Is Keto less calorie-focused?

[OoohYes]

Almost two years ago, I started a strict low-calorie, low fat, high protein diet.

I’ve lost just over 9st and have another stone to go.

However, I’ve plateaued. I’ve been eating <1,300kcals/day to lose weight and my motivation is definitely waning.

My doctor has recommended a keto diet- high fat and protein, no/low sugar and carbs.

I’m willing to try it as the research shows it should show results and might reset my mindset somewhat. I will miss bread terribly, though.

For those in the know, does Keto give good results even if you’re at a higher calorie level daily? Just trying to plan and it’s hard to factor in suitable amounts of high-fat foods in such small amounts of calories.

But then that goes against everything I’ve ever learned about dieting- surely the simple mathematical equation of more calories burned than eaten is what dictates weightloss, regardless of where those calories come from?

Day 14 was a write-off.

Started well with coffee for breakfast and yogurt with chia and seeds for lunch, but went downhill after that. Went out with friends and I had a charcuterie board which was keto, but then I decided to have one piece of bread. I don’t know if it was a psychological reaction of some sort (over-hyping it in my head) but I got so sick! Really unwell straight away and ended up getting sick in the restaurant toilets.

Felt better after that but didn’t eat anymore. Sank half a bottle of wine though after not having any alcohol for about four weeks. And now in an empty stomach after being sick. Not my brightest idea.

After dinner we moved on to a cocktail bar and I basically went feral with sweet spritzes and cocktails.

So yesterday was basically sugar with some carbs and too much alcohol. Suffering today- mainly my stomach, weirdly.

Oh well, back to the grind for day 15.

If it’s keto sweet treats your after have a look at web sites like Big man’s world, wholesome yum and sweet as honey. I used to make carrot cake/lemon and blueberry cake/scones etc then freeze into individual portions.

Buying almond flour in bigger volumes on line worked out cheaper for me and I used to use xylitol . I used to make keto granola too which was amazing!

Never however found a good bread substitute. There was one from Zoe which is nice but nothing like ‘real’ bread

That’s interesting, a friend of mine discovered she was coeliac because she did the Atkins diet, and when she lapsed and ate bread or pasta it made her very poorly. Something to do with your body reacting much more strongly once you’ve cut it out I think.

Hope you’re feeling better today

Same! I made a homemade keto bread and it was disgusting. Tried a keto bread packet mix (that cost about £7 ) and it was worse- dense, inedible, and smelled of fish.

Theres keto bread available, not as good as the real thing but definitely helps the withdrawal! I buy this one
https://srslylowcarb.com/products/keto-and-low-carb-bread
42 cals a slice and 0.7 g of carbs, 4.4 g protein
Lighter cream cheese are super low calorie too and are a good substitute for butter, sauces and spreads.
Keto definitely doesn't have to be high calorie.

Thank you. My stomach has felt off all day. Just crampy and bloated. It really was a very small amount of bread though, so might just be coincidence. Or the alcohol!

Did another test today and, while I’m not in such deep ketosis after last night’s over indulgence (tested about 21 hours after my last cocktail), I am in active ketosis which I’m happy about because being too high isn’t ideal longer term.

I’ve had another small serving of bread today- want to see if my stomach feels sore tomorrow too, and went to see if tomorrow’s test shows I can up my carb levels a little. It was a small piece homemade sourdough from the freezer that I toasted- apparently frozen sourdough had a slightly lower GI.

Anyway, day 15.

Breakfast-
Coffee with almond milk.

Lunch-
Cheese salad with rocket, kale, lettuce, small amount of red pepper, and pumpkin seeds.

Dinner-
Omelette with some mushrooms, nduja, spinach, provolone, with a piece of buttered sourdough toast.
Then I swiped a sausage off my husband when he wasn’t looking- M&S so a really nice gluten free sausage that’s very low carb and high fibre.

Ran out of my vitamin drink so didn’t have that, must order more.

Snack-
Iced latte with almond milk
A keto chocolate/hazelnut wafer.
The discovery of some keto-friendly chocolate bars/biscuits has been a lifesaver. I know they’re not very healthy, but they definitely make the day more manageable.

Cals- 1,220
Carbs- 20g
Fat- 101g
Protein- 60g
Fibre- 8g

Bit low on protein. Must up it tomorrow.

Day 16

I was ravenous today. Woke up hungry which isn’t like me.

Breakfast-
Coffee with almond milk

Lunch-
Two sausages, two fried eggs.

Dinner-
A massive salad that would do any Mumsnetter proud. Chicken, broccoli, kale, lettuce, roasted mushrooms, little bit of hummus, spicy pumpkin seeds, olive oil and lemon dressing.

Snacks-
A packet of those M&S protein chorizo “crisps” (basically, thin slices of air dried chorizo).
A keto chocolate bar for later with a cup of tea.

1,410kcals
96g fat
21g carbs
125g protein
15g protein

Bit higher on the cals than I’d ideally like, but not bad.

That’s a good day, if you were hungry you may have needed the extra calories so I wouldn’t worry about it.

I can’t decide if I like those M&S chorizo crisps, but, they work in a pinch!