39 Comments
Have you ever been on a ketogenic or “keto” diet (low carbohydrate, high protein)? Please share more in the comments.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
© 2023 T1D Exchange. All Rights Reserved.
Very simple answer, “NO”.
While I try to eat lower carbohydrate foods I do not follow a keto diet
it is the princpal way for manegement my glicemia
I was on a diet that was low carb more as a way of weight management than glucose management, and that was several years ago! The only diabetes benefit I noticed was that I took less insulin.
Have always done low carb high protein. Tried actual keto which incorporates high fat. This did not work for me. Did not tolerate higher fat even so called good fats. Raised my BS.
My wife is on a low carb, high protein diet, so I guess I am too. However, I tend to cheat.
I’ve never been on a keto diet. But for my 46 years of T1D I have normally eaten 20-40gm of carbs 3 times a day with a snack of 10-15gb carbs if I’m active.
I started on a zero carb diet in January and have lost 15 pounds and I’m using 35% less insulin each day. It has made a gigantic difference in my overall quality of life. I’ve stopped eating pasta, bread, rice, and potatoes
I have done a Keto diet, and while it helps you to loose weight, I don’t feel its the healthy way to do so. The other issue I see with me and most any others that try Keto, is when you try to add carbs back in, even good carbs, the body reacts and starts to immediately put the weight back on.
I was eating Keto for 8 years but had issues with vegetable fiber. I now eat carnivore and my bg’s couldn’t be better.
I was on a Keto diet for a short time.
It’s hard for my T1D food also must follow alongside the Keto.
Tom R
I minimize the amount of carbs I eat, but I cannot classify my diet. The keto, paleo, low-carb, carnivore, etc. all overlap as far as I can tell. The differences are fodder for nit-picking. For me, the real aim is to require less insulin and to avoid blood sugar spikes.
Yes. After reading Dr Richard Bernstein’s book, Diabetes Solution nearly 20 years ago, I immediately became “carb aware” and reduced my daily intake of carbohydrates I was dx’d with Type 1 diabetes 48 years ago in 1976. Reducing carbs enabled me to reduce my hbA1c scores into the low 6’s which was my goal. I’ve gone as low as 5.8 for an A1c. I’ve had to further reduce my carb intake as I’ve aged to maintain good glucose control. I never did go as low as Dr Bernstein recommends. My current carb intake is 95 grams per day. I credit my “carb awareness” and control with helping me to stave off those dreaded diabetes complications….so far. Aging with diabetes has presented additional control challenges. I’m currently in my mid-70’s. Life has been good!
I am currently. My go-to diet to return to perfect control, lose weight, better medical test scores. But I do go off at times because I’m a human, not a machine!
Yes, I follow a ketogenic diet, which is technically low carb and high fat. Only fad keto diets are high protein.
In a nutritional keto diet, you calculate your body’s protein needs (approx 1g per kg body weight), add in your personal net carb target, and based on your daily total caloric need, the rest of your calories are from fat.
I started about 7 months into my diagnosis, when the ADA recommendations didn’t work for me. I’ve followed a keto diet since then, about 7 years total now
I tried for several months, but I didn’t like how I felt. I had no energy and I didn’t like the ketone odor of my breath, sweat, and urine! It also wasn’t something I could stay on long-term.
Good question! Yes, I am following a keto diet. It requires a totally different perspective on carbs, protein and fat. I recommend reading Keto Continuum
I first started to experiment with ketogenic diet when I wad training for an ultra marathon. It worked out a treat. My bg stayed nice and level regardless of what I was doing. At the ultra marathon I had some almonds and macadamia nuts and this was enough to keep me going. At my earlier runs I needed to (continuously) eat carbs for energy while trying to stay at a reasonable bg level. I loved the food I was eating, but found it really difficult to eat out.
In ’98 I was diagnosed TYPE2, “counted carbs” which is how I got off insulin, off medication, but 3 years diet alone my glucose levels went crazy. My first endocrinologist kept wanting me to loss more weight so though I was at my weight after basic training (’78 at 18). Kept changing prescription even when I asked about insulin (“I was too old to need insulin, too old to be a TYPE 1”). Went to the original ATKINS diet (before his kids got involved with bars and shakes), dropped from a healthy 170lbs to 148.
My diagnosis changed at those med trials to TYPE 1, told 25-30lbs underweight. I now generally do “moderate carbs,” although I make a point not to restrict anything now.
There’s room for various eating styles to make our glucose control stable, as much as we’re able to stay healthy.
I have done a low car diet in the past and had good success losing weight and controlling blood sugar levels. It can be a bit difficult at time to maintain for long periods of time.
I answered I will share in comments, but. have never been on a strict keto diet , however I do watch my carbs. My sugars run better on a low carb diet. However last night I splurged and had 2 big pieces of pizza, using the extended bolus I never got higher than a 150. I shocked myself. LOL
Yes, I still eat a high protein, low carb diet, however I wonder if that has created my gastrointestinal issues.
I have been a TID for over 52 years. I was like every 14 y/o crazy about sweets. But it wasn’t until I learned to control my carbs and know which ones to shy away from, I wasn’t able to control my glucose levels. Now I am making more conscientious choices and the trends registered in my pump show more of a flat line below 135. But it is a day to day challenge. For women post menopause, hormones, or lack there of is another challenge.
I don’t believe in “fad” diet trends. I eat a well-balanced diet and try to consume reduced carbs (NOT eliminating carbs… your body needs some carbs for proper function .. in my opinion). My endo agrees with this approach
I eat low carb due to T1D, it keeps my blood sugar in range. I’d never eat a high protein diet because that taxes the kidneys.
Yes, my 14yo t1d eats lower carb (less than 45 g carbs a day) & loads up on protein.
I did keto for a while when struggling with post concussion syndrome. It seemed to help
I tried to stick to a 30 carb/day diet for about 2 years. It definitely makes it easier to control blood sugars & weight. My A1c remains 5.9 or below. I’ve loosened up for the past few months, eating low carb, but not as strict, & am still doing quite well with blood sugars, but have gained a little weight again.
I’ve done low carb/dirty keto and it works! I just love food too much in general and am swayed by social gatherings to be able to stay on it like I should. I never maintained a daily carb limit but I only chose meat, low carb veg, and cheese during that time along side low carb yogurts and other snacks. I lost 12 lbs in 4 months and my blood sugar was no longer on a rollar coaster!
Very bad idea, bad science as far as I can tell.
I attempted the diet Dr. Bernstein subscribed pre-CGM while in grad school.
Yes, I followed a low carb diet- high protein diet. I found that I needed to take insulin for the protein. I worked with my educator to figure out the ratio. I didn’t lose weight, i actually gained.
I have never dieted in my life. I’ve been fortunate to be thin. I just try to eat smart. I try not to eat processed food. There is nothing in my freezer. We eat fresh. My husband and I are both retired so we go to the store often. We both cook. It works for us. I eat as much as he does for dinner but he snacks more. I do not eat between meals unless CGM tells me I am going low.
I go no carbs and fast periodically. When eating a strict no carb (<5g per meal) or fasting I do not have to take ANY bolus insulin at all and my BG will stay within 20 mg/dL the entire time. It's unsettling in a way. I wouldn't know that I was diabetic but for the fact that I still need to take my basal insulin (while on pump, just set it and forget it' while on MDI, just 1 shot of Tresiba per day). Too bad I don't have very long term resolve to stay on that kind of diet.
Lower carb typically but not necessarily ketogenic.
Have been doing low carb since 2019. It really helps keep my BGs lower and in range for most of the day.
I’m trying to eat less ultra processed foods. I am extremely active and not sure a keto diet would support my activity level. I eat a fair amount of vegetables and fruits (mostly berries and sometimes peaches, bananas, apples. Willing to tesd comments. Think I need carbs on 20 mile hikes, walks, bike rides.
I didn’t have much success with it as my blood sugar kept tanking.
I stay on a keto diet. I don’t like using more insulin for carbs. My pancreas barely functions and treating highs becomes a roller coaster!