I’m baaack!! Has it really been nearly four years??

Wow! here it is 2023, and last I looked, the world is still spinning! We made it through some tough times, and I’ll admit, I got caught up in it all. I survived my bout with Covid in late 2019, and I attribute that to my diet, sun soaked location of West Texas, and O negative blood. More on that in a later story.

Since then, I swung from the keto lifestyle to carnivore, and now pressing on to Keto-vore. My main reasoning is, tracking my macros on Keto was exhausting, although I made good health progress. I switched to carnivore to ease the need to track macros, and it was wonderful, for me…but, I got lazy with snacking and ballooned back up to my pre keto weight. Now, I am 100% keto-vore, and love it! Weight is dropping, energy is solid, clarity is better than ever! So I wanted to take you through the three lifestyles I encountered and what I found the pro’s and con’s to be.

A low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet called the “keto diet” or “ketogenic diet” aims to induce a state of ketosis in the body, where the liver produces ketones to be utilized as an energy source. To achieve this, one drastically reduces their intake of carbohydrates, consuming 20-50 grams of carbohydrates per day instead of the 225-325 grams recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and increases their consumption of healthy fats. Following this diet is said to bring about benefits such as weight loss, better control of blood sugar, and increased energy levels. However, its restrictions and appropriateness for all must be taken into account, making it advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before starting a new diet.

The “carnivore diet” is a dietary approach that is primarily or exclusively composed of animal products such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy, while completely avoiding plant-based foods including vegetables and fruits. This regimen is claimed by its adherents to improve health, reduce inflammation, and promote weight loss. They believe that animal products alone can provide all the necessary nutrients, including protein, vitamins, and minerals, and even help with autoimmune diseases. However, critics point out that it is excessively restrictive, lacking in fiber and other vital nutrients found in plant-based diets, and could lead to potential health issues due to high consumption of red meat and saturated fats. It is also essential to emphasize that the carnivore diet should only be followed under the guidance of a healthcare professional and that the animal products should come from high-quality sources such as grass-fed or pasture-raised animals.

Combining the ketogenic diet with the carnivore diet results in the “ketovore diet.” This diet centers on animal-based foods, such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy, and incorporates healthy fats like avocado, olive oil, and coconut oil while avoiding carbohydrates and processed foods. Fruits and vegetables that are high in carbohydrates are also avoided, with the goal of maintaining ketosis while eating only animal-based foods. Followers of the ketovore diet believe that it leads to weight loss, better digestion, and higher energy levels. However, this diet may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with certain medical conditions, and consulting with a healthcare professional before starting it is always recommended.

Ok, first caution, find a healthcare professional that aligns with your view and comfortableness. Not all doctors are the same, and I encourage all of us, to be your best patient advocate! But depending on your overall health, and your level of OCD, all of these diets I would heavily recommend. I find my days listening to Dr. Ken Berry, Dr. Eric Berg, and lately, Dr. Sten Ekberg. All have amazing informational videos on YouTube. I want to interject this comment, that does make a difference in the lifestyle I chose, that I also include intermittent fasting as part of my daily regime. Its amazing how productive I am without having to stop for breakfast, or lunch, occasionally. More on that, in a later article!

The second caution, these lifestyles are not for all persons. Due to each persons physical, psychological or moral views, its just not a viable situation. Every person is different in their makeup, and it really takes an effort to make these lifestyles work. God bless ya, and I hope you find what works for you!

Lastly, I want to thank all of you that has supported my five year journey, and I hope I bring you real life results that show not only the ups and downs. Because without our failures, we would not have the great successes. Be well, and as always, keep moving forward and believe in yourself!!