Let's Clear Some Stuff Up

Hiii y'all.

Well, I certainly did *NOT* expect such a passionate response from people yesterday, both publically and via private message. But let's dive into clearing up some misconceptions:

1. I'm a grown up. Some of y'all acted like I was about to pull a coked-out Pam Poovey---seriously, I'm ok. I act like a child, but nah, I'm 32.

2. The Keto Diet itself: This isn't a weight loss thing. Seriously. Studies have shown that a low-carb diet, capped protein is less effective in the long term for weight loss than a high-carb, adequate protein diet.

There is *NO* reason to subject yourself to ketosis if you don't need to for medical reasons, at least in my opinion as a food lover.

There are some serious side effects, including hypoglycemia, bone demineralization, dismenorrhea (for the uterus-having), and kidney stones. For me, that is *LESS* crippling than my current quality of life. Plus, no long term studies on health effects!

The Keto Diet fad schtick has popped up a LOT since Atkins got a bad rap, and simply because you are low carb does not mean you are on a ketogenic diet. The term you are looking for is low-carb diet, which comes with its own health risks for healthy and chronically ill people alike. The ketogenic diet has a very specific ratio of macros to hit.

3. This isn't something you can cheat on. 

For your body to achieve ketosis, it has to use up all the glucose (formed by carbs) and your body then uses ketones as a replacement for glucose. In a nutshell.

That means you basically go through carb withdrawal. And every time you come out of ketosis and want to go back in, you gotta do the whole withdrawal thing again. Physical AND psychological. It can take up to 2 weeks and feels like the flu, hence the name "keto flu."

4. You need to measure your blood level ketones to check if you are actually in ketosis. Yes, there are some urine strips to check, but know that how hydrated you are affects your urine and will not accurately conve blood ketone levels.

That means I, a non-diabetic, am willingly sticking myself to test my blood ketone level, which is not something I ever thought I would be willing to do.

5. Thank you to all my supporters, most of you know what a rollercoaster the past almost-decade has been with my health and yet we are still friends <3.

6. Cue keto friendly baking in 3...2...1...