My plan is to keep my total carbs within 100 each day. I'm also doing Intermittent Fasting 16/8, eating between the hours of 11 am to 7 pm. I am starting today, but plan to have weekly weigh-ins on Fridays. Anyone else doing Low Carb, but not necessarily Keto?

I do plan to take a day off now and then. I am gonna enjoy a treat once in a while!

I think I'll use this thread as kind of an online diary.

Hi Liz. I do low carb healthy fat. My carbs are usually at 20 grams per day but occasionally reach as high as 50 grams ... but no higher.

Low carb (to the point of ketosis where we burn fat instead of carbs for energy) is not advisable without adding enough healthy fat choices. Enough salt and plenty water is also a must since carbs hold a lot of water. So when we eat less carbs, drink lots and use salt. I’m a coffee drinker, so I drink double the amount of water.

There’s a lot of misconception about low carb. People think all we eat is too much meat. But low carb isn’t about meat. We get our protein from many sources including eggs, fish, tofu, and beans. And we aim for macros of 65% healthy fat, 25% protein and 10% carbs.

So yes, I love low carb. It’s similar to the Mediterranean diet popular in Europe. When I retire, I want to replace all meat with other forms of protein. I’ll keep fish and eggs but only buy these from local producers. And I’ll add healthy whole grains like oatmeal and sweet taters.

Edited to add I also IF 16:8 most days.

Hi Follena. Thank you for your input. I'm honestly not shooting for ketosis, just lowering my carb intake. I'm also trying to drink more water, too. I also enjoy coffee in the mornings. I do add a little cream to my coffee, but according to Dr. Jason Fung, a little cream isn't going to affect your insulin levels by much at all. I've found that to be the case. I'm glad because there's no way I'll give up the cream in my coffee.

I appreciate your comment!

I love Dr Jason Fung too!!

Hello I am doing the same thing. Same hours.

Hi Oppaloopa. How long have you been doing IF? If for a while, are you seeing any weight loss?

Liz, have you tried full Keto before?

Yes I have. I find it extremely hard to stick to. That's why I refuse to do elimination diets anymore.

CEU, I may have to eat my words. I am thinking today of having no grains at all. I had very little bread yesterday and had my last snack of a few bites of stir fry steak at 6 pm. My Blood glucose is elevated this morning. Here are my numbers thus far:

6:10 am - 109
coffee with about 2 Tbsp. HWCream
8 am - 122
20 oz. water
9:05 - 116
9:50 - feeling hunger so checked again 115

My fasting hours are between 11 am - 7 pm

I refuse to eat, even at 11 am, until my blood glucose goes to less than 100.

The only grains I had yesterday were 1 slice of white bread and 1/2 a small flour tortilla. (I know, neither are good for us. lol)

Today I'm cutting out grains and anything with more than just trace amounts of sugar. I'm going to see how my numbers compare today and tomorrow.

Edited: Forgot 1/2 oz of potato chips yesterday, as well. None of those today, either.

I found this interesting video on why some have high blood glucose levels on a keto way of eating. Thought some of you may be interested. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqEqzi6eXGY

Okay, I changed my mind about Keto. This is the way to go for me after checking my blood glucose numbers this morning. I was a 89 and couldn't believe it, so checked a finger on the opposite hand and showed 88. Wow! I also checked a urine ketone stick this morning and am releasing low to moderate ketones already. So, with the title of this thread having "not keto" in it, I'm going to have to abandon it. Definitely doing keto!

YAY doing the happy dance for you. Truly, sugar is just the devil. Keto and low-carb are so good for reducing nasty sugar. You will be so happy with the results.

Thank you, Follena, I really am happy with this decision. I am having a hard time with cravings right now, but determined to stick with it until they pass. Today is Day 3 and I have to say that a skin condition I have seems to be improving. I hope it's not a fluke. If Keto is the reason for the improvement, it's worth staying with for the rest of my life.

Thank you for your support!

Well, I blew my Keto diet yesterday and cannot stand the thought of going back to it. I was kept awake through the night with severe toe, feet and leg cramps after reintroducing extra carbs. I have never been able to sustain the Keto way of eating. Even though I feel this would be optimal for health, it's simply too restrictive for me.

So, today, I'm going back to keeping carbs low, lower than the 100 total carbs I was starting with, maybe stay between 50 to 75 for a while and see how my glucose numbers go. I was at 117 this morning, but went on a total binge yesterday. I deserve that number and then some. I'm planning to keep track of calories, as well. I'm still doing a 16/8 IF, but I don't do it perfectly all the time. I'm going to keep working at it.

So here we go...

I just started yesterday and have a long way to go. I am surprised at how much easier it is if I stay busier. I am worried about the dreaded feet cramps I always seem to get, so am taking potassium and magnesium to see if they help thwart them.