My Experiment with Keto

In the world of diets, there’s one that has been making waves for quite some time – the ketogenic diet, often simply referred to as Keto. Unless you live under the rock, you’d have heard of it. Promising quick weight loss and improved energy levels, keto has gained a massive following, especially being promoted by Bollywood actors. As a health and fitness enthusiast, I couldn’t resist the temptation to try it out for myself.

Fun fact: Did you know that the ketogenic diet was originally designed to treat epilepsy? It was used for adults and in children with seizures who did not respond to medications. It was seen that the patients dropped weight and body fat during the treatment, and other people started using the treatment without supervision.

I embarked on a two-month keto journey (sometime in 2019) as an experiment to gain first hand experience and understanding of its impact. Here’s my honest personal journal of my 8-week tryst with Keto.

1. Week 1/ The Keto Adventure Begins: My journey started with a fridge overhaul. Out went the carbs – bread, pasta, rice, and all things starchy. In came the high-fat foods – avocados, nuts, butter, and plenty of meat. My daily carb intake was limited to a mere 20-30 grams, and I began tracking every morsel that entered my mouth. It was strict, it was drastic, and it felt like a significant departure from my usual balanced diet.
2. Week 2/ The Keto-Flu: The first week was a rollercoaster. I felt an initial surge of energy, and the promise of rapid weight loss was tantalizing. However, this newfound vigor was short-lived. As my body adapted to the carb deprivation, I experienced what’s commonly known as the “keto flu.” Fatigue, irritability, and brain fog became my constant companions.
3. Week 3/ The Scale and the Mirror: Despite the initial discomfort, there were some noticeable changes. I lost weight, and it was visible. My clothes fit better, and I felt a sense of accomplishment. But the mirror didn’t tell the whole story. I had lost about 4 kgs, and was feeling lighter, but srprisingly not happier!
4. Week 4/ My Excitement Started Waning.: One of the most significant drawbacks of the keto diet was its impact on my relationship with food. Dining became more about tracking macros than savoring flavors and being with my loved ones. I had lost about 5 kgs (most of which was water weight, and would come back) and along with my my joys and smile too.
5. Week 5/ I Became a Sad Person: Social gatherings became challenging. From being the chirpy one to being the silent one, this diet altered my personality. It made me question if my pursuit of a specific body image was worth sacrificing so much and becoming another person altogether? The answer clearly was NO! Didn’t lose much weight this week.
6. Week 6/ The Sustainability Conundrum: While I had achieved some weight loss and felt lighter, I couldn’t shake the feeling that keto wasn’t sustainable in the long run. The restrictive nature of the diet made it challenging. I had lost about 6.5 kgs and all my will to live!
7. Week 7/ Dragging it for two more weeks was a challenge: I was almost giving up. I cheated a couple of times this week. The though of being in this torture was scary enough for me. I has sarted to hallucinate hot chapattis, aloo bhaja, bread, and rice! I felt stupid to be doing Keto, even as an experiment. Bad idea! I had lost 7 kgs and fitted into a smaller pair of jeans, but I still wasnt smiling.
8. Week 8/The Aftermath and Future Choices: In the end, I bid farewell to keto. I valuable lessons about my body, the importance of a sustainable diet, and the impact of food on my overall well-being. That last night, I binged on khichdi, pizza, and 6 slices of crispy buttered toast! I had lost 7.3 kgs in all from week 1 through 8. Will I do it again? Absolutely, No!

Does Keto work? Well, the answer is, yes. It induces a satiating effect with decreased food cravings due to the high-fat content of the diet by limiting appetite-stimulating hormones, such as insulin and ghrelin.

But it is not without some serious health hazards some of which can be long lasting.

1. Nutrient Deficiencies: The keto diet restricts many food groups rich in essential nutrients, such as fruits, legumes, and whole grains. Over time, this can lead to deficiencies in vitamins (like vitamin C and K) and minerals (like magnesium and potassium).
2. Liver and Kidney Strain: The liver is responsible for converting fats into ketones, which the body uses for energy. Overloading the liver with excessive fats can lead to an increased risk of liver-related issues. Additionally, the kidneys must work harder to excrete waste products of ketone metabolism, potentially straining these organs.
3. Increased Cholesterol Levels: Some individuals experience elevated levels of LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) on a keto diet. High cholesterol levels can increase the risk of heart disease.
4. Hypoglycemia: The lack of carbohydrates can lead to low blood sugar levels, causing symptoms like shakiness, sweating, and confusion. Severe hypoglycemia can be dangerous.

I advocate for a more balanced approach to eating – one that is quantified, custom made for you, incorporates whole foods, allows for occasional indulgences, and doesn’t demonize any particular macronutrient. A diet should enhance the quality of life, not diminish it. It should be sustainable, enjoyable, and respectful of individual preferences. For most of us, it’s about finding a sustainable path to health and happiness – one meal at a time.

By the way, as I close let me not forget to mention that as expected, I did slowly gain back all the false-weight I had lost during my time on Keto, in about 4 months after getting back to my regular diet and lifestyle. I could have lost the same weight in 8-10 weeks following a moderate-carb quantified nutrition plan, and that fat loss would have been sustainable and gone for good.

So was it worth it. Heck, No!