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Is a low carb diet the best weight loss plan? (Original Post) left-of-center2012 Jan 2022 OP
No Kali Jan 2022 #1
My sister has lost 50 lbs in 9 months with Keto which is a low carb. Scrivener7 Jan 2022 #2
Can you suggest a good link to a keto diet? left-of-center2012 Jan 2022 #3
This gives an overview Scrivener7 Jan 2022 #5
I lost 60 since the pandemic started. Ocelot II Jan 2022 #10
Your cholesterol has stayed OK? I'm doing so much cream and butter Scrivener7 Jan 2022 #11
I haven't had it checked lately - I should but I've been avoiding Ocelot II Jan 2022 #12
Thanks. Midnight Writer, below, says theirs went down significantly. Scrivener7 Jan 2022 #13
Thanks! Ocelot II Jan 2022 #14
I started a sugar detox program Tree Lady Jan 2022 #17
Works for me. Midnight Writer Jan 2022 #4
I thought breads were bad left-of-center2012 Jan 2022 #7
Moderation. For example, the whole grain bun I use has 10% of FDA daily limit of carbs. Midnight Writer Jan 2022 #8
Thanks left-of-center2012 Jan 2022 #9
The processed flour in any type of bread Tree Lady Jan 2022 #18
"Ezekiel bread" left-of-center2012 Jan 2022 #19
I lost 30 lbs in the past year with low carb Bayard Jan 2022 #6
Post removed Post removed Jan 2022 #15
I lost 100 lbs in 8 months on low carb, keto/Paleo meal planning, never hungry, no cravings, works Shanti Shanti Shanti Jan 2022 #16

Kali

(55,687 posts)
1. No
Mon Jan 10, 2022, 12:27 PM
Jan 2022

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

(52,397 posts)
2. My sister has lost 50 lbs in 9 months with Keto which is a low carb.
Mon Jan 10, 2022, 12:48 PM
Jan 2022

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.

Ocelot II

(120,150 posts)
10. I lost 60 since the pandemic started.
Tue Jan 11, 2022, 03:48 PM
Jan 2022

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

(52,397 posts)
11. Your cholesterol has stayed OK? I'm doing so much cream and butter
Tue Jan 11, 2022, 03:51 PM
Jan 2022

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

Other than that, it is a really pleasant diet!

Ocelot II

(120,150 posts)
12. I haven't had it checked lately - I should but I've been avoiding
Tue Jan 11, 2022, 03:54 PM
Jan 2022

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

(52,397 posts)
13. Thanks. Midnight Writer, below, says theirs went down significantly.
Tue Jan 11, 2022, 03:58 PM
Jan 2022

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

Tree Lady

(12,176 posts)
17. I started a sugar detox program
Sat Jan 22, 2022, 01:02 PM
Jan 2022

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

(22,930 posts)
4. Works for me.
Mon Jan 10, 2022, 01:12 PM
Jan 2022

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.

Midnight Writer

(22,930 posts)
8. Moderation. For example, the whole grain bun I use has 10% of FDA daily limit of carbs.
Mon Jan 10, 2022, 03:52 PM
Jan 2022

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?

Tree Lady

(12,176 posts)
18. The processed flour in any type of bread
Sat Jan 22, 2022, 01:14 PM
Jan 2022

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.

Bayard

(24,105 posts)
6. I lost 30 lbs in the past year with low carb
Mon Jan 10, 2022, 01:22 PM
Jan 2022

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

Response to left-of-center2012 (Original post)

 

Shanti Shanti Shanti

(12,047 posts)
16. I lost 100 lbs in 8 months on low carb, keto/Paleo meal planning, never hungry, no cravings, works
Mon Jan 17, 2022, 11:30 AM
Jan 2022

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

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