To say that the keto (or low carb) diet is the most boring diet ever?

[Liveonyournerves]

I'm post menopausal and trying to shed the last 7lbs against bitter odds.

It's been suggested to me that I need to cut my already low carb diet to a Keto to see results.

Good god, it's dull. Dull, dull, dull.

Am I alone in thinking this?

I've not even lost any weight on it!

How about some nice cheese to cheer yourself up? Boiled egg??

I refuse to think eating a lot of cheese is a good idea, whatever the diet!

Who suggested this to you? People tend to be evangelical about particular diets don’t they? That in itself is a whole new world of boring. I’ve done quite a few diets... paleo ( boring & time consuming) and too many others to go into. Although I have not done keto i imagine it’s a bit like Atkins which I have done. So yes - very very boring. ( I’m low carb and low calorie at the moment so I sympathise... I’ve got this stomach pooch that won’t go away). I’m not going to say you need to do anything because you probably look fantastic and I hate myself for perpetuating this but my mum has had great success on the blood sugar diet - 800 calories. It wouldn’t take long if you can hack it for a short time.

I'm vegetarian and really struggled with Keto. In fact I can no longer eat any kind of meat substitute like Quorn, and it made me feel really poorly. I can safely say that it's not for me!

I do much better with 16/8 and intermittent fasting. And my blood sugars are much more stable - T2 diabetic.

Well, 16:8 and under 1000 cals of v low carb has sorted me out by 2 stone. I lost 8lb in 2 weeks ... not bored.

Boring in what way? How is it a hardship to leave the boiled potatoes, rice and pasta off your plate and replace them with veggies?

@travailtotravel that's amazing! Well done!!

Personally I can't get on board with eliminating carbs completely, I'm happy to reduce them but getting rid is too much. Having said that there are some more interesting Keto recipes out there but you have to spend a bit of time on the prep.

I do really enjoy asparagus spears dipped in runny egg, or green beans and tender stem broccoli roasted with oil and garlic.

Spicy scrambled eggs with spring onions, chilli and hot sauce is a nice breakfast or lunch.

Steamed sugarsnap peas, baby corn, mushrooms and green beans with a tsp of real butter, salt and pepper served with ham or sliced chicken breast makes a quick tasty lunch and you can have loads to fill you up.

Oh bloody hell it’s awful @Liveonyournerves 😂😂 We’ve tried it before, both for weight loss plus it’s also supposed to be good for people with epilepsy (me). We only lasted about 10 days and then went back to calorie counting. My Fitness Pal is your friend.

Same as 14:46BigPaperBag . Lasted a couple of weeks and lost 2lbs, ok as I'm close to goal weight, but found it so hard. Hot sick of having cream/cheese/meat etc and missed pulses and fruit. Did mfp and lost 10lbs in about 10weeks, so same rate of weight loss and easier to cope with.

The problem is post menopause, you become much more insulin resistant, so carbs are not your friends AT ALL. I have always had a really good diet, really 'clean', but to not be able to have any carbs, even healthy ones, is seriously hard.

I think i'll have a different approach

I'm post menopause and have no problem losing weight and still eating cars, though admittedly smaller portions than I used to.

Carbs🥖 not cars 🚓

Stupid phone.

I managed for a day😂
But I am carbs for life girl.

It's such hard work to make meals without carbs! It basically cuts out every quick and easy option... urgh, I could never do it!

Sorry, unhelpful, lol.

What I see recommended most is to have a meal plan of the following:

3 meals per day
3 carb portions
3 protein portions
5+ fruit and veg (but no more than 2 fruit)
1 sweet max

If you do this, so long as you're mindful about portion sizes and healthier choices (like, don't eat 3 burgers for your 3 portions of protein and carbs) you should max out at ca. 1500 calories. It is possible to consume far less calories also with this plan and still feel satisfied. But be really strong about no snacks, ever!

Just my pomelo last night was just under 30g of carb🙈

I think low-carb is fine and I find it quite easy. I combine it with 16:8 eating, which seems to really work for me and has never felt difficult.
I tried keto for a bit but really struggled with it because if you are being strict, even carbs in healthy veg count towards your allowance. You end up being (IMO) over-reliant on meat and dairy, which made me feel a bit ill. I prefer to cut out red meat and most dairy, stick to fish and veggie meals, and small amounts of pulses/grains a couple of times a week.
Keto really does work for some people though, but it’s not for everyone.

Carbs are not only delicious, they are good for your digestion. And I'm post menopausal (56) and have no trouble maintaining my weight (at a BMI of around 20/21). Calorie counting means you can eat a varied diet without cutting out food groups.

Prawn cocktail
Prawns with avocado
Steak with mushrooms in garlic butter, salad
Eggs and bacon
Pan-fried smoked cod, fried duck egg
Sheek kebabs (minced lamb, fresh coriander, chillies, spices, made into sausage shapes, baked), yoghurt and mint dip
Cajun-spiced chicken breast with peppers and mushrooms
Smoked salmon and scrambled eggs
Smoked mackerel paté (smoked mackerel mixed with cream cheese, lemon juice, horseradish, salt and pepper) in lettuce wraps
Moussaka, using cream, eggs and grated cheese for the topping - no flour necessary
Chicken tikka kebabs
Pan fried halibut on a bed of creamed celeriac, with crispy oven-baked kale
Field mushrooms stuffed with chopped pepperoni and olives, topped with mozzarella
Calves' liver and bacon, with mushrooms
Crustless quiche - so many different things to add it's not worth me listing them, but smoked salmon and asparagus is one option
Eggs Benedict on a field mushroom instead of a muffin
Spiced baked salmon, salad
Lamb chops marinated in olive oil garlic and rosemary, with broccoli
Pork belly slices with Chinese 5 spice, served with stir-fried beansprouts (soy sauce, chilli flakes)

I'm off out now (else I'd continue) - but just wanted to make the point that low carb doesn't have to mean boring!

@fishonabicycle - do you maintain your weight by counting calories? Do you do a lot of exercise? Have you seen a difference in difficulty to lose weight?

SORRY. Lots of post meno questions

@inextremis - I can do all those meals often, but not all the time and it's so much meat, fish or diary

You need to be clever with it to do it long term. Make smart swaps. What did you used to eat and enjoy and let’s see if we can Keto it up for you?

It's more interesting than paleo.

@ConnieCaterpillar70

I'm vegetarian and really struggled with Keto. In fact I can no longer eat any kind of meat substitute like Quorn, and it made me feel really poorly. I can safely say that it's not for me!

I do much better with 16/8 and intermittent fasting. And my blood sugars are much more stable - T2 diabetic.

I don’t think you know what a keto diet is if you were substituting Quorn for meat...

I’m Diabetic so have to eat low carb - initially I found it really interesting to find different things to eat, and now it’s just second nature. As a side effect it’s been so much better for my IBS as well.