@matildagirl I've done a TON of research myself and I don't like it, but I had to cut down my fat consumption due to my heart issues. Lol!!! It's just not really sustainable long term. Of course, there are always outliers. Truth is there are few long term studies on what keto does in the body. I'll try to find the article I recently read in one of the first studies done between keto and other diets and while keto was great short term, they weren't living as long as those who followed a more balanced diet. So there's that. Gotta find what works for you, I suppose.
@rennie I've been enjoying his commentary on most things these past few months. I only have streaming services so I have to remind myself to check him out. Thanks for the reminder! Watching and reading about this stuff is making easier to give up the things I know I should and make better choices.
@rennie Another thing they do is give you tomato soup and black beans. They add sugar to the soup when it already has natural sugar in it. I won't eat that. Black beans? Nobody I know will eat them. Instant potatoes? I use them because I'm alone, and it's a waste to buy potatoes and watch them wrinkle up in the sack.
@elaineg I wish I could cook for you, just for, say a week! Black beans are an excellent food, high in protein, no saturated fat, no cholesterol, incredibly tasty when prepared well. My Spanish mother made us a popular Cuban dish of black beans and rice with an optional topping of onions marinated in vinegar. It was amazing. There are many delicious varieties of black bean soup which I make with tomatoes, onions, garlic, carrots, sweet peppers, and rice. Black beans also make a great veggie burger. Lest I forget burritos with black beans, fresh sautéed veggies, topped with leafy greens and other fresh veggies. Mouth watering good. Recipes for this superfood abound. Including, if everyone were eating plant-based diet, a lot of people would live longer healthier lives and better for the planet too.
My diet is about 3/4 plant-based, with eggs, chicken or fish about once a week and half and half with coffee that I am trying to quit. I eat a lot more than anyone I know, except for some close relatives who will not be named, who stuff themselves every change they get.
I have never had a weight problem. Although I have other issues ha ha.
I love potatoes, whole and fresh. Cook the whole thing, and put leftovers in the fridge for another meal. Add the leftovers to soup, eggs, quiches, salads. Yum.
I once saw a woman sitting on a park bench in Paris peeling a boiled potato and eating it like an apple. It looked so delicious. Just a simple potato. That was 40 years ago and I never forgot it.
@jeanne-mayell I wish I liked beans. That consistency is my mouth is a no, no, no and did I say NO? LOL!
@jeanne-mayell I think that was a Julia Child recipe on The French Chef:
Pommes de terre bouillies (dans le parc)
I guess what it comes down to is eating a varied diet of lean meats, fish, chicken, pork, eggs, pulses, lots of vegetables, fruits, carbohydrates with a low GI index, some dairy probably low fat, but they can be overly processed.
Good fats, like olive oil, avocados etc. forget buying packaged overly processed stuff like cereals. Avoid your processed meats.
Getting off our bums and doing exercise, walking probably the cheapest easiest way.
See, it seems easy, shame we all struggle with it.
Start small, peel that potato rather than powdered (which I am not sure you can buy here?) Grill that bit of fish with some good fat and herbs serve with veggies, I cook mine in the microwave for a couple of minutes in a glass container, not plastic, quick and easy. Work out what suits you best, grill, bake, don’t fry if possible.
Like every thing in life, eating and cooking food is paved with good intentions. Don’t beat yourself up if that meal isn’t the best for you.
I am carrying too much weight like everyone these days so I really should be following my own advice. Said I as I sit in my chair typing this.
Good luck to us all, it seems daunting I guess but we are all in the same boat. Cheers to small victories and good changes. Good health everyone.
Regards
Matildagirl
I do enjoy canned black beans! I just made chili tonight with black beans, tomato sauce, and ground pork. The tomato sauce from the food bank is local and comes in a pouch with real-food ingredients, very tasty.
I've read that in some cultures black beans are considered a restorative food after illness or in trying times.
Here's an excerpt on healing properties of black beans from the Dr. Axe site:
"In Traditional Chinese Medicine, black beans are said to help tonify the kidneys, nourish yin/feminine energy, strengthen the heart, balance blood pressure and improve circulation. This is due to their supply of important nutrients like folate, resistant starch/fiber and anthocyanins. They are recommended for people dealing with conditions such as kidney disorder, back pain, knee pain, infertility, seminal emissions, blurry vision, ear problems and difficulty urinating."
Re anthocyanins, over the years I've noticed if I'm coming down with illness I'll get strong cravings for black or purple foods.
Just really commenting because I was surprised people are able to eat real potatoes and black beans on a keto diet. Sounds amazing. They would spike my blood sugars. I end up with a lot of eggs, fish, chicken, salad, celery, mushrooms, green veggies, greek yoghurt, cheese, avocados, avocado oil, almonds, almond flour. Chicken Caesar salad for breakfast rather than the oatmeal I would prefer. I use almond milk in my coffee. I feel that I need to eat fruits (berries) occasionally.
I recently sat at a wedding with another diabetic who also controlled his sugars with a continuous glucose meter and keto. We figured it out because we ordered the same meal and left the same foods on our plates. I think we ate the fish and green beans and left the carrots and potatoes. Of course everyone's situation is unique and I am not a medical expert. I am just interested in the keto-ish diet due to trying to figure out how to best address my own struggles with blood sugar.
Hi,
I assume you would have lots of help in America with managing diabetes, but I thought you may be interested in this website from Australia, it’s probably exactly the same as the info you already have, but who knows.
Regards Matildagirl
https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/living-with-diabetes/healthy-eating/