Is a low carb diet the best weight loss plan?

[left-of-center2012]

I made a mistake in an earlier thread and posted
"High carb diet" when I met to say a low carb.

[Kali]

1. No

It can work well for some people. However the most sustainable and successful weight loss programs are changing the way you eat entirely and permanently. This is most easily done in small steps over longer periods of time. Diets and Magic Bullets do not work permanently.

[Scrivener7]

2. My sister has lost 50 lbs in 9 months with Keto which is a low carb.

I'm trying it. I've lost weight, but I'm terrified about what it's doing to my cholesterol. I think I'll try it for 2 months and then ask my doc for a blood test.

[left-of-center2012]

3. Can you suggest a good link to a keto diet?

I'd like to look at it
Thanks

[Scrivener7]

5. This gives an overview

https://www.menwithkids.com/the-beginners-guide-to-the-keto-diet/?keyword=keto%20diet&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=US%20Traffic&utm_term=keto%20diet&utm_content=The%20Beginner%E2%80%99s%20Guide%20to%20the%20Keto%20Diet

Then I use the site FatSecret to track calories and carbs. I'm still watching calories, just because I feel like I need to.

There are a ton of Keto recipes out there too. You need to make sure you get enough fat each day!

[Ocelot II]

10. I lost 60 since the pandemic started.

You cholesterol should be ok if you avoid trans fats, which are the ones most likely to cause problems. These are liquid oils that have been turned into solid fats, like shortening or margarine, and are mostly found in processed and packaged foods. They tend to raise your LDL (bad) cholesterol and lower your HDL (good) cholesterol, so should be avoided as much as possible. Other fats are ok in moderation and are an important part of a keto diet. If you are concerned of course you should get your cholesterol checked.

[Scrivener7]

11. Your cholesterol has stayed OK? I'm doing so much cream and butter

to get my fat calories in, it does worry me.

Other than that, it is a really pleasant diet!

[Ocelot II]

12. I haven't had it checked lately - I should but I've been avoiding

non-emergency medical visits for obvious reasons. But I try to get most fat from food like avocados, salmon and nuts. I do eat some red meat but not a lot, so it should be ok.

[Scrivener7]

13. Thanks. Midnight Writer, below, says theirs went down significantly.

If mine goes up significantly when I get the blood test in a few months, I'll PM you.

[Ocelot II]

14. Thanks!

[Tree Lady]

17. I started a sugar detox program

Back in September and I think about that too with all the fat and meat they encourage you to eat. Once I got off all forms of sugar I have been trying to cut down on nuts, cheese, sweet potatoes, etc

I have lost 15 lbs but I only needed to lose 22. I have been maintaining for the last month knowing I have to cut more carbs to loose the rest.

I have an appt in April and going to ask for tests to see how it's affecting my liver, cholesterol and sugar levels.

I started it because my blood pressure was getting higher and not going down when they increased meds.

A few months of no sugar and flour products and my blood pressure is pretty low. They might have to decrease now.

[Midnight Writer]

4. Works for me.

When I went low carb, I was surprised how much my stubbornly high cholesterol dropped.

Excess carbs are digested quickly and much of it is turned into cholesterol. Over the last three years, my cholesterol went from the low 200s down to 132 on my last test.

I try to work in elements of the DASH diet and Mediterranean diet. I eat lots of white meat chicken and turkey for protein, whole grain breads and nuts for fiber, and stay away from sugar best I can.

[left-of-center2012]

7. I thought breads were bad

Last edited Mon Jan 10, 2022, 04:55 PM - Edit history (1)

Don't they have a lot of carbs?

[Midnight Writer]

8. Moderation. For example, the whole grain bun I use has 10% of FDA daily limit of carbs.

So eating one or two a day is not a big deal. I go for low carb, not no carb.

So, for supper this evening I will have a chicken breast on a whole grain bun with cheese.

25 grams of protein for the chicken, 6 grams of protein for the bun, 6 grams of protein for the cheese, for a total of 37 grams of protein. Also zero carbs for the chicken, zero carbs for the cheese, 29 grams of carbs and 6 grams of fiber for the bun, so a total of 29 grams of carbs. Some folks subtract the fiber from the carbs. I'm not sure if that is valid, so I don't do it.

My daily goal is at least 85 grams of protein, 20 grams of fiber, less than 200 grams of carbs. I also limit sugar to 40 grams per day.

Rule of thumb to maintain your muscle mass is your weight in pounds, divided by 2, equals the grams of protein you need. I weigh 170 pounds, I am happy with that, so I shoot for 85 grams of protein a day.

Aren't you sorry you asked?

[left-of-center2012]

9. Thanks

not sorry

[Tree Lady]

18. The processed flour in any type of bread

Even the so called healthy ones turn to sugar in your body.

I have been off all sugar and flour products last 4 months and I really feel the difference. I plan to start adding in Ezekiel bread few times a week soon (made with sprouts and you keep in freezer). Right now I eat steel cut oats with blueberries no sweetener few times a week.

I might go back eventually to this healthy spelt bread from a organic bakery with only 4 ingredients no sugar. It doesn't last long either, they say longer a bread lasts less healthy it is because of whatever they used to preserve it including sugar. But would use that very sparingly also.

I love bread especially french bread but I see now what it has done to my body over the years.

[left-of-center2012]

19. "Ezekiel bread"

Yes, I like those.

[Bayard]

6. I lost 30 lbs in the past year with low carb

But gained back 5 lbs on xmas cookies. Time to get back to it!

[Shanti Shanti Shanti]

16. I lost 100 lbs in 8 months on low carb, keto/Paleo meal planning, never hungry, no cravings, works

Lots of fresh green veggies, some fruits nuts seeds berries and lots of non-fat Greek yogurt. Lean meats, fish, shellfish

No processed grains of any kind

Eggs are ok.

LDL went from 200 to 70. A1c 5.0

And my air fryer, lol, only cooking fat is spritz of olive, avocado oil

Soda stream, plain bubbly water, love my bubbles