Why I Quit Keto and What I Wish I Did Differently (sincerely) 

Age 82, and I recently opted for 35g. of protein within an hour of getting up. After a week of trying to get 100 g. Protein every day, my weight is the same, but my waist and hips dropped an inch each. This made my lean mass four pounds greater on the BMI calculator. More muscle…At this age, keeping muscle is a high priority. Dr. Lyman interview convinced me to be consistent with protein intake, especially in the a.m. No more fasting at this age. I cannot afford to lose muscle.

Best thing about keto is fat keeps you feeling full. No will power needed. As soon as I start eating sugar, cravings again.

I stopped strict keto over a year ago. It's not a big deal. Keep it low carb and eat healthy and excercise!!! GO THOMAS GO!!!

I love how you're always willing to learn and adjust when it makes sense. There's way too many channels that make things dogmatic.

Whatever you're doing now, you're looking healthier than ever. You looked so tired in some of your older videos. Thank you for all your help and passing along your knowledge over the years, we really appreciate all that you do!

Ladies be carful with keto and fasting - I was for a year and a half.. it was great.. until it wasn’t. Raised stress hormones. Now adding fruit, raw milk potatoes (three meals a day and earring right away upon waking) and slowly healing

The refined approach is wonderful if you don’t suffer from a binge eating disorder. Any kind of refined carbs and sugar will set me off, even fruits. I’ve literally eaten 5 full-size grapefruits in one sitting. Once my brain gets hijacked, dopamine receptors become overloaded, and leptin levels become blocked, I become a passenger in my own body while my brain is the driver. Keto has literally saved my life.

I think if done correctly and cleanly, keto is a most excellent reset for the body. Doesn't have to be a forever thing. Maybe a 1 or 2 year thing to get us back on track and heal ourselves from many years of less than great dietary choices.

I’ve been keto for over 27 years. I focus on high protein, I’ve always eaten organ meat, I help my clients learn to do keto for their “why.” If they have epilepsy, they do keto WAY different than someone who wants to reverse type 2 diabetes.

It’s crazy to criticize Thomas for this change in his thinking! He is more than capable of learning with new information coming out, and he is to be respected for being forthcoming on all this.

Happy for you. Been with you for years. Glad you’re at this point in your life.

I must say I have a lot more respect for you now. You're open to seeking information and not stuck in your way like other keto-ers out there. Balance.

My FAVORITE video of yours YET!!!! Those who have traveled this road a while can fully appreciate your transparency!!!

Bodies change. Food changes. Low carb is still the healthiest option for me. I read original Atkins the whole plan and there is a thing called carb tolerance. Mine is 30 g a day. There is diabetes in my family. Low carb keeps it at bay.

Did strict keto for almost 8 years and had an amazing reversal of insulin resistance. As I added small amounts of carbs back in - namely berries, dark chocolate, veggies, etc. I just seemed to feel better. But at the same time I didn’t realize that as I increased the carbs the fat had to go down. Once I learned this, it was a big game changer.

After i was through the menopause, in my late 50s, i started to gain weight steadily. Im in my 70s now. I was strict keto from 66-69, thought i could risk more than 20g of carbs a day and my sweet cravings became far more than I'd had previously! My weight ballooned by 8 kg, my inflamed joints came back.So, im sticking with keto, to keep the sweet cravings away. I eat a wide variety of foods, including cold cooked potatoes, just no deserts.

Some of us don’t have the option to stop strict keto. I have epilepsy and getting off of meds. Yes red meat and lots of it. But I have to keep my fats up too. Don’t forget about us few that are not doing keto, just because.

I was waiting for the commercial for the Pills when Thomas announced the need for multivitamin. LOL

Everyone pivoting 😂 I love it. Let's admit we all got a little dogmatic and it was a "blind leading the blind" phenomenon. Stay flexible, humble and wise my friends.

One of your best videos ever, huge respect for this. Thr best thing about the scientific method is the continuous learning. General updates like this now and then are so invaluable.

Good video. This is about real life and what works for you as an individual. So many tend to get hung up on what they look like, or strictly adhering to a path, that they lose track of what is really important, which is how you actually feel all day every day - mentally and physically.

Thank you Thomas for sharing what you’ve learned from your experience. Great info.

Appreciate the genuine real-world perspective and the ability to question your own beliefs and biases is a sign of true intelligence. Well done.

its hard to go straight into just eating 100% healthy, you definitely did a good job in your health journey and guided people in the right direction

Great minds think alike!😄 I came to mostly the same conclusions that you've mentioned above, especially about the balance of saturated fats to protein. I would occasionally get diarrhea or symptoms of GERD when I would overdo my Sat. Fat content. Also, being a Senior, I've heard from a variety of sources that the older you get, the more protein you should consume. That's why I consider myself more Ketovore than straight Keto now, though I do retain veggies like Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Artichoke Hearts, Broccoli, Avocado and Asparagus, to get in more potassium (I'm not a big 'salad' person). Lastly, I too have realized I should "march to the beat of my own drum", and that it's OK to occasionally 'ditch' the Keto. As a matter of fact, I learned recently that even on non-fasting, non-Keto, "Carb Pig-Out" Days, mostly around holidays, that If I limit the carbs to just one or two days, I can get right back onto Keto/Ketovore without as much lingering 'cravings' as would happen previously when I would 'fall off the wagon." Thanks for giving us 'Keto-Freaks' permission to do it our own way and trying out different things to personalize our own journeys.

Love it brother. You've always shot things straight with us and we all appreciate. I'm currently on the R2M Protocol and its basis is exactly what you just cleared up about dirty keto and just eat in cleaner ways (high quality protein, low carbs (unless complex carbs), fiber and water... That's all you need, but can we reprogram to make this life altering change... the food industry clearly doesn't have our health in mind and big pharma wants it that way... thanks man.

We have also adopted the same mindset. You look great. Glad you are doing so well. It's a journey for sure and lots of great learning along the way. Thanks for all your videos Thomas.

Thanks for your honesty and detail. I really admire your integrity. 😊

Sounds a lot more like Dr. Paul Saladino. Could you possibly do a video on what and how you eat now? What kind of foods you consider worth eating? I'm eating mainly eggs which I separate into the whites and add 2 yolks, red meat, chicken etc, some onion, garlic, mushrooms, tomatoes, pumpkin seeds, sauerkraut and kimchi. Drinking probiotic milk, kifer. So mostly it's turning into a body-builder's diet.

Hey Dude, your timing on this video couldn't be more perfect for me and it's my new favorite. I've limited the amount of content that I watch to just a couple of people in each area that I'm interested in and you're my #1 in nutrition. Your honesty and insight are truly appreciated and have helped me change my life. I'm at a similar point in my keto journey and your updates have been incredibly helpful. Your research and dedication have guided me to find what works best for me and I appreciate it. Keep up the great work and Thanks for being my go-to nutrition guru!

Glad you found what works for you and encouraging others to find what works for them.... great health wisdom

Thank you for sharing your reflections, your honesty is much appreciated.

Another point if you look at the "keto like diet" studies. Where they gave them fats as well as what they consider low carb but is actually over 50g, something like 100-200g instead of 400g of carbs a day. Mixing fats and this amount of carbs turned their health markers bad. I would like to see a video addressing this.

Your content and delivery are ALWAYS so valuable - THANK YOU, Thomas!! I think, unless a person is tracking - or at least, has tracked for a period of time to get a real grasp on the nutrients they're getting from food, they should take a multivitamin. I have been tracking basically every morsel that goes into my mouth with Cronometer (I LOVE DOING IT - it's not a chore for me at all - more of a fun, rewarding challenge), and it's extremely difficult to hit all of the micronutrient targets - and I work at it. I take a multivitamin that calls for taking 4 capsules a day, but because I do know what I'm getting in food, I only need to take 1 instead - and then also add D3, Fish Oil, Magnesium, K2 & extra Potassium - and occasionally zinc. Getting enough potassium is really difficult - as is choline (I eat 1 egg a day, so come close, but usually I don't get to 100%).

Been following you for a long time and it’s great to see you reflect on your protocol

Career trainer here (CSCS since 2002). Found the channel recently and really enjoying the content. Very helpful for myself and clients.

Keto gave me a very disordered view of food. Restricting carbs for long periods always ended up with me bingeing. Made me fatter than ever cause I would over eat lower carb foods, gaining and losing 10-12 lbs over and over. Now eating 200 carbs a day in comparison to the “20 per day” and having lots more energy to lift weights. Counting macros is more sustainable for me, down 50 lbs.

Quality protein from sources like fish, meat, eggs, skyr, greek yogurt, cottage cheese, whey, kefir and cheese is the foundation of my keto diet. I try to always get the full fat varieties of these foods. Walnuts have the best omega 6:3 ratio among nuts so I will eat those for satiety. I try to eat a big salad for lunch every day and sprinkle on some nutritional yeast. I agree with what you said about prioritizing potassium (I think the r/keto gatekeepers have it backwards regarding the ratio of sodium to potassium).

Thank you for this video and information, Thomas. It was very reassuring and helpful.

Nice video, thank you for the honesty, very refreshing

Ketosis works very well for me, personally.. (Mentally, energetically, and so for productivity). I just don't do it all of the time... And yes, I prefer the MAD version.. As for potassium, I just have a large avocado most days..

Five years of Carnivore Diet for me. I occasionally have fruit, but definitely no veggies or starches. I agree on the protein. It is the most important.

I've been lowering oxalates and increasing protein. How do you manage your oxalates and do you keep track of high and low oxalate fruit and vegetables?

Thank you. These are all great points. I also felt after doing strict for 3yrs the downfall was not enough greens and mixed colour veggies. Lastly I would really like to know would you omit taking MCT oil long term?

Are you seriously promoting your friend's beef liver capsules as a "multivitamin"? And I would like to see some sources about heme-iron being "extremely healthy"..

I would really like to see a video of what you eat in a day 😊 And an extra point to what kind of carbs you consume to get your 100-120 grams of carbs.

Great video, very refreshing! Love your sense of nuance and honesty and what you’re able to recalibrate or change your mind on, and asking other people about that too!

So whats your latest thoughts on how much protein per pound of bodyweight and macros in general

I'm still doing keto for weight loss because I let myself go for a few years but I was recently coming to the conclusion that when I get close to the shape I want to be in I will be doing roughly the same thing. Fresh fruits on occasion and honey in my smoothie when I am just sick of my recipe (using Dr Rhonda's)

With an exercise nut like Thomas, I always take his comments with a grain of salt. I’ll never burn the calories like he does so my macro intake still has to be low carb. And like he says we need to do our own thing.

Best video of yours yet! Thanks for the great advice.

Been following you for many years. Always appreciate your willingness to check yourself, correct yourself and simply be honest.

I eat keto but almost carnivore. Breakfast generally fried eggs and bacon, lunch sirloin steak, dinner ribeye steak with a peeled grilled zucchini. Works well currently. The vast majority of foods cause stomach discomfort and bloating. But these work for me.

The libido issue was one of the main things that got me off keto. When I stuck to it things just didn't work well. I am better off with more veggies, fruit, and high protein.

Thanks enjoyed this info .

Thanks for this, Thomas. I appreciate your openness and willingness to change and grow. I have done a somewhat similar shift. Have always been thin, but when I found my A1C indicated near pre-diabetes (5.7), tried LCHF. Felt great & A1C went down to 5.2, but then my electrolytes tanked so started adding back carbs. Now my A1C is 6.2. Argh! I think it might be that effect you mentioned which is that too much sat fat can increase insulin resistance. Do you have experience helping ppl improve their A1C in such situations? Would love to see a video on that from you.

wondering when you'll back peddle on seed oils next

The full cycle is when you clean up diet, try keto, try carnivore, then come all the way back to 250g carbs daily and still stay lean, feel great, and thrive. I had issues with weight my whole life, did the whole circle I mentioned, now I'm healthy and fit with 250g carbs daily. All those who shy away are missing out.

Thank you for being so honest!

Wow- yes!👍 thank you for your candid chat!!!!

I'd love to hear more about your approach!

Dude sells more product than anyone online

Beef liver contains too much vitamin A and copper to eat regularly. Vitamin A toxicity is real although some are more sensitive than others. And that much copper will easily create an imbalance. It's not really much of a multivitamin, it's mainly just way too much of a few things.

Really fantastic video, thank you for all of your efforts

Thanks Thomas for your transparency & honesty about your journey from beginning Keto to the present. I started with you early on in your podcast and have admired the info you presented. However, maybe a year ago I noticed a change in your appearance. You look so much healthier now. Thanks again for always trying to give us the best, with complete honesty 😊!

But doing it like that is it not putting you in the grey area? I either go full carb, or full keto. If I go half carb, I end up feeling hungry all day, then get irritable when I am switching back to ketosis, but once back in ketosis irritability goes away as well as hunger.

It’s all about money 💵

I appreciate your honest speak. Good, bad or ugly I love your approach. Thank you.

Who makes a good multi vitamin? Im talking NO synthetic crap fillers ect.

And my complaints, when you say saturated fat is bad without actually explaining why, I'm gonna tune out. When you comment on the color of foods related to health, I'm gonna tune out.

Thank you for this video!

I really respect how willing you are to admit that you were wrong. A very scientific approach.

You did what is called DIRTY KETO. I'm 78 and have been carnivore for over a year. I eat almost all red meat - mainly beef, bison, lamb, occasionally pork and occasionally dark meat chicken . I add potassium, magnesium, and salt. Plus Vit D3 and K2. Zero processed food or sweeteners of any kind.

That's exactly what Jillian Michaels has been saying for years, and the entire keto community went after her, accusing her of being uninformed.

If a person is young, healthy, fit, then keto is not necessary but low carb will keep good health and energy. Protein should be the most important. Agreed. Strict keto is best for T2D, T1D, epilepsy, cancer, metabolic disorders.

Best clean carbs around workouts?

I’m curious about how much Paul Saladino influenced this decision

All your videos just feel like commercials now very disappointing

thank you, this is extremely helpful

Could you give samples of your current diet?

So, Dr Berg's healthy keto is the best. It has all. I knew it.

I know there are alit of doctors out there really pushing the keto and carnivore diet hard but I’m not sure that is really necessary when all you need to do is being high protein moderation of fat and low carb

I’m on medical keto so I don’t think I’ll ever stop keto. I eat macadamia or Pili nuts for breakfast and lunch, and then I have red meat for dinner. I make my keto treats (peanut butter cups, and keto bounty bars). I guess I’m doing okay. I don’t eat a lot of butter. I love it though. I give myself a treat day with steak cooked in butter every other weekend. Thanks for all your tips! I found the video very informative. I might start tracking cortisol now. I never thought of that. Have a great weekend, Thomas!

Best vid yet, well done and appreciated Thomas

Nah!!! I'm not a quitter! Besides, if I change diets, acne kicks in! However, protein is still part of my diet!

Hey Thomas. (Tom? Cmon, you’re not a Thomas!) I just wanted to thank you for all the information over the last year. You, Bobby, and a lot of other people on RU-vid have helped me on my health journey you’re the last year. I call it my health journey on purpose. I have a long way to go on exercise in particular a better diet. But for how “sloppy“ my journey has been I have still lost 100 pounds in a year. And that is in large part. Thanks to you. You rule, my brotha!

Every day i am taking 5gr of sodium + 4gr of potassium (to retain water and not damage the kidneys), 500mg magnesium, 15mg zinc, 10K UI of D3 per week and multivitamin, because i am on KETO. I should include omega 3 oil in my diet too and this week i will also add MCT C8 oil in my diet.

Thank you for this honest and clear message ❤😂. Rare these days. Just subscribed 😊

The acceptance of carbs is direcrly proportional to the muscle mass we have. Because otherwise carbohydrates will harm us more than help us.

at different stages of life our bodies need different things. sounds like you are transitioning from a high energy life in the 20/30's to a more stable muscle maintenance life in the 30/40's. body age has a lot to do with our diet and life maintenance. looking forward to your comments about late 50 to mid 60's

Honest, humble, and real. 👍

Congrats!

I think that for some people and their health situation, an elimination diet of keto, carnivore, or lion is necessary for improvement of conditions, but after a while clean carbs should brought back in moderation.

Have you ever looked into eating right for your blood type?

Thank you for sharing this information video.

great video! Can you please add a link to your interview with Jacob Torrez? I searched your name and Jacob Torrez, but I could not find anything. I would like to know more about the potassium/sodium ratio. Also if you know of any papers that talk about the ratio, I would like to see links to that. Thanks.

Thomas / keto saved your life ! Easy to speak now like that- anyway… don’t like ways you going this days and guests prove it! Still listening but only with one ear 👂

I always felt like keto was an ideal intervention diet to help people with advanced "metabolic syndrome" symptoms or fatty liver etc

Just curious if you eat vegetables regularly because many of them are low carb and high in nutrients?

How do you check your cortisol?