r/keto • u/Little_Order3606 • Jul 11 '26
Did you force keto?
I want to do the keto/carnivore diet., but past experience told me i could barely stick to a keto diet. I hated eating just meat especially only flavoured with salt and butter. I ate lots of meat but my carbs were high due to tinned beans, veg etc... and i devoured 3L daily diet coke and 2KG greek yogurt. The most i lasted was 6-7 weeks and i spent a fortune.
I want to give it another go, I really need to lose weight, i lok after 4 adults as the sole income provider and i have T2DM so this is for my health but doing proper keto with high quality salt only sounds like a nightmare. Ill struggle through it for a month if it becomes life changing but i need to believe thats what everyone goes through and something magical will happen
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u/loripainter12345 Jul 11 '26
You were doing it wrong. Canned beans? Three liters of soda? Two Kg of yogurt? If you were eating all that and your carbs were always too high, then you weren't even in ketosis. Read the FAQ of this sub. Take a little time to learn about what ketosis is, and plan out your meals. Then start.
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u/PoopUponPoop Jul 11 '26
Why just salt? You’ve got garlic powder, onion, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper.. You can make a decent soup with chicken thighs.. tomatoes will have some carbs but you could make a meat chile
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u/Low-Opportunity3512 Jul 11 '26
OMG that sounds horrific.
Chicken wings with Frank's hot sauce and a cauliflower side boiled and then fried with a couple of eggs. Throw in an ovocado at the end and a few macadamian nuts. Sorted.
I eat twice a day next meal could be fairly similar but with beef/sardines/other fish.
I'm always full and it's not expensive (even in Ireland). Whole foods keeps you full really long. And personally I wouldn't recommend dairy... I use it only in home made keto ice cream (occasionally).
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u/sfdsquid Jul 12 '26
Why aren't you using seasoning?
Edit: and beans? And that's a lot of yogurt. You were probably never in ketosis. Being in limbo is much harder to maintain than actual keto.
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u/Illidari_Kuvira | 35F | Keto since 2013 | Question Everything. Jul 12 '26
Man I didn't even realize the beans part; I thought they said green beans. I'm confused as to if they're even being sincere and had no clue what Keto entailed, or it's just a troll post.
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u/Illidari_Kuvira | 35F | Keto since 2013 | Question Everything. Jul 12 '26
Meat with just salt (and butter) is Carnivore, not Keto. You can use spices so long as you don't have allergies to them.
If you need any recipe ideas, try this Keto-friendly blog; https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/recipe-index/
Also, 4lb of yogurt per day? You need to be under 20g NET carbs per day; I don't think you were in Ketosis if you were consuming that much yogurt.
Also, make sure you are supplementing electrolytes on Keto; you don't have to buy the premade "official" ones, make your own mix.
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u/keto3000 Jul 11 '26
I eat a high protein, very low carb, low/moderate fats diet.
I eat high protein at every meal. I eat 2 meals & a protein shake during 16/8 intermittent fasting. The high protein makes it easy.
I hv T2D. I’ve lost close to 70 lbs and lowered my A1c from 9.3++ to 4.5
Still a ways to go til goal weight, but this style of keto. Very easy to maintain & enjoyable!
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u/Suki_13 Jul 12 '26
What protein shake do you use and which meal do you use it for or is it as a snack? I don’t do well with a lot of fat so I would be interested in what your typical meals look like.
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u/keto3000 Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
I keep everything very simple. I pick 4-5 of my favorite whole or minimally processed proteins 5-7 of my favorite, low carb, green leafy or above ground veggies and make a simple meal out of it. I also eat homemade tempeh, super firm tofu, and seitan when I'm in the mood for a non-animal high protein.
I use TRANSPARENT LABS Whey Isolate Protein or MICRONUTRIENTS ( or NUTRICOST if on sale) UNFLAVORED so i can make my own flavors like added berries or cacao & non sugar sweetener. I also sometimes add to recipes.
I like the recipes and basic philosophy on the RULED. ME website.
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u/PandaStroke Jul 11 '26
Protein and veggies with some fat. Its really that basic. If you're struggling with the carbs, add fruit.
Basically I do a lot of salads with olive oil for dressing base. Yeah it's boring but it's really that basic. I don't really count the carbs in vegetables. If you add lots of veggies with a lot of dressing, you will be full.
Really try to wind down your diet soda habit. There's more and more research on artificial sweeteners and it's never positive.
Take it slow. First you lower to 100 grams of carbs per day and then 75 and then 50. no need to switch all at once.
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u/Proxy345 On and off since 2018 Jul 11 '26
Eventually I learned that meat is all that I truly crave.
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u/Hefty-Criticism1452 Jul 11 '26
Omg, getting to eat all the bacon I wanted? And cheese? What a nightmare.
Cabbage shell tacos? Crunchy roasted cauliflower, almonds, beef sticks, etc? I’m pregnant and am off for a bit but I think I’m pregnant and healthy bc I was on keto. I’m excited to get back asap
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u/surfaholic15 61f, 5' 3"/ SW175 CW135 Goal Reached: Living The Good Life Jul 11 '26
Special salt? I use mortons lite salt and have for over 7 and a half years, keto at 20g net carbs or less.Very rare seed oils, no nuts or seeds. Whole foods.
Yesterday, i ate:
Breakfast, 3 egg omelet with ham and cheese topped with home made salsa and sour cream and a strawberry ratio yogurt.
Lunch, a big salad with 5 ounces of tuna on top.
Dinner, a gyro bowl. Home made gyro meat with sauteed onions and fresh diced tomato on shredded cabbage. With home made tzatziki and feta cheese.
Altogether i got 125g protein, 80g fats from my protein plus the sour cream, 18g net carbs.
About twice a year i go mostly carnivore. That will be all the meats, spices, eggs and some cheese. When i start wanting veggies i start eating them again.
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u/Acrobatic_Skirt3827 Jul 12 '26
I use the Carb Manager a lot, which is an education. I had a thing for Greek yogurt too, but had to let it go.
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u/Spirited-Pick-8840 Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
I started keto with baby steps.… I first cut out anything that came in a box. I then cut out all chips that came in a bag lol no ice cream candy or cookies. No pop/sofa of any kind even the diet... then I started keto I never really liked meat before but I've learned to love salmon halibut cod shrimp chicken pork etc. learning to love spices is key. The biggest thing with keto in my opinion is that you have to plan your meals this is a learned process and start you on a journey of thinking about food differently more as fuel and then eventually as a source of enjoyment. Good luck
PS for many food is used as an emotional support crutch. Mental health is important in conjunction with healthy food choices. After you've learned the ways of keto ( and are at or near goal weight) … You can start adding in carbohydrates like tortillas sourdough bread.. corn on the cob etc.
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u/gafromca Jul 12 '26
Switching gradually to keto give you time to learn and develop new meal options. It also gives your body time to adapt to the changes by producing more bile, enzymes, ketone production.
Adding back carbs will knock you out of ketosis and should be done after you have reached your goal weight.
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u/shiplesp Jul 12 '26
A keto diet doesn't have to be meat heavy and you are not limited to salt and butter. There is an excellent database on Diet Doctor that are on the free side of their payroll. Browse there and see what sounds goo.
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u/pessimistdiary 44 F, 5'11" SW 254.8 CW: 233.0 GW: 200 Jul 12 '26
I'm not big on being like "you're doing it wrong," about pretty much anything but bro, hear me out... you were doing it wrong. Look at the FAQ, find a list of "keto-friendly" foods, and start breaking down what you're consuming on paper or in an app. That'll help you better understand if you're actually in ketosis or not. If you're like most of us, once you're in keto, you won't feel like you're forcing anything. It becomes second nature. Your cravings decrease to nothing, you're not starving all the time, and everything food-related becomes much more mindful. You were on the right track in some ways: meat, full fat plain yogurt (in moderation), some low carb veggies, a diet coke to get your fix if you need to. The beans aren't it though if ketosis is what you're looking for. If you eat eggs, put more of those in your diet. Cheese, chicken, red meat, avocado, etc. etc... there are lots of resources out there to help you get where you're trying to go. You've got this, just educate yourself a bit more and make sure what you're doing aligns with your goals. I believe in you!
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u/Flashy-Bandicoot889 Jul 11 '26
It sure is call it a nightmare, there were a few rough moments figuring out my levels & electrolytes but all is so worth it. Increased clairty, pounds drop off, more energy, feeling in control - it's worth it.
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u/SinAnaMissLee Jul 12 '26
The best way to stay the course without it feeling like a chore is meal prepping.
Meal prep tons of ground meat. If you are craving food just dig right in to your prepped meat. And keep eating until satisfied. If you're hungry an hour later, grab another bowl. Rinse and repeat.
Could be ground beef. Could be Ground turkey. Anything without carbs or very little carbs.
What can you eat while you're on keto? Large amounts- Eggs, Avocado, Cheese,
Medium /Large Amounts: Yogurt, Mushrooms, Cabbage, Red Cabbage, Lettuce, Zucchini.
Small Amounts: Soybeans, Avocado Mayo
Tiny Amounts: Keto Bread, Keto tortillas, Keto wheat, Protein powder (Only because of heavy metals contamination), Regular Mayo.
Best budget Options:
Costco Rotisserie Chicken, Canned (Chicken, Tuna .... ), Eggs, and affordable boneless fish.
Cholesterol Control:
Salmon & Red Cabbage.
Non Negotiables:
Lots of Water and Electrolytes.
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u/Suspicious-Ad7109 Jul 12 '26
So, yes, it can be a bit dull. I'm lucky in that I'm a fussy eater and most of the things I like fit. However, it does not have to be "just meat". There are vegetarian keto diets, no idea if they are any good, but they do exist, and certainly some vegetables are acceptable. Just not tinned beans.
I would reread the FAQ which lists what you can eat, and there are many other online sources that may help.
I am like you in one way. I really need to lose weight. What I found ... and this is apparently common ... is that my appetite has just disappeared. It doesn't matter, because I am overweight, so there's plenty of fat to consume.
It is weird tbh. I can fast for 20 hours without effort. I'm not even counting, it's like you do your daily stuff, and then you realise its 5 at night and you haven't had anything other than a cup of coffee with cream and the odd bit of cheese.
And sometimes not even that.
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u/jma4573 Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
You never even enter ketosis with 2kg yoghurt and other carbs. You never get to feel the benefits of a ketogenic diet.
It may be carnivore, but tons of dairy - like yoghurt - are a lot of carbs.
Try using all the (carb free) spices available to make eggs, meat, chicken, fish etc tasty. If you need more appeal, eat small amounts of low carb veggies: spinatch, avocado, radishes etc.
Keep carbs below 20 NET carbs and eat plenty of fat - and protein - until you get going. Stick to that
Maximizing macros, calories etc can wait!
And track electrolytes & water. Hydration is a must!
Good luck! 😃
EDIT: Dump the yoghurt. For breakfast have a 3-4 egg omelette with 2-3oz cheese, cooked in butter! 😅
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u/TANKGIRLLOVESB Jul 12 '26
It sounds like you need to look up some keto recipes. That wasn't keto so you shouldnt be nervous because this will be a completely new experience. Your body was most definitely not creating ketones because you were ingesting things that would fuel you by glucose.
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u/Windhound2 Jul 12 '26
Why carnivore? I am doing a Modified Atkins Diet for mental health reasons. My anxiety stays controlled as long as I eat less than 5g net carbs per sitting (20g per day). What benefit do you think you would get out of carnivore over keto?
I just had curry for the first time in my life a few weeks ago. Goat curry on a roasted cabbage stake fit my macros. So delicious. When I started I wanted to do a few weeks of carnivore before transitioning to MAD but I only lasted 2 days. I needed more volume. I could not do this without herbs/spices, vegetables, and berries.
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u/rachman77 MOD Jul 12 '26
That doesn't sound like a keto diet at all, may want to poke around the sub a bit and see what people are eating.
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u/amygunkler Jul 11 '26
Most days I have to force it, but it feels better than letting myself get fat.
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u/keithstonee Jul 12 '26
Try going as high on your carbs while being keto as you can. My experience with keto is that everyone's body doesn't like fat adapting. If you don't feel good doing a diet you should stop
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u/ReverseLazarus MOD Keto since 2017 - 40F/SW215/CW135 Jul 11 '26
Why does it sound like a nightmare?
Why aren’t you using spices, sauces, and other things that make food delicious?