Do you mind me asking how you have done it for 25 years? Do you cycle? What have you found to be the best way long term? What benefits have you seen in your life?
Sorry for the delayed reply,
@Jennifer.
I began about 25 years ago with Atkins, and I loved it. I was hard core - no more than 20 carbs a day, and this was before people understood net carbs. What sold me was how my bloodwork and other medical readings changed. In fact, my doctor called it a miracle. I did fall off the wagon for a bit, and afterwards decided to do South Beach Diet, which was a bit more relaxed. I was probably barely keto then, but I seem to be able to stay in ketosis at a bit higher carb count than most. Then I edged toward the paleo way of eating, but still keeping a focus on high fat, moderate protein, moderate vegetables, and some fruit such as apples and berries. Through all that I have found I feel best when I am very low carb, and that is where I am now. I eat veggies, but almost all green veggies. I eat a small amount of fruit, normally an apple or blueberries, but not every day, and I the rest is fat and protein. I am find a nice groove with Dr. Fung’s fasting/keto protocol, which suits me quite well.
Now, in full disclosure, I am not where I need to be weight wise - about 50 pounds lower than my highest weight, and about 50 pounds or so to go. And I still have an unhealthy relationship with food. By that I mean I am a stress eater, and the last two years has been incredibly stressful for me, something that seems to be increasing, not decreasing. When I am stressed, I can eat unbelievable amounts of food - not good. I cannot say I am losing weight right now, but when I go through spells of less stress, I do, and I lose it quickly. Some people say you can’t overeat on keto - I can, and I think this is a ridiculous statement.
As far as what I’ve seen, I am overall healthier when I am eating keto. My blood pressure is lower, my bloodwork is better, and my blood glucose is MUCH better.
While I’ve done keto type dieting for 25 years, there have been spells where I haven’t followed it. My wife can’t remember me not eating keto, but I can. I’d say I have stuck to it 80% of the time.
As far as what works best for me, I have done one meal a day about 50% of the time for a few years now, and keto when I eat. I’ve also done much longer fasts, as long as 5 days, and I love it when I get past the first day. The best I have felt is when I am fasting greater than 48 hours, but I travel a lot for work, and I am often in positions where work dinners are expected, so it is hard to stick to that.
All this being said, I am not of the belief that any one diet is right for everyone. Our bodies all react differently, and some of us cannot stick to certain diets. For me, keto and fasting are easy. For others, this may not be the case. I would add this though, I think eliminating all forms of sweetener is essential, not just sugar. Even though I can make an argument that stevia is okay, all sweeteners, even artificial ones, seem to cause an insulin response, which is not good when triggered as often as it is in our modern world. I am a firm believer in non-processed food with the only sugar being that which is in the food, and I avoid high sugar/high starch foods.
I kind of feel like I rushed this answer a bit - I hope it makes sense.
btw, I am a huge fan of keto dieting, and have done it for most of the last 25 years.
