The First-Hand Experiment
As you may have noticed in other articles, I do my best to share personal experiences whenever possible. Some time ago, I tried keto diet for a 10-day fun time to provide you my firsthand perspective.
Why only 10 days?
A last minute company weekend retreat, with its set menus (with plenty of carbs) and social expectations, forced me to cut my experiment short. “Sorry, no rice and no beer for me, I’m on keto” just wouldn’t have fit that setting and would have put me in a weird spotlight that I definitely wanted to avoid.
The 10-Day Keto Experiment: A Short But Brutal Journey
Ten days might seem like a short window, but for my lifestyle (very important detail), it felt like an eternity on the keto diet.
As someone who thrives and loves his breakfast routine of chocolate oatmeal porridge, peanut butter toast, and protein powered up fruit smoothies, the switch to keto was a kick in the nuts (thankfully, a healthy fat!) as I didn’t quite know what to eat then.
On top of that I also decided to do intermittent fasting (what is it? Read here) to speed up running out of stored glycogen and enter ketosis faster.
So actually, no breakfast for me at all. 🙁
The Challenges
Juggling Keto with My Messy Schedule and Lifestyle
Adding to the already high difficulties of being fasted and on a no-carbs diet, my daily routine was a whirlwind of intense evening workouts (lifting weights and karate), short and bad sleep (and sleep IS fundamental, read why here), and a demanding 9-to-5 job.
Finding enough affordable, high-quality fats in large quantities proved to be a challenge (avocados in Japan are notoriously expensive and tiny!). To compensate, my diet became heavily reliant on meat, some fish, a lot of processed cheese, protein powder and a significant amount of coffee to feel full and get some extra kick of energy.
Sacrifices and Social Anxiety
With a heavy heart, I had to say goodbye to my beloved oatmeal and fruit smoothies. I even attempted to add a “treat” of 99% Lindt dark chocolate – as it’s keto friendly – but anyone who has tried it knows it’s not exactly a delightful sweet indulgence.
Social occasions became a source of anxiety. Lunch with colleagues or dinner with friends meant meticulously analyzing menus and nutritional information beforehand to ensure I could pick the lowest carb and highest fat options.
I vividly recall spending 20 minutes at a restaurant picking the “perfect” cut of meat, scrutinizing online nutrition facts while my friends stared, increasingly convinced I’d turned into an alien (or an idiot, you pick).
The Toll on My Wellbeing both Physical and Mental
The effects on my well-being were undeniable. My energy levels plummeted, hunger pangs became constant companions, and my irritability spiked.
During a two-day outdoor exhibition where I had to support sales activities, after the first long day of work our team leader treated everyone to Beard Papa’s famous cream puffs. While I desperately wanted one, staying keto meant I had to sadly give mine away. I still regret it by the way
Keto Flu and Unforeseen Consequences
Going all-in with a maximum of 20 grams of carbs per day (basically, half a banana) while maintaining my intense training schedule was the perfect recipe for the “keto flu“.
When your body has to switch from using glycogen for energy to ketones you might feel sick (sometimes very sick) and have all the symptoms of a flu without actually having a flu. Some people have it really bad and very long thankfully mine was short-lived, but certainly not pleasant.
Since I couldn’t get my hands on a testing kit, I can’t be absolutely certain I entered ketosis, I believe I was there but not having data leaves it at that. Additionally, ten days is likely not enough time to fully experience the benefits of keto. However, let me share my results:
- Weight Loss: I did definitely lose some weight and appeared much leaner. This was likely due to the combination of a steep calorie deficit and water weight loss.
- Health Concerns: Unfortunately, my blood lipid panel worsened, which I suspect is linked to the heavily relying on processed and unhealthy fat sources.
- Mental and Social Impact: Constant food anxiety and hunger significantly impacted my mental health and relationship with food. The stress of considering maintaining keto during a company weekend trip solidified my decision to return to a more normal diet, a decision that brought back immense relief and joy.
The Verdict: Keto diet and Me? Not a Match
Was keto the right choice for me at that time?
Probably not.
Would I consider it again?
Most likely not.
I’m not a fan of overly restrictive diets that eliminate foods with clear physical and mental health benefits. Also I don’t like the idea that I have to be forced to eat or not to eat something when I hang out with friends and certainly I don’t want to be *that guy* that makes finding a restaurant to have dinner together a semi-impossible task.
Keto: A Consideration for You?
If you can seamlessly integrate keto into your social life without compromising your physical and mental well-being, it might be worth trying if it works for you. However, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you have a specific medical condition and are under the guidance of a qualified professional – not some Instagram “keto guru” trying to sell you useless supplements and meal plans.
