fat instead of glucose for energy and consequently, the fat burning process increases where people can lose large amounts of weight.  

Although it’s regarded as a controversial way to diet and lose weight, many people have seen proven results on a keto based diet.

Why I Started the Keto Diet?

I came across a documentary on Netflix called “The Magic Pill,” which suggests that more people should consider being on a low carb, high fat-diet because our society currently eats food that mainly consists of processed foods, large amounts of carbohydrates, sugar, sweeteners, and artificial preservatives.

As a result, eating a high-card diet has led to many people being overweight or obese with serious medical conditions and diseases; some of which are life threatening.

I found the information in the documentary to be compelling and it made a lot of sense to me. Wanting to improve the way I eat and cut down on my carbohydrate intake, I began the keto diet.

How Long was I on the Keto Diet?

I was on the keto diet for at least three (3) months, but the restricted carbohydrates I was eating was not strict enough to the point where my body went into ketosis (you see the massive weight loss when the body is in a state of ketosis).

Therefore, I didn’t experience any noticeable weight loss, but then again, I really wasn’t looking to lose weight. I simply wanted to eat a little healthier.

What I Liked About the Keto Diet?

I liked how I was more mindful about the amount of processed food and carbohydrates I was eating in a day. I now pay a bit more attention to the number of net carbs in food and will pass if I find that the amount of carbohydrates in a single food item is too high.

Why I Stopped Being on the Keto Diet?

Personally, I found it too restrictive because I do like my breads, rice, yams, honey, OJ, certain fruits, and certain vegetables that grow below the ground, as well as nuts, beans, and legumes which are all foods typically avoided on the keto diet.

When I snack in between meals, I generally reach for an apple, banana, orange, or grapes, and I like to snack on mixed nuts; especially almonds and walnuts. These food items are higher in net carbs and so, I really couldn’t eat these foods as a snack if I wanted to adhere to the keto diet.

The way I see it, if I am in the mood to eat carbs like a muffin, pizza, pasta, or rice and beans, I am going to eat it and not feel guilty or feel like I’m “cheating” on my diet.

In my personal experience, when it comes to losing and maintaining weight, moderation and being attentive of my daily caloric intake works best for me. Plus, I regularly exercise, with HIIT workouts being my favorite, and I walk my dog twice per day, which helps to burn calories and keep my body fit.

I Do This Instead

Instead of completely doing the keto diet, I now practice eating a low-carb diet, but not necessarily high-fat diet, where for the most part, I try to eat the bigger carbs I like to eat at one meal. To ensure I don’t consume too many carbohydrates in one sitting, I plan my meals every day.

For instance, if I want to have rice, pasta, yams, or potatoes at dinner, I plan out what I am going to eat for breakfast, lunch, and my snacks the night before. I always plan my dinner the night before because dinner is the heaviest meal in the day for me.

Therefore, knowing what healthy meals I am going to eat for breakfast and lunch makes it much easier for me to stay within a low-carb diet.

On top of eating mainly one carb per day and meal planning, I also do intermittent fasting, which I like a lot due to the discipline of not always putting food into my mouth. Do I do intermittent fasting every day?

No.

However, when I do, I try to do it at least 4-5 days per week. If I miss a day, I don’t beat myself up about it. I just simply fast on the following day.

Should You Try the Keto Diet?

It depends.

Have others diets not work for you to lose weight? Are you looking to cut back on carbohydrates?

Or do you want to make a permanent lifestyle change to improve how you eat by ridding processed food, sugar, and large amounts of carbs from your diet?

Again, the keto diet is controversial, and some health and fitness professionals even claim it’s dangerous.

Then again, if you have a lot of weight to lose and want to try the keto diet to see if it can finally help, I say go for it, but ONLY AFTER you consulted with your doctor since certain health related issues can worsen if on the keto diet.

If you do decide to try the keto diet, I don’t recommend staying on this diet plan forever. Instead, once you get down to your target weight, be committed to eating healthier as a lifestyle choice, and if it fits your needs, adopt a low-carb diet plan.

Basically, be sure to do your research and then decide if the keto diet is right for you.

Music for “I Stopped Doing the Keto Diet. Now I Do This” Video

Artist: Dan Lebowitz
Track: Fugetaboutit
Genre: Rock | Funky
Duration: 2:32

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-Tanisa

 

 

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