Ask Our Keto Nutritionist: Diet Soda, Counting Calories, & Diabetes
Got questions you wish you could ask a nutritionist who “gets” keto?
We’ve partnered with a tried and true keto nutritionist who’s dedicated to helping people live their best lives through the ketogenic diet. What’s more, to best support our ketogenic community, each week, we’ll answer your questions! Please note that we’re not doctors, so if you have any questions, please consult with your trusted medical partner.
How bad is diet soda for a Keto diet? And does it count towards your water intake goal?
I recommend limiting diet sodas and artificially sweetened beverages as much as possible. Having a diet soda on special occasions is fine but should not be a daily habit. I also don’t like to include diet sodas as part of water intake goals as I want to encourage people to avoid artificially processed drinks and consume more water.
Keto is about living and fueling your body well with nourishing foods and beverages. Some artificial sweeteners have shown to increase cravings and insulin, which may kick you out of ketosis and delay feeling awesome.
Collin has also found this to be true and has some great tips for kicking cravings to the curb here.
If I’m also limiting my calories, what are the most nutrient-dense keto foods?
I typically don’t recommend limiting calories for weight loss as studies show this may actually lower your metabolism hindering weight loss. Weight gain is related to hormone imbalances, which a low-carb, high-fat diet, such as the ketogenic diet, can help by stabilizing insulin (a fat-storage hormone). Most people who live keto lifestyles find they can consume significantly more calories while still losing weight effortlessly.
Some nutrient-dense foods include fresh non-starchy vegetables and fruits, healthy fats (avocado, olive and coconut oils), beef, pork, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, and nuts.
My Mom is Type II diabetic. Can she do Keto?
Research has shown that low-carb, high-fat diets such as keto can significantly stabilize blood sugars and insulin levels in people with Type II diabetes (see the article Is the Keto Diet Healthy and Safe?).
Got questions you’d like to ask a keto nutritionist? Let us know!
Please explain how to count collagen in protein macros numbers. It’s my understanding that collagen is not a complete protein, so do you count the entire amount of grams towards protein or not?
Hi Debbie! No, we don’t count collagen any differently than the other macros. Hope that helps!
I am an insulin dependant diabetic. When I go low I have to eat sugar and now that I’m doing keto this is happening more often. I’m afraid this will continue to kick me out of ketosis. Can I still succes do this way of eating?
Hi there! Be sure to consult with your doctor as they would know what is best for you!
Lesley, my husband has type 2 and we started keto almost three months ago. Over the first month he repeatedly had low sugar and had to eat something fast, usually just a spoon of peanut butter would bring him up. After talking to his doctor he lowered his insulin dose by half. As he got further into ketosis he started getting lows again. He went back to his doc and they took him off all his meds. Keep track of your numbers and show your doctor. If you’re going through lows you may need too have your meds adjusted. You definitely don’t want keto and meds fighting each other.
Question! I’ve heard conflicting information about counting carbs from vegetables. Some say you don’t need to and some say you do. I have always been cautious and counted my carbs from vegetables. I usually try to avoid carrots and obviously starchy vegetables such as potatoes. Thoughts?
Great question! Definitely count the carbs and you can deduct the fiber if you follow a net carb versus total carb regimen.
what kicks you out of ketosis? Going over carbs – and how much? Or eating something with sugar, wheat? If you have a processed food that is sweetened with sucralose or say maltitol, will that kick you out? Can you do an article about things that kick you out of ketosis, please?
Hi, ekanne! Thanks so much for the request! Great post topic! In the meantime, here are some others you may find helpful!
https://hip2keto.com/tips/get-rid-high-carb-foods-before-starting-keto/
https://hip2keto.com/tips/keto-tips-personalize-hack-diet/
https://hip2keto.com/tips/keto-nutritionist-ketones-symptoms-ketosis/
Hope that helps!