(Part 3) Top products from r/xxketo

Happy Saturday, ladies <3 I'm just going to take a moment long post to be thankful for keto allowing me to live a normal life. I was diagnosed with MS 2 years ago tomorrow, and I remember what life was like: I had to quit my job, not because I was incapable of working, but because I was incapable of even getting to work (wobbled on my bike, too tired to walk, and I couldn't hold myself upright on a moving bus), or standing for more than a few minutes. The last few nights I came home from work, I would immediately drop to my knees and crawl to the couch. I was eating MMJ oil from the minute I woke up until I literally couldn't stay awake, to control the muscle spasms that were so painful they took my breath away. Less than 2 months later, I had quit smoking and started dairy-free keto.

Possibly exacerbated by my recent foray into higher carb days (<50g), and definitely instigated by relationship stress, I'm having a real-life, honest-to-goodness MS flare up. My weird fit of crushing depression the other night, some new muscle spasms I'm not used to, and fuzzy vision in Mah Bad Eye all culminated in some extra special, Super Deluxe Fatigue that caused me to fall asleep ON the cohabitant last night (oops... at least it was ottoman style and not cuddly?). This sounds bad, but it's actually really wonderful!

The inexplicably suicidal meltdown startled me out of my veganism, and I've stayed under 15g carbs for two days now, so I'm feeling fine this morning. I worked 40 hours this week, and only felt like I needed to go home during my last 2 hours yesterday (I stuck it out). The fatigued pass-out last night resulted in a seriously great night of sleep, but I woke up after 9 hours without an alarm, happy to make my coffee and read the Daily. When I remember being blind in one eye and basically immobile, compared to running 20 miles a week, biking 50 miles a week, working full time, and passing out at 7pm after a long week, I can't even express how fucking excited I am. If this is MS, I'm going to be fine. My life isn't over at all!

Two arbitrary items for Daily relevance: I received the keto Nutella that /u/ketokate-o recommended, and let me just say Holy Forking Shirtballs that stuff is amazing. I'm glad it's a mail-order thing, and I can't just keep a full jar around, because I would absolutely polish off the entire thing in one sitting (I'm pretty sure that would be like 150g of fiber). Also, Cute Ex texted me yesterday, and I thought he wanted to ask about taking over my lease, but he asked me to hang out. Yes, Cute Ex, I would absolutely like to hang out with you and your cuteness (meep).

Everyone take good care of yourselves today, and always KCKO, because it may literally be the cure for what ails you!

I'm actually doing keto as a vegan, so I might be able to help you out some!

• For butter, I really like either Miyoko's Cultured Butter (you can find it at Trader Joe's if you live on the West Coast) or Earth Balance, which is more readily available at major supermarket chains. I'll also use avocado or olive oil for cooking.
  
  
• For milk, I use either Tempt Hemp Milk or, if I want a little extra protein boost, Ripple, which is made with pea protein. I buy the unsweetened original variety for both; Tempt has 1g net carb per 8 oz, Ripple has 0g net. I find the Tempt at markets like Whole Foods -- I buy my Ripple at Target.
  
  
• I use dairy-free cheeses very sparingly because they are higher in carbs than I'd like, but I've found that Chao (available at WF/some major supermarkets) is kinda the best bet.
  
  
• I eat mayo with most of my meals, usually either Vegenaise (I like the Pesto and Chipotle flavors) or Just Mayo. Vegenaise is another WF kinda find, but Just Mayo is really widely available (even Walmart sells it!). There's also dressings available from the same company that makes Just Mayo -- the Ranch and Caesar are both really tasty.
  
  
• Shelled hemp seeds are fantastic, too -- one 3 tbsp serving has 170 cal - 13g fat - 0g net carbs - 10g protein. I usually mix them in with whatever I'm eating since they have a pretty neutral flavor.
  
  Let me know if there are any dairy replacements that you're really interested in and I can probably point you in a good direction!

Copying and pasting for you my recommendations to a friend the other day who is starting Keto:

Your friends:
Avocados (very good fats + potassium), eggs, butter (I think you're allowed clarified butter on Whole30), veggies, fish, coconut oil (I get this at Costco), coconut milk (the pure stuff in a box or can), macadamia nuts (in limited quantities), Swerve / erythritol, sparkling water (La croix is fantastic), decaf or herbal tea - (green tea especially is great because it helps with fat-burning, balancing blood sugar, lowering appetite, and has lots of antioxidants), Cauliflower rice - this saves me, Roasted vegetables

Suggestions/links to purchase:

Magnesium supplement I use (should also help a bit with sleep)

Potassium additive - NoSalt or NuSalt - add it to your food if you're not getting enough Potassium in your diet (most people don't) - you can probably find this in the grocery store for less $$, but I don't know for sure

Decaf green tea I drink 3 times a day - it's decaffeinated with CO2, not chemicals, and it's organic.

SWERVE erythritol sweetener - 1 pack or 2 pack

STUR water flavor drops - for keto champagne or just to add to water

Miracle noodles - they are definitely available at Whole Foods, or you can also find them at a few asian grocery stores (shiritaki noodles). These taste bland and almost gross on their own, but if you add sauce and meatballs, they do a pretty good job of passing for spaghetti if you're desperate.

Silicone candy molds for keto fudge and other keto candies - they seem superfluous, but after you try making keto fudge in a regular pan, you'll realize how much easier these are for portioning and for getting out of the pan.

And finally, the INSTANT POT - I recommend this to everyone I know. My partner and I use it multiple times a week, it is amazing, it does everything. Pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, browner, yogurt maker (also makes julienne fries!!). Seriously you cannot go wrong with this thing.

Keto Recipes:

Keto Fudge

Keto champagne

Cauliflower Rice

Maria Emmerich has an impressive collection of recipes and I've been using the sweet ones especially for a craving / fat bomb

edit - formatting

Buy a new scale and keep it in one spot. You're already all over the map when you move it around, so I think your (not ridiculous) fear of the electric one is valid, but misguided. Scales actually read better when they stay in one spot and don't move around a lot. Also, the floor material can change the scale. Don't weigh on carpets, try to make sure the floor is level.

FWIW, I was also terrified about this when I just purchased my new scale which I absolutely love. I was weighing at the gym with one of those sliding balance ones and was convinced there was a five pound difference. Turned out to be half a pound, and easily attributed to user error. Because your scale is all over the map, think about the peace of mind you'll have once you get a digital scale that you will leave in one place to make sure it stays accurate. You got this!!!

Raw cacao butter has been the best thing I've ever bought for PMS. If I'm feeling fancy I melt it down with cocoa powder and liquid stevia, if I'm feeling lazy (which let's be honest, is most of the time) I just weigh out a portion, add a drop or two of chocolate flavored liquid stevia, and let it slowly melt in my mouth. Amazing.

Also, chocolate flavored protein powder. I get /r/ketochow, and make a single serving every morning for breakfast with just powder & water, no cream (dairy makes me hungry, I try to minimize it).

Other than that I really like iron rich foods, I get a container of chicken livers the week before and work my way through a couple ounces a day. Soooo satisfying.

I've always struggled with weekends too. The weekend overeating gets so sickening, doesn't it? Monday can be so disappointing. The thing that has helped me is that I finally got sick of my own behavior enough to do something about it. I had to really grasp the fact that everything I eat has a consequence. Every little thing. Either it will get me closer to my goal or further away. Having this awareness has helped a lot but that doesn't mean I still don't make choices that take me further from my goals. It happens and probably more than I'd really like - but the most important thing is that awareness has decreased the poor choices. Every little bit helps! Good luck to you. If I had one suggestion I would point you in the direction of Never Binge Again by Glen Livingston. The Kindle edition is free! That book shifted my perspective and helped me a lot. It really could be called, Never Overeat Again, because it's not just for binging.

ZMA is a zinc and magnesium supplement, like this: https://smile.amazon.com/Optimum-Nutrition-ZMA-180-Capsules/dp/B000GIQS02

Too little magnesium and you may not be able to go to the bathroom; too much and you won't be able to quit going. So, if you supplement it, start with a small amount and find what works for you.

Good luck at the doctor. Make sure they check your A1C and not just fasting glucose. My A1C was 5.9 before keto (honestly, probably higher at some point but I almost never went to the doctor) and is now 4.5. Stable blood sugar is a wonderful thing.

I've been using a scale I got from 'Etekcity' on amazon for $15 (currently at $18) and it's been working wonderful! Definitely one of my more favorite scales, especially for it being so cheap.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F3J9G1W/ref=s9_al_bw_g121_i2

Absolutely! Here you go :-)

I decided to not take any hormones or medications - I do take a lot of natural supplements tho. Since my hashi’s I’ve been taking a high variety probiotic (18 strains), high quality fish oil, collagen, a multivitamin and a product called ZMA (found on amazon )

I hope this is all helpful for you!!

Celestial Seasons has some fun holiday teas that I stock up on and drink all year long.

Gingerbread Spice

Sugar Cookie

Sweet Harvest Pumkin

Bigelow also has some good ones.

Pumpkin Spice

Egg Nogg'n

Apple Cider

Well, I love bacon with an undying passion, but at least I try to get creative with it sometimes :)

Typical breakfasts: leftovers, if there are no leftovers then cook bacon, if no time for cooking then see snack section

Smoothie which also makes a good breakfast: 1/2 avocado + 1 cup almond milk + 1 cup spinach/mild greens + handful of ice cubes + stevia to sweeten + whatever you want to flavor it with (vanilla, cinnamon, etc) ===> blend hardcore

Typical lunch (at the salad bar in the cafeteria at work): DIY guacamole by mashing an avocado and sprinkling in salt, serve over various salady things such as lettuce, cucumber, pile of olives, etc.

Typical dinners: fatty cut of meat such as ribeye, or fatty ground meat if I'm lazy, with some greens sauteed in my accumulated bacon grease, and crumbled bacon sprinkled in

Morning and/or afternoon and/or evening tea: make 2/3 cup of herbal tea and fill the rest with almond milk

Snacks I always keep on hand: canned olives, macadamia nuts, celery sticks+almond butter or guacamole, salami or sausages such as these "snack sticks", more bacon

Typical (only) dessert: coconut milk ice cream, made by pouring a can of coconut milk and a few drops of stevia into my magical ice cream maker. Have not tried it with bacon yet but that's always a possibility

Kraut juice would totally be good for electrolytes, it's basically all salt water with minerals. I'm thinking I might try making a batch myself, it doesn't look tough at all.

Yes hemp hearts! They are no net carb, high protein and this delish nutty flavor. I dump 3Tsp (a serving) on my salads. Just as good or better then nuts. Or sometimes just a little handful on my way out the door.

(Yep, I'm good on Vit D. My doc tests it for fertility reasons and I've supplemented for years. It does make a difference for sure)

I've had this one for over 10 years and love it. We use it to portion meat/fish weekly and it is sturdy and cleans up well. We also use it for weighing packages before shipping. https://www.amazon.com/Escali-Digital-Kitchen-Capacity-Increment/dp/B0007GAWRS/ref=sr_1_17?keywords=kitchen+scale&qid=1554142552&s=gateway&sr=8-17
If you're overdoing it on (salted) almonds and cheese, try having a pickle. This always helps me, even when I think my electrolytes are balanced.

If he just has to have some sort of beans, black soy beans are super low carb and a great replacement!

https://amazon.com/Eden-Organic-Black-Beans-15-Ounce/dp/B000GZS9Q6/

We got this one https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N9ENKDI as a milestone reward and I love it. Several looked good, but this one Auto synced for multiple users ( and can push to mfp). One unique thing is that it also keeps data private between users. My husband and I both use it, but he still has no idea what my numbers are ( thank goodness)!

I take this magnesium in the morning and natural calm magnesium citrate before bed because it helps me fall asleep. this too

not sure about calcium consumption

ChocZero are pretty good and 1 net carb per serving, maybe try these out.

I've never seen it in my local stores. I had to order on Amazon. I got this one:


NOW Super Primrose 1300 mg,120 Softgels https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018O8IQA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_9NwZzbHHBG2XX

This is the one I have. I like it because it syncs with the app and you can set up multiple users.

Bluetooth Smart Body Fat Scale by... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N9ENKDI?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

I like this one pretty well, it comes in a ton of colors if that's important to you. The button to switch measurements is on the display which is nice - my first cheap scale I liked better, it was flat and glass, but I had to flip it over to switch from lb/oz to g.

I actually had the opposite experience! My hormonal acne has been much better since starting keto, however, I also added the following to my routine around the same time:

Evening Primrose Oil pills

Prescription adapalene 0.1% at night (topical)

So, it's hard for me to say if any one thing, or a combination, helped my hormonal acne. I wanted to share just in case this helps you!

Amazon link! They have lots of flavors.
SweetLeaf Sweet Drops Liquid Stevia Sweetener, Chocolate, 2 Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H4HKNA4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_i0jXCbDWN1YYW

I have 6 - and my youngest 3 are under 3. So I feel you!

We get this kind - they are so good and literally I can h ave one of these and 1 string cheese and thats all I seem to ever need for my lunch. lol - https://www.amazon.com/Old-Wisconsin-Snack-Sticks-Ounce/dp/B007K687HA/ref=sr_1_2_s_it?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1494423523&sr=1-2&keywords=beef+sticks

https://www.amazon.com/Nutilight-Sugar-Hazelnut-Spread-Chocolate/dp/B00B5I1ZO6/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1536149466&sr=1-1&keywords=nutilight%2B-%2Bsugar%2Bfree%2B-%2Bhazelnut%2Bspread%2B%26%2Bdark%2Bchocolate&dpID=51e01PDcGHL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&th=1

I am so sorry for the addiction that is about to be unleashed. So, So sorry lol. I get the dark chocolate 2 pack which is currently out of stock.

Something like this:

Amazon link.

These brownies from Amazon may as well be marketed as an industrial laxitive. Never again!

IIFYM - it's obviously not fitting your macros =)

My breakfast consists of a quest bar and coffee with a TEAspoon of coffee booster and 2 TABLEspoons of cream along with a TEAspoon of swerve. Roughly 260 cals and i'm pretty full until lunch. BUT if i still get hungry i can still chow on some nuts ( i aim at 1200 cals w/ 3 meals at 400 cals each)

I want to mix this with this

ChocZeroTM 50% Dark Chocolate, Sugar Free Chocolate with No Sugar Alcohol and No Artificial Sweeteners, All Natural, Low Carb - (3 Bags, 30 Pieces) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LQYCRWW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_LXPDybDCX7PXA

Here's one link:
http://www.teavana.com/the-teas/rooibos-teas/p/spiced-apple-cider-rooibos-tea
And another cheaper version:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000Z4TDXQ?pc_redir=1410437595&robot_redir=1

So I've dabbled in fat fasts (specifically the Bulletproof RFLP) and eat zero carb at a 60/40-70/30 fat/protein ratio and I've found that it happens as you're becoming fat adapted. Even somebody who isn't doing keto in hardcore mode is going to have some kind of reaction to their digestive needs totally changing. Try Betaine HCl tablets!

I use this one. Strips are expensive though, usually $1 sometimes a little more. I buy them on Ebay. Just snatched 50 strips for $50.98

https://www.amazon.com/DSS-Precision-Glucose-Results-Included/dp/B00JIK6CIW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1538832735&sr=1-3&keywords=precision+xtra+meter&dpID=4177SJEqI8L&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&th=1&linkCode=sl1&tag=quanbob-20&linkId=4a88f3cae3851645388c2734822b74d0&language=en_US

is this the one?
https://www.amazon.com/DSS-Precision-Glucose-Results-Included/dp/B00JIK6CIW/ref=sr_1_10_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1520632352&sr=1-10&keywords=ketone+blood+meter

I'm drinking mine right now too! Although I mainly use this during the week when I'm at work. At home on the weekends I make it with coconut oil, kerrygold butter and cinnamon and it's so good. Love BPC.

Black soy beans! They're kind of hard to find in the wild but they're readily available on Amazon.

So I just started using this as was the recommendation on a Facebook group I'm in. I can't figure out though if it's a good thing or not as I've been retaining fluid like crazy. I think maybe I'm not drinking enough water with this amount of electrolyte. Not sure. Still in trial and error phase.

Also it tastes nasty but I just take a slightly diluted shot in some Bai and then chug water. You only need 1tsp.


[trace minerals brand electrolyte concentrate. ](Trace Minerals 40,000 Volts, 8-Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Z98KF8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_sJhhzbCF6FCTX)

I've been keto almost 4 months and have avoided making or using carb replacement type items. But the last few days I've had a terrible hankering for my old comfort food- spaghetti with meaty sauce and bread to sop it up. So, I got some miracle noodles, bought the lowest carb sauce I could find in my grocery store, and made this for the first time today.
I left out the cinnamon and added Italian herbs instead. The taste was similar to a very hearty multigrain bread but the texture was more like a moist, fluffy cornbread muffin, that slight cornbread-like graininess but surprisingly fluffy. Lots of fiber in it so the net carbs is quite low. So, you might try this or look for similar recipes that can fulfill your taste and texture cravings while still keeping keto. There's so many options out there to experiment with there's really no reason to feel deprived.

These were the culprits! https://www.amazon.com/Doctors-CarbRite-Diet-Chocolate-Brownie/dp/B000G8399A/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1478181457&sr=8-1&keywords=low+carb+brownies

Like I said, I've had them before with no issue, but this time was just insane!