Anyone doing keto?

[Anonanon12]

Hi, I'm having a blood test for sugar levels next week but I'm expecting to be told I have type 2 or will develop it soon as I have pcos and had type 2 in pregnancy recently. My Dad also has type 2 so I have decided to try and tackle my diet now, I have such a sweet tooth and not much will power 😩

I think eliminating carbs (bread, pasta, rice and potatoes etc.) is best but I'm tempted to go Keto for lots of olive oil, nuts and meat to keep me satisfied.
Although years ago in my late teens I was told I had high fat lipids but I haven't been tested since, although my diet is better than my teen years, I'm a bit worried about keto and cholesterol... Can anyone reassure me on this that keto will be healthier than following my carb heavy diet now?

In general cholesterol improves on a low carb diet. It's a commonly held myth that eating fat increases fat in the blood.

Insulin which is triggered by sugar in the blood is the hormone that turns glucose into fat when you eat glucose as too much sugar in the blood is toxic. Read up on this process I recommend. Low carb diets can increase the good cholesterol so if you only get a simple blood test not a full panel it can be misleading.

This isn't universal however so I would keep an eye on it. Low carb diets are beginning to be recognised by diabetes societies now as a way to cure it which is great. If you want some support with the diet cone and join us on the low carb bootcamp thread. We are in week 3 but always welcome new people.

Thank you, I will find that group!
I guess I need to try and get out of my head the years of conflicting advice that fat = high cholesterol and eat more carbs, less fat. I actually was eating wholemeal carbs and lots of veg and meat but I think even the wholemeal carbs and potato might need to go as I tend to suffer with low sugar level dips so I think the carbs make me crash, irrelevant of where they come from.
One other thing I'm interested in is the effect of sweeteners and if they can cause an insulin response as I drink quite a bit of coke zero instead of eating sugar but I don't think that helps my cravings. Am going to try and quit it anyway as I'm sure it isn't doing me any good, but will get going on the keto first and then kick that habit.
I've known for years I need to address my risk but have been putting it off! Covid has made me think again about my increased risk, the only good thing to come of this pandemic!

If you are diagnosed with type 2 I really recommend getting a meter even if you have to self fund. We are all a bit different and some people spike more than others with carbs and sweetness. If you have a meter you can see the impact of what you eat.
I have found that since I have gone low carb my blood sugars are now in the normal range, I have lost weight and I can tolerate a little more carbs (but can never go back to what I used to eat!). I think it is important to have a diet you can sustain long term as type 2 is going to be with you forever....and yes eating high fat after years of “it’s bad for you” is tricky to shake off!

You should have a look at the Diet Doctor website which promotes low carb diets (including keto but also more liberal low carb regimes). I’ve found it incredibly useful and as well as recipes it has lots of articles and info about the science/nutrition side of things - including things like the impact of the different types of sweetener on blood sugar.
Personally, I found strict keto a little difficult as I’m not naturally a big meat/dairy eater, but I’ve settled into a moderate low carb regime which suits me really well and I haven’t found it difficult to maintain at all. The first week or two is maybe a bit tricky as you are effectively detoxing from carbs, but that soon passes and I’ve certainly got much more energy.