Sunday 11 September 2016

Dave Does Keto - Week 5 in Review


My energy levels remain very consistent and high. My mood and sense of well being is very good.
Appetite remains somewhat suppressed. No cravings.  My stomach feels much better and my poop has "normalized". I would say that I am pretty much Keto adapted at this point.

I have really come to acknowledge and accept  the fact that sugar is responsible for cravings.

We’re all neurologically wired to favor sweet flavors, and eating sugar sets off signals in your body that make us feel happy — and crave more of it. There are many suspected causes as to why some individuals are more susceptible to to sugar cravings or sugar addiction however the basic fact is that when we eat sugar the brain receives these "happy" signals unlike when we eat carbs or protein which signals the brain that "hey thanks I'm full now". The brain just keeps asking for more of that "happy" sugary stuff and of course we want our brain to be happy so we eat more. It's the same as the old saying. "i just ate Chinese food an hour ago and now I am hungry again"

Here is what I will call the KETO EFFECT formula

No sugar = no cravings + High % Fat intake =  satiety = better life!


It's that simple! It really doesn't need to be complicated at all.




I am continuing to drop in weight and am showing continuous signs of body fat reduction. Strength has finally dropped slightly but workouts are still running at full steam.

Starting Weight - 206
Weight on Day 7 -198
Weight on Day 14 - 193
Weight on Day 21 - 189
Weight on Day 28 - 182 
Weight on Day 35 - 177

For anyone that is counting that's 29 lbs in 35 days! Just saying!
I fully expect the weight lose to trickle at this point but as I stated from the beginning this is an experiment and trial of sorts so let's see where this Keto thing takes us!

Keto on my Keto kompanions !

Saturday 10 September 2016

Keto and Coke Zero

Does Coke Zero or other Diet Sodas' Fit with Keto?

 

Nutritionally, yes. Basically because it has no nutritional value. 

 

But for many people it is detrimental, as it gives them cravings for sweet things. One of the main benefits of being on a Keto diet is the fact that you break the sugar craving cycle. By drinking Coke Zero which I  admit I did previously enjoy,  you are just working against yourself in eliminating that need for sweet sugary like fixes.

 

 

Both diet coke and coke zero contain aspartame. 

 

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener.

Aspartame is highly controversial. All things considered, although there have been many claims and many studies there is no good evidence to claim that aspartame is harmful. However, it is impossible to rule out some rare cases of real aspartame sensitivity or allergy.

If you feel like you have an adverse reaction to aspartame, then simply avoid it.

My advice and this is coming from an old school die hard coke and coke zero junkie - (the sweeter the better) - Just drink water. Water  has no fake sugar,  and actually hydrates you.

Keep the artificial sweeteners to a minimum. I  do enjoy a little stevia here and there but I keep it to a minimum and only as a very, very small treat.  i.e. Keto walnut fudge - love that Keto fudge!

Friday 9 September 2016

Keto - The Alcohol Factor

So How Does Alcohol Fit in With Keto?

First off a disclaimer - I don't drink alcohol of any sort, never have so I can't offer any personal experience or insight on the matter but I believe inquiring Keto minds want to know.
What I can tell you is that you regardless of anything else. If you are trying to lose fat or weight alcohol is about the worst thing you can consume. Your body (liver) metabolizes alcohol first before other macros. What this means is that while your body is slowly metabolizing the alcohol everything else you consume needs to wait its turn and while waiting may just be stored as fat due to the fact that you have consumed too many calories.
 This also means that if your liver is busy dealing with alcohol, it will delay dealing with other nutrients—which is why drinking alcohol causes your blood sugar to go down and your blood fats to go up temporarily. I am over simplifying it and keeping it non scientific but this is what it comes down to.
My personal recommendation is to avoid alcohol when trying to lose weight. It is just going to mess with your macros' and unless you are extremely diligent in tracking your macros or limiting your alcohol you will be derailed. I have witnessed more times than I care to mention clients that are doing so well with their weight lose programs only to be derailed because "they had a few".





For your convenience and reference I grabbed the information below from a reddit Keto forum to illustrate some examples of alcohol macros'.

Can I drink alcohol on keto?

Yes. Provided you have no medical conditions that would otherwise prohibit it, it's perfectly fine to drink in moderation while you're low-carbing it. BUT, you have to be aware of the carb and calorie counts of whatever you're drinking!

Bear in mind that alcohol IS caloric. Your body has no mechanism to store the energy in alcohol, so you will metabolize the calories in alcohol before any other energy sources. That means that while your body is metabolizing alcohol, it is NOT metabolizing fat. Consuming alcohol will not knock you out of keto, but it will delay the results.


And now, the cheat sheet:

Straight Liquor

  • UNSWEETENED Vodka, rum, gin, tequila, whiskey, scotch, brandy, cognac (80 proof): 0g carbs, 64 calories PER OUNCE. A shot/jigger is 1.5 oz, or 96 calories.
  • Mix any of the above with water, club soda, or diet soda to keep the 0g carbs. Tonic contains sugar and carbs! Martini lovers: be advised that dry vermouth contains carbs, so order 'em extra dry. The few drops probably won't hurt.
  • Liquers, like amaretto, Jagermeister, Grand Marnier, curacao, cordials, sweet vermouth, limoncello, etc (basically anything sweet) contain sugars. Not always drank on their own, but they frequently sneak their way into cocktails.

Wine

Wines can vary based on any number of factors, but here are some averages:

Reds (5 oz. serving):

  • Merlot: 120 calories, 3.7 carbs
  • Pinot Noir: 121 calories, 3.4 carbs
  • Cabernet: 120 calories, 3.8 carbs

Whites (5 oz. serving):

  • Chardonnay: 118 calories, 3.7 carbs
  • Pinot Gris/Grigio: 122 calories, 3.2 carbs
  • Riesling: 118 calories, 5.5 carbs
  • Champagne/Sparkling whites: 96 calories, 1.5 carbs
  • Dessert wines, ports, and sherries are sweetened and should be avoided.

Beer

Unfortunately for beer fans, most of the good stuff is very high in carbs and calories. Especially anything red, amber, or dark. But all is not lost: some lighter beers are ok to drink.




Don't Forget!
  • Alcohol counts toward your daily calorie and carb counts!
  • Alcohol delays fat-burning!
  • Ketosis lowers your alcohol tolerance, so take it easy!
  • Beware of the drunk munchies!
  • Alcohol dehydrates you! Order a couple waters, and drink a glass before bed.
  • Unsure of the nutritional value of your favorite drink? Look it up !  If it tastes sweet, it's probably sugary and keto-unfriendly!

Fat Supplement - Quest Coconut Oil Powder

Quest Coconut Oil Powder



This is a great way to incorporate coconut oil in your diet to get your fat macros in! Great in smoothies and also in protein pancakes as well.

Mixed just plain with water it basically tastes like nothing  

Mix some easy-to-measure fats into your favorite shakes or baked goods with the rich, delicious goodness of coconut oil.



Most people aren’t aware of the benefits of coconut oil, MCT oil, and ketosis. Coconut oil is a fat that has been really popular over the last five or ten years. It is a saturated fat, which means it essentially has a very stable temperature, allowing you to cook it at higher temperatures and not rancidify the fat. Healthy saturated fats are really important for optimal health.

If you don’t eat much coconut oil I’d encourage you to include it in your daily routine. However, increasing (or adding) coconut oil can have some negative, temporary effects. If you start eating too much too soon, you’ll likely get an upset stomach, cramps, and diarrhea for a couple of days. So I’d encourage you to add it slowly. The benefit definitely outweighs any discomfort.

Benefits of Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is an abundant source of lauric acid (C12) and has many health benefits including ketosis, decreased cravings, boosted immune functions, weight loss, and enhanced brain health.

Coconut oil is high in natural saturated fats. Saturated fats not only increase the healthy cholesterol (known as HDL) in your body, but also help to convert the LDL “bad” cholesterol into good cholesterol's  by Increasing the HDL's in the body, it helps promote heart health, and lower the risk of heart disease.

Thursday 8 September 2016

Wednesday 7 September 2016

Garlic-Parmesan Hasselback Zucchini

Another great Keto friendly recipe. A great tasting low carb side dish. I was enjoying this recipe this even before going Keto.

Garlic-Parmesan Hasselback Zucchini


Garlic-Parmesan Hasselback Zucchini

Another great Keto friendly recipe. A great tasting low carb side dish. I was enjoying this recipe this even before going Keto.

Garlic-Parmesan Hasselback Zucchini